TRANSFORMATIONS
Welcome to our INSPIRATION Gallery. Enjoy!
BRING BACK THE SPIRIT
This 1980's era Big Chief fiberglass canoe has been well loved by the owner throughout the years, enduring seasonal temperate changes, regular (and irregular) wear-and-tear, UV breakdown causing the chalky finish on the hull, and struggling with everyday aging. But she's all but lost her spirit. Too many memories later the owner couldn't let her go to die in a landfill site. BOATFIX.CA was contacted about bring her sorry bones back to the land of the living. Taking on the challenge the results, in the words of the client, 'a show of outstanding work'. She's got her spirit back once again!
BEFORE


Showing its age off, complete with battle scars, abrasion rub-throughs, UV wear on the hull as a pink wash from her former bright red, and a heap of crawly critters.


Structurally, this canoe is quite sound and looks to be in reasonable shape, and that's deceiving as it does take on a considerable amount of water is a very short period of time.


Original logo silk screen printed on vinyl label stock.


Seams on the frames split in 3 locations ready to get multi-layer fiberglass patches. A first coat of Kevlar color is laid as well.


That's more like it! Inside complete! Now for the flip side.


AFTER

With the addition of Kevlar skid plates, polished gunwales, refinished deck plates, and custom vinyl graphics to modernize the brand appeal, she is ready to paddle any lake you throw at her!




LADY IN RED
Here's a 16 foot cedar that has been in this Air Canada pilot's family forever. The canvas covering was in lackluster shape and close to taking on water. The gunwales were kept in fair shape as were the decks, however he requested new seats, replacing the original (and uncomfortable) oak slat seats. A number of ribs were cracked right through, however instead of replacing full sets of ribs, fiberglass patches were installed over the affected areas forming a solid reinforcement. Also, they blend in quite well with the underlying cedar. And as the client resorted to fiberglass exterior sheathing instead of canvas, the ribs were further reinforced from the exterior. This may go against the grain of purists insisting on canvas (cotton duck) exteriors, or installation of new ribs instead of repairing them, but sometimes concessions must be made to keep the integrity of the canoe without adding an expense one might not be able to afford.
The woodwork was restored and varnished, new bootlace seats installed, Kevlar skidplates positioned on bow and stern, and a fresh new finish on the exterior, giving her a new lease on life. She looks mighty fine dressed in red!
BEFORE




AFTER





FAST & FURIOUS
No big story for this 2004 Langford. No bodywork required. Just general wash, hydroblast and shine the gunwales. Replace the seats, yoke, thwart. Paintjob inside and out. New Langford graphics. Like we said, fast & furious; the way we like it!
BEFORE

AFTER



UGLY DUCKLING
One of the latest rebuilds from the BOATFIX.CA team is a 1980’s 16’ Watson flat stern-end canoe which, in the state we assessed her, was literally falling apart at the seams. Her stern was rotten to the core, the plastic moldings were for the most part destroyed, aluminum gunwales bent beyond repair, and any interior wood components were at best, firewood. It had also become a haven for spiders and other bugs. Unless someone realized the value of bringing this boat back from the dead, it would most certainly become landfill somewhere.
Luckily, this client did see her worth, reaching out to BOATFIX.CA for help, which we happily provided. In fact, this canoe had become a most enjoyable project indeed, converting her from an ugly duckling to a very classy little boat.
BEFORE






Off to work we go! Here are some of the processes this little boat must endure to get her back into the water again.



The stern gets the treatment. Marine ply is used to rebuild the transom, followed by several layers of glass cloth, resin, and epoxy fillers to smooth it all in.

After fitting the gunwales (and then removing), Zack is setup to apply 3 full-coats of exterior finish.


After a month of cure-time, gunwales are back on, yoke and thwart are installed as well as the extra stern fittings. The interior gets a second coat. She's a very shiny boat! Our shop mascot, Oliver gazes with approval.


AFTER

Wow! She looks amazing, especially after the application of custom vinyl graphics. She looks like a brand new boat once again. We impressed even ourselves on this project!





IT'S WAR!
Youth camps are a great place for kids to access their full potential during the summer months. Teamwork is always promoted to the campers during sports activities and especially when it comes to racing events. War canoes take a beating from these campers as it often pushes the youth to the extreme, and invariably causes great wear on these old cedar boats. We picked up 2 canoes from Red Pine Camp, Ontario to be rebuilt. This particular example is a 24' fiberglass sheathed cedar canoe that has definitely seen better days, and will undergo a complete overhaul from our BOATFIX.CA team, bringing it back to life again.
BEFORE

We were able to pick up two of these great canoes end-to-end on the same trailer. For those camps with longer canoes, we can accommodate up to 38' length of boat.









