canvas decks

[kydocfrog]

I've been following the fiberglass weight discussion in separate thread. I know that white lead paint is out, but is there still a route to the older notion of the canvas deck that was once so common? What weight/kind of canvas? Bedding? The older books (Rudder, MotorBoat, etc.) just assume that everyone knows all that, so there's not much detail to work with in this benighted age... :?

DavidA

[tdrown]

I know someone who is building a carvel planked yawl that will be using dynel on the deck. Applied with epoxy. It's compairable to canvas in look and feel and has the grip. Canvas and epoxy would probably work too although I haven't heard of it. I'm not entirely sure how the canvas was applied to the decks in the days of yore. Perhaps it was just streched on like felt over a pool table and schelacked. You might have some better success and longevity if you went with dynel. I know Raka sells it if you are looking for a supplier.

[Frank Hagan]

There are some people using latex paint with canvas, and it goes on well, but I have to wonder how durable it is since the latex paint is so soft. On some of the older plans I've been looking at, they mention using canvas glued down with waterproof resin glue, then coated with paint.

[Dave Fleming]

The Canvas on Deck question comes up frequently on the Woodenboat Forums.

Here in a *peanut shell* is what I know about it.

In the days when Rudder, Motorboating, The Skipper were the epitome of the boat magazine world, they would feature a new design each issue. Many of these were drawn for the magazine and copies of the plans were available to the public for a very nominal sum.

Motorboating had a rather extensive series, many with plans by the Atkin's father and son and Rudder had plans by LFH. There were others of course.

In the 20's and 30's and even after WW II in the late 1940's, canvas deck covering was quite popular and recommended by many of those designers.

A boat builder at that time, had a choice of products to use to bed and paint the canvas.

KUHL's was a big maker of a number of such products. Bedding Compounds, Double Planking Cement ( not really a cement but a semi-flexible compound to apply between the layers ) and, Canvas Cement and Paint.

There were shop brewed compounds too. White Lead Paste mixed with things like Linseed Oil, Turps, Japan Drier for bedding the canvas if it was to be painted White or Red Lead Paint if the canvas was to be painted another darker colour. On light craft the canvas would be bedded directly to the wood deck whilst heavier vessels would use Irish Felt layed on before the canvas as an underlayment. The felt would be fastened with copper tacks or nails, the "wet" canvas would be stretched over this and, if I recall correctly paint applied to the still damp canvas. I believe the idea was as the water in the canvas evaporated the wet paint would be drawn into the fibers of the canvas.

Canvas is made in different weights ie: 6 oz., 8 oz., 12 oz., etc..

Depending upon the vessel the canvas weight would be chosen.

Now commercial fishermen out there on the West Coast of North America used another product for bedding and painting canvas. ARABOL, a lagging compound originally developed for applying Asbestos cloth to cover the Asbestos cladding over steam and Bunker C pipes on ships. This product, ARABOL, was made by the Borden Company, the dairy and chemical mfg..

It was made from milk and had a slightly rubbery/elastic feel to it when dry. Clean up was with plain H2O.

The elastic property was what probably attracted some frugal canny fisherman to try it in the first place. It was moderately durable, easy to re-apply and CHEAP!

Nowadays again, to the best of my knowledge ARABOL is not made but ,there are newer products to take it's place. Any commercial insulating company would be able to recommend one, I'm sure.

Red Lead Paint is still made by the venerable firm of George Kirby and Son in New England and perhaps they make a White Lead version too.

Well that is about it from me. Hope this helps abit.

[Bill]

Found this little tid-bit..might be of assistance...

http://www.acbs.org/ClearLake/canvasing.htm