I built a Folboat Super in 1982. At that time the stringers were spruce. The keel, frames and stems were marine plywood. The hull was covered with two layers of pvc coated fabric (naugahide). The first layer was stretched over the frame with the coated side inwards. The exterior of the first layer was then coated with contact cement and the second layer applied (coated layer outwards). The deck was one layer of the fabric. The end result was very tough. My next project is to make a plywood version of this boat (CLC Mill Creek 16.5) with a cedar strip deck.

Good Luck on the restoration.

Steve
: I have what appears to be an old rigid framed folboat "super" that
: I want to restore for use. It was originally canvas covered, but recovered
: with fiberglass in the early '50's.

: The glass is brittle and tears away fairly easily. The wooden frame is
: partially rotten, but the aluminum ribs are in pretty good
: condition...other than being slightly flattened from the strain of use
: over the years.

: This kayak is a two seat open cockpit model, 16 ft, 8 in, long and 31 inches
: wide, with a depth of 13 inches.

: There is no rigid decking fore and aft of the cockpit, and I don't remember
: if there was any rigid decking originally installed in those areas.

: The rigid plywood deck around the cockpit that appears to be in pretty good
: shape.

: The main areas of rot appear to be the stringers around the top of the boat,
: the deck supports and the stem ends.

: I originally thought the stringers were made of cedar, but after a closer
: look, I'm not so sure. The deck framing appears to be oak, or maybe
: fir...not real sure about either of those woods. The deck framing and
: stringers without rot, are a light colored wood, and do not appear to be
: discolored with age.

: My plan is to remove the deck supports and use them for patterns, peel the
: glass off of the bow and stern to try and salvage the stem sections, and
: copy them.

: I then plan to remove and replace one stringer at a time, beginning with the
: keel, and alternating side to side in an attempt to keep everything in
: alignment, and tracking properly.

: My Father bought this kayak soon after returning home from WWII and it was
: fairly old then, so I have no idea how old this thing is.

: I'm not especially interested in restoring this kayak from a historical
: perspective, but for use as a fishing boat on Ozark streams. With that in
: mind, I plan to use the most durable covering material I can afford.

: Any suggestions as to the most durable covering for use on rivers where this
: boat will likely make contact with the occasional submerged log or rock.

: I would like to use the same type of wood as in the original construction ,
: if possible. Any one know what that might be?

: Any suggestions as to which species of wood provides the greatest strength
: with the least weight?

: This is my first attempt at boat building and restoration, so any ideas,
: tricks, tips, and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks

: J.D.

: .