AFTER



THIS IS A LOVE STORY
We were approached by a client about bringing back a much loved and cherished canoe once owned by her grandfather; an early 1970's Kevlar model by the Pinetree Canoe Company of Orillia, Ontario. The client's grandfather had patched the canoe up and painted it to appear like birch bark, a fitting objective due to the large number of patches he installed on both the interior and exterior over the years. This is an ideal tripping canoe with a very thin, double-skin shell and an overall weight of about 38 lbs. "Can you do it, make her gorgeous and usable again?", the client asks. An heirloom piece like this canoe, restoring her back to her former glory, and giving her the special request to paint her up in birch bark fashion is truly what BOATFIX.CA is really all about. So the answer is a resounding "YES!", I'll sharpen my artistic skills as an illustrator from my past life and give this boat the best love I can put into her (figuratively speaking). Follow along as I show you the process.
BEFORE




We start by bringing the shell back to a level where structural integrity is met by first removing the original polyester resin patches and rebuild the surfaces where the skin has been penetrated through. We don't subscribe to polyester resins in our shop. Everything is done with quality 2-part epoxy resins infusing Kevlar or fiberglass to the hull skins. Now that the exterior is completed, our project is curing in the sun getting ready to rebuild the interior.

Here, Zack is preparing to install fiberglass strips to reinforce the internal ribs which have shown signs of delamination.

And so, the creative process begins! I'll be using some solid finishes along with washes to get the underpaint work ready for details. Faux birch bark is a process, but in the end it has incredible hiding power, and highly recommended for any canoe with an imperfect hull skin. The majority of this finish will be tackled outdoors!




Creating artistic, painterly finishes can be as much challenging as fun. After finalizing the underpainting component I use a scrub brush to apply the over-layer texture finish.



And now for an overall translucent wash, ready to add the important details.





AFTER





GREAT INVESTMENT
From time-to-time BOATFIX.CA will acquire through a purchase, or inherit in some fashion, a canoe that is worthy of a full restoration to keep the boat out of a landfill site. We generally post these acquisitions on the FOR SALE page of our website as INVESTMENT CANOES with the intent to show prospective buyers the canoe in its current state and indicate what we are prepared to sell it for with upgrades ( full detailing, bodywork, interior/exterior finishes, new seats, yoke, thwart, and gunwales and decks if required). This system works well as buyers knows exactly what they are investing right upfront, nothing is hidden, and they see the value of the upgrades reflected in the final product. Often these are older canoes with very classic lines that aren't manufactured anymore. In essence, these investments preserve the great line of canoe classics, and become heirloom canoes that you just won't want to part with.
With this example, a 1993 Kawartha 16', the canoe is already in fair shape although the hull is sunbleached and all interior wood is completely dried out due to weathering and UV breakdown. The buyer wanted a full restoration to be included in the purchase. This purchase was well worth the investment, restoring this 30 year-old classic lines canoe to be further useful and gorgeous as well.
BEFORE






AFTER




SUBTLE PALE-BLUE
Our customers come from far and wide! This project is the second for our resident in London, England. This 15' canoe started life as a Quebec-built Cadorette model from the early 1980's, and selling for about $300 new. Canadians became aware of the reputation and quality of the Cadorette Canoe Company, mainly due to their affordability, simplicity, availability and popularity. The hull styling was classic and yet had simple slat-seats and 'bottle-opener' aluminum decks. This poor boat had seen some difficult days with war wounds and battle scars as proof. The owner was kind enough to send her to BOATFIX.CA for one last hurrah, having the full end-to-end refit. This 'subtle pale blue' impressed us all! Hurrah!
BEFORE













AFTER





DEEP BLUE SEA
This 1976 Algonquin style canoe sustained years of neglect and abuse, recklessly patched and re-patched by its various proprietors. Extensive wear and fatigue was found in her aluminum gunwales as well as the fore and aft decks severely cracked and broken. With her youthful looks all but faded completely away, she was finally left to rot in the woods. The present owner learned of BOATFIX.CA and took a chance to have her rebuilt rather than committing her to a landfill site. Follow along as we transform this old canoe. The process is quite involved and labor intensive, however the final results are no less than outstanding.
BEFORE


