Outrwales Shaped and Varnished

Last night I got the outwales shaped, sanded and varnished.  They amazingly match the 55 year old inwales in color but just a smigent of a shade lighter.   Tonight I will sand the varnish with 220 and apply another coat. Tomorrow do the same and Monday one last time.  Then I will take it outside Tuesday and let it set out for two days in the sun.  Hopefully by Thursday I can put the two remaining coats of red paint on, let it set for two days then put on the LAST ITEM....the brass stem band.  Then it will be FINISHED!!!!  If all goes well it may be ready for water by Nov. 15.  I really got to have a lot of sun to set the paint and varnish.  In reality it needs to cure for about two weeks before being put on water.  I certainly do not want the paint to come off in sheets!

OUTWALES FINALLY INSTALLED...NO BREAKS!

Ouwales created, bent and now installed!   No breaks!  What a relief!  The South American Mahogany outwales took awhile to convince they needed to bend but finally I got them into place and used the original brass screws to secure themto the canoe.  Now all I need to do is put a few coats of varnish on and we are ready to paddle!

I took a long walk last night.  Not a single "creak, crack or pop".  Fantastic!  Anna look what I am doing n your boat!  I am standing in it.

This is what I felt like...."Just push me into the stream, son."

Outwales bent...FINALLY!

Third time is a charm!   My first couple of tries did not work well.  Here is two outwales bent on the form.  I will take them off on Tuesday.

African mahogany does not bend very well.  South American mahogany does.   The procedure is to clamp one end to the end of the mold. Next pour two gallons of scalding hot water on the strips.  Now, bend onto the mold within one minute.

Tuesday I will bend the other end, let it dry for two days then clamp onto the boat. Horray!