: My father built a kayak during WWII from (I believe) Popular Mechanics plans.
: It is a painted, canvas covered wood frame craft for two people. It has
: been in storage for many years and the canvas has cracked and the wood has
: dry-rot, no doubt......would this craft be worth anything as a museum
: exhibit? Or is it worth nothing more than firewood? I will keep it
: none-the-less, just would like to know. Thanking you all in advance, Dave
: Lamson

This sounds just like the one my father also built. It too came from PM plans as I have learned. This has aluminum ribs and wood stringers. Mine was also in disrepair, but since it had sentimental meaning, I had it shipped from Wisconsin to N.C., where I rebuilt it. I used some dacron cloth from a fellow in ME, believe the name is Monfort. Works great.

I glued the cloth to the sheer with provided heat tape, and shrunk the cloth with an iron. Worked perfect.

Mine is a sailing kayak and I have the original Egyptian cloth sail. Since this is more of an antique I have it displayed in my house on a balcony.

Would love to know more about your boat. Do you know the name of the design. I understand it is a Mead, and was sold through PM. Talked with a person in Wisconsin that remembered this kayak and gave me some info. I also understand from him that this is also somewhat rare and might have some value.

Please let me know more info on yours as I have tried for many years to get further info.