AFTER




FLIPPED THE SWITCH
Here is a 1982 Algonquin style fiberglass canoe that truly needed help. The client's concern was that it didn't float quite right, and that she was in desperate need of an overhaul which included a full color switch from yellow to red. Seeing the poor state it was in which included split and bent gunwales, out-of-date decks, unusual seat mounts on the outside of the canoe, ripped padded bench seats, aluminum yoke (a bit of a joke), and more holes and patches one could only cringe for, we set for the task at hand. In the end she was a stunning representation of the work BOATFIX.CA can do to make any small boat look great again.
BEFORE











AFTER




CEDAR IN THE GREEN
Here is a very unique prospector style canoe molded of FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) with a hand-laid stem-to-stern keel of aluminum embedded in a watertight channel. Cedar ribs are placed span-wise along the full length of the canoe to present the look of a traditional cedar canoe. The gunwales typically are ash as well as the decks, seats, yoke, thwart etc. This particular canoe was built in Aurora, Ontario in 1976 by the Cedarglass Canoe Company, and is a very rare example of their work.
This canoe has survived close to fifty years, and now requires a refit to bring her back to her former glory. So, here we go!
BEFORE








AFTER




AND LOVE WALKED IN
Instinctively, most people might just turn their old canoe into a planter. Worse yet, deep-six it in the shallows of the backyard lake, or send it off to a landfill site (not the best choices). Smart people realize the value of renewing what may have been considered 'done'. And so is the topic of discussion here. A Kawartha 15' model canoe which has been in the family for some years, and whos owners recognize this is a classic fiberglass canoe with much more potential than meets the eye. Follow along as we rebuild this 1990's model canoe, transforming her into a gorgeous new and classic boat for full use again.
BEFORE







AFTER






DOUBLE-ENDED DISASTER
We all expect to see issues with our canoes at some time or other. This 1999 Langford 15-6 bore no exception to finding its share of disasters. A strong gust of wind tore this canoe off its dockside mooring and pummeled her against shoreline rocks. Taking a beating for quite some time, her bow and stern ends were completely destroyed compromising her flotation tanks. The owner patched her up the best way he knew how, but it was not the same canoe he purchase in 1999. He wanted her back, and in a shape that is better than before.
BOATFIX.CA to the rescue!
Our crew was able to patch her interior seals, bilges and flotation tanks, rebuild the stem areas of the bow and stern, provide a fresh new interior and exterior finish. After discarding the original heavy vinyl gunwales we topped her off with new ash gunwales, seats, thwart and yoke and cherry decks. Kevlar skid plates were installed on both ends to ensure the integrity of the work would not break down. Just like the owner wanted; 'better than before'!
Happy paddling once again!
BEFORE














AFTER





TOUGH NUT TO CRACK
The 1988 Chestnut Prospector canoe highlighted here is a rare example of a one-family owned boat that had truly seen better days. We examined her upturned Kevlar hull having several coats of red paint applied through the years, peeling and cracking everywhere. A massive water stain on the natural Kevlar interior indicated it had sat upright and collected rain water for some time, the stress of which collapsed the starboard gunwales and promoted rot throughout the ash woodwork. How many winters had this canoe sat unprotected to the elements? The real challenge was the removal of more than 60 rusted out screws and other fasteners from the woodwork and hull, many of which were beyond recognition. Nothing was going to be easy for this poor boat, and the clock's a ticking.....
BEFORE

AFTER


GONE BY THE WAYSIDE
During assessments we often see watercraft in various forms of disrepair and neglect.
On one occasion a Langford Prospector 16-6 was discovered upturned under a cedar hedge where it had resided untouched for several years. This was once the flagship premium model Kevlar canoe Langford promoted in the 1990's. However, to discover moss growing across its hull, dirt and grime packed around her waterlogged and rotten gunwales and decks, holes and cracks in her bilges, it was hard to imagine justifiably bringing her back to life. This canoe was going to be a total gut job but worth the effort in the long-run.
BEFORE

