The last canoe rehab of a late friend and companion; 50 years of river and trail adventures with him. I really didn’t want this rebuild to end, an ancient Explorer now rebuilt for his SOT paddling son and daughter to use as a reservoir canoe. There’s a lot of winter left, and I’ll need another rebuild project to see me through. NOT another Royalex Explorer. How come I never find $200 kevlar Explorers, or cool old solo canoes

This one was resurrected from the remains of a $200 canoe. As in “For $200 I’ll cut it up and haul it to the dump for you” A little bit of work every day, sometimes only 20 minutes a day, and a month later it was again a functional, well outfitted and distinctly attractive canoe.
P1230004 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
P1230008 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
I had originally (unskilled poorly) refurbished the Explorer nearly 30 years ago, gifted to Brian as a 3-seater young family canoe. I didn’t even bother to gut it of superfluous “outfitting”. To say it had aged fugly and forlorn would be inadequate. For starters, I had spray painted it. This is why spray paint eventually sucks for canoes.
PC190009 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Of course it had lived outside as a shadedrack Queen for the last 15 years. Pieces of brightwork fell out when I turned it over.
PC200031 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Correction, it had been a rack Queen for 14 years, 11 months and 3 weeks. Less then a week before I arrived it blew off the rack, sailed over a fence and landed on a tall metal stake.
PC200021 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
The original outfitting, not my work, but apparently multiple failed attempts, from two previous owners, had mostly fallen out, and what was left gentle tug popped off like a Post-it note.
PC230014 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Whatever adhesive was improperly used for the D-rings and three (yes, three) large thigh strap pads didn’t hold worth a damn, but did manage to spider crack the inner vinyl layer. A cautionary tale regarding poor adhesive choices or techniques.
PC240005 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
The vee bottom was worn nearly full length.
PC210004 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
A 16’ strip of Dynel sleeve, compressed under release treated peel ply took care of that.
PC290010 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Lotta painting, inside and out, new brightwork, kneeling pads and heel pads, minicel knee bumpers and a custom utility fishing/trolling thwart.
P1110046 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
DIY foot brace for the bow backwards position, in case I ever reservoir paddle it.
P1180018 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Some cushion and back support. Guess I should trim the half dozen straps on that thing to non-dangly length.
P1170017 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Sometimes I get a wild hair when painting, especially if I have leftover Topside paint to use up.
P1230043 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
That was too much winter fun. I need to find another rebuild project, lest I fail to enjoy self-awarded “Job Well Done” treats.
Nanoscopically described rebuild and photos here:
https://www.canoetripping.net/forums/bo ... air.19278/