bearsbuddy wrote:

I have an Old Town "Camper" that is deteriorating even as I type. The
gunnels and braces are constructed of ash and mahogany. I don't know the
proper name for the wooden wedge shaped pieces at the bow and stern, but
they are also mahogany.

They are "decks" allbeit as small as you observe in this canoe which is
typical of its type.

The seats are made of ash and wicker. My question
is, what is the best preservative to bring the wood back into shape. The
woods aren't dry rotted or anything, but the canoe has been stored in my
garage for the past 4 or five years, thus the wicker has rotted and the wood
is in need of something I'm sure.

Lightly sand w/ medium-fine sanpaper & apply fresh marine-grade
polyurethane.


How difficult is it to re-wicker the seats? Could I do it myself without
having to take any classes?


One can buy ready-made wicker in sheets from some arts/crafts outlets.
Possibly furniture repair shops as well. One can chisel out the chine
(thin, long splint holding wicker in place) and use fresh ash chine. But
it's easier and perhaps as eceonomical to sinmly replace the seats. You
can buy replacements from Old Town - use Google to find their web page -
or you can get them directly from Old Town's supplier, Porter's
Woodworking in Patten ME 207-528-2106. Porter's also makes the thwarts,
folding seats & wooden paddles for Old Town as well as several other
canoe lines.

I would have no paddles other than Porter's. (OK, I do own one Shaw &
Tenny paddle but it was a gift.)

I have no connection with either outfit other than having great
satisfaction w/ their products, my own experience canoaeing in northern
Maine & one laborious session of replacing caning wherein I decided life
was too short & started buying replacements.

Yours in the north Maine woods,
Pete HIlton (Reg. Me. Guide) aka The Ent

--
Either everyone has rights or some have privileges.
It's really that simple.
Walt Kelly