first challenges with the old boat
heres the obvious problem. the cedar has left the front curly woody thing and has split a bit.
that whole bottom cedar board probably needs replacing. it has also dropped about 3/8 of and inch because of the next issue
see that crack? seems to be part of the pull away of the boards from the bottom.
this is the inside of the front of the boat
this is what the back of the boat looks like
and this is the inside of the back
and another random inside shot.
not sure if i can fix any of it. well see.
I’m wondering if this is constructed using canoe-style construction. The inner frames are very broad (for a boat this size), similar to how canoes are/were built. In that construction mode they (the frames) serve as a foundation to receive what are called “clench” nails (I think) – copper nails that are driven through from the outside, through the exterior plank, into the inner frame and the nail is “clenched” (essentially bent) by bucking the nail from the inside with a heavy metal object (there are special bronze “irons” but you can use the face of a hammer). http://www.wcbguild.com/canoeconstruction.html. Was it fiberglass or canvas that you removed? I ask as, the green-painted canvas would be a pretty traditional canoe build/design. May be important because repairing the issues at the stem and at the keel might depend on how the planks were fastened. Probably copper nails of canoe construction, bronze or galvanized screws if boat construction. The thickness of the planks will be critical too – pretty thin (like 1/4″ if canoe) and thicker (3/8″ to 3/4″ if boat). That thickness may determine how you are able to re-fasten the planks. Hope this is helpful . . .