Well, before starting the repairs and maybe refurbishing?

Who originally made the canoe and the design plays a major role in your
decision.
Attention should be given to the type of bottom flat or rounded and the
length.
A cost and value analyse should be done versus buying a new one.
The cost should not be more then a third of buying a new canoe.
Are the punched holes been openned and exposed to water allowing the water
to wicked into the fibreglass weakening its structure. The fibreglass could
be rotten maybe it is only a small area or the old canoe, then no repairs
can be done. Are the airtight chambers located at each end intact. Is there
any spider webs (surface cracks) visible on the fibreglass?
Are the gunwales made of aluminums or wood. Do you need new seats.
At the end of the day it would a good project for your son to hone his
financial skill by finding out if it is worth repairing. Then to establish
a budget and time table to accomplish his project.

"Toller" wrote in message
...
A fiberglass canoe washed up on a friends beach a couple years ago. He
tossed it over to one side. Since no one has claimed it, I think repairing
it will make a good project for my son this summer. He is actually eager
to do it.

It has two holes, one in the bow and one in the stern. It looks like
someone dragged it over a driveway and simply ground holes. The previous
owner patched it with what seems to be asphaltic tape. He also painted
the inside and outside.

I am planning on putting one layer of fiberglass over the holes, and then
a larger layer over the entire bottom. The construction is awfully flimsy
and can use some strengthening.

First thing is to get the paint off. I have tried simply scraping and
that gets a little off. A heat gun and scraping gets most of it off, but
not all. And I am not not sure how good a heat gun is for fiberglass.
I don't want to sand (except of course where I will be putting new
fiberglass) because the fiberglass is so thin, and I have doubts about the
safety of a chemical stripper on fiberglass; someone warned me it will
soften the resin.

So, any suggestions?