To strengthen and stiffen the hull a center thwart, or cross bar, should be run across the canoe amidships. A piece of oak or ash, ³⁄₈ in. thick and tapering from 2 in. in the center to 1 in. at the ends, should be screwed to the lower side of the gunwale. Although not exactly essential, it is a good plan to run another thwart across the canoe just back of the forward seat, and a rear thwart some 3 ft. forward of the rear seat, or paddling bar. This will make the craft very stiff when a heavy load is carried, and likewise prevent the lightly constructed hull from sagging, or “hogging,” when stored for the winter.
Fig. 13
The Manner of Shaping the Ends of the Canvas to Fit over the Canoe Ends
Applying the Canvas
The canvas is put on with marine glue, the black kind being the best for this particular purpose. Before gluing the canvas, lay it smoothly on the hull and trim so that it will fold nicely at the stems, as shown in [Fig. 13]. Melt the glue in a can over a moderately hot fire and spread it on one side of the canvas with a stiff brush. Of course, the glue will be too thick to spread evenly, but be sure to apply it as evenly as possible, and touch every bit of the canvas with a fairly heavy coating of glue. Lay the glued canvas in place, and iron with a moderately hot flatiron. This melts the glue, and the canvas will adhere smoothly to the planking. Finish by tacking the edge of the canvas along the edge of the gunwales, and fold the canvas as smoothly as possible at the stem, and tack in place, running the line of tacks exactly down the center line of the stem.
Fenders or Covering Strips
Fenders of ¹⁄₂-in. round molding may be tacked on to cover the edge of the canvas, or a strip, 1 in. wide, may be sawed from the same material as the planking and tacked to cover the edge by using 1¹⁄₄-in. brads every 2 or 3 in. along the edge.
Stem Bands and Outside Keel
The stem bands may be made from wood if desired and bent to shape, but the brass oval stem or bang iron, ³⁄₈ in. wide, makes a stronger and better finish. The wood stem band should be about ³⁄₈ in. square, and rounded on the outside. Put this on with 1¹⁄₄-in. brads and fasten the brass band with ³⁄₄-in. screws.
The outside keel may or may not be used, according to preference. It strengthens the canoe to a certain extent and keeps the bottom from many a scratch while pulling out. The usual outside keel is about 1 in. wide and ¹⁄₂ in. thick, of oak or ash, and tapered at the stems to the width of the stem bands, which are screwed on over it. The most serviceable keel is about 2¹⁄₂ in. wide in the center, and tapers to fit the bands at either end. When made of ³⁄₄-in. oak, or ash, it makes a splendid protection for the bottom of the hull, especially when the craft is used in rocky waters. Unlike the narrow keel, the flat keel makes the canoe easier to turn with the paddle, but any form of keel will add several pounds to the weight of the craft and is for this reason often omitted.