Another fiberglass canoe repair question...

[littlewolfrus]

Hi everyone! I just got a canoe and thought I'd ask about tips to strengthening and repairing it.
It's a 14 foot Abitibi fiberglass canoe. I've already patched up a few scrapped up areas on the outside (mainly on the keel). Those were more preemptive repairs and overall the hull is in good shape.

It seems to me like there's something missing. I haven't taken it out on the water yet but it feels pretty wobbly/bendy. Shouldn't there be more crossmembers along the top?

Also, around the lip (not sure what you call it) of the canoe, shouldn't there be wood or something? Right now it's just the fiberglass that kinda doubles back to form a lip.

So-I plan on repainting the hull. Is there anything out there that would give it a bit more strength and rigidity in terms paint or clear coats/epoxies (that's also not too expensive)?

And there's a crack at the edge of one of the ribs inside and a crack on the lip of the canoe any recommendations on properly fixing that?

Thank you in advance for any advice or help!

 

[Canoe Reefs]

Paint with Epoxy from a boat type store then you can light sand then polish with a buffer and buffing compound. First I would grind out the damaged parts and hand lay fiberglass mat with resin to fill in the bad cracks. Make sure you grind out all the damage so it don't spread fiberglass is very forgiving and easy to patch.

 

[Jim Dodd]

Any areas that seem weak, especially on the inside, should be reinforced with cloth and Epoxy resin. Sand the area to be repaired, before applying patch and Epoxy !
Jim