AFTER


STANDS THE TEST OF TIME
In the early 1960's a newlywed couple gifted the purchase of a second hand 12 year old canoe to each other, a 1948 model Algonquin style glass-fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) canoe. This 73 year old 15'-6" relic is one of the earliest examples of commercially built, Canadian-made fiberglass canoes. We know little about the manufacturer other than the layup is very basic (as one might expect for an early glass cloth canoe) and that her flotation tanks were well designed and stood the test of time without seam cracks or holes. No gelcoat was employed in this early model design as lacquer paint finishes were typical of the period. Sadly this canoe endured years of severe weathering and ultraviolet breakdown on the surface where paint just flaked off when touched. The FRP reinforced keel had severe delamination issues and was separating from the bottom of the hull.
The client's intention were to get it restored and pass it on to grandchildren. Little did we realize this project was going to take a very, very long time to complete, so let's get cracking!
BEFORE

AFTER


OVERWHELMED!
Words alone cannot express the joy and euphoria I experienced resurfacing this old Northland cedar canoe. Built in the 1970's this gal had experienced rot under the decks and gunwales. Her floors were in lackluster shape with layers and layers of varnish flaking away. The seats, thwart and yoke were losing their ability to perform adequately. A makeover was imminent and the assessment was provided (albeit the owner was perhaps a bit skeptical we could do the work adequately, but developed enough trust in us giving the go-ahead to proceed).
While performing work on this great canoe we uncovered several issues making her a job-and-a-half, yet were able to get the work done and delivered to the rightful owner. Needless to say, 'overwhelmed' is the only word I can use to describe his disbelief on receiving it. The photos look great but one would really need to see this canoe in the flesh to truly appreciate her full beauty.
BEFORE




Dry-fitting deck to gunwales

AFTER







FOREVER GREEN
The Evergreen Canoe Company has been out of business for many years now, and for whatever reason the company folded you can be assured it wasn't due to bad quality. In our humble estimation, Evergreen's were some of the finest built canoes available. Period.
These 'workhorse' canoes continue to survive to this day, many well loved and in excellent shape while others not so. Hulls that bare wood gunwales, decks and other interior wood appointments were the highest risk for neglect, being left outdoors to the elements and sadly just fell apart. The one highlighted here is no exception. A splendid example of a rags-to-riches transformation ensues, restoring it to her former glory, making her forever green again.
BEFORE




Preparing for the work at hand.


AFTER







HEAD OVER HEELS
The Prospector Canoe Company has been a well respected name in quality Canadian canoes for years. The Kevlar sixteen footers are just gorgeous and extremely light for portaging, while their classic lines and use of wood are a celebrated blend of 'natural-meets-composite'. Here's one from the mid 1980's getting a complete makeover and sparing nothing of the handmade ash interior, gunwales and decks. The original owner fell head over heels in love with his old flame once again!
BEFORE


Application of multiple coats of color


Dry-fitting deck to gunwales


Apply custom designed vinyl graphics
AFTER




LOOK FAMILIAR?
In the 1980's Canadians became aware of the reputation and quality of the Quebec-built Cadorette canoe, mainly due to their affordability, simplicity, availability and popularity. The hull styling was classic and yet had simple slat-seats and 'bottle-opener' aluminum decks. It isn't any wonder that these great boats are popping up everywhere these days. Here is one sixteen footer that blew us all away when we took it to the limit for a full refit, and appoint it with quality, handmade woodwork and our own custom vinyl graphics. Wow!
BEFORE




AFTER




WASH & REPEAT
Here's another Cadorette (albeit a fourteen footer) which was stashed helplessly along side a garage, waiting for this transition moment to arrive. This forty year-old boat donned padded wooden seats over her broken fiberglass hull. The aluminum gunwales were also bent and with a slight twist along one side. The client had an emotional attachment to this old girl and wanted the full makeover to bring her back to life. So, here we go...
BEFORE




AFTER



BEAST OF A CANOE
Often we come across some very interesting prospects to rebuild, however on this particular assessment a canoe our team affectionately named 'TANK' became a rebuild project. Who knows what brand or where she was made, but it was a heavy and ungainly beast that had been left for dead, filthy and donning delaminated patchwork from a previous repair, broken seats and hangers, and destroyed flotation tanks on bow and stern requiring full rebuilds (they were made of paper with glass cloth on top). A real challenge, so off to work we go!
The entire canoe was taken apart, cleaned inside and out, hydro-jet wash the gunwales and rebuild the fiberglass decks. New patchwork and re-fairing was installed to replace the previous botched repairs. Flotation tanks were rebuilt with lightweight marine mahogany plywood and glass cloth. Brand new interior and exterior finishing was applied, new seats and hangers attached, ash yoke replacement installed and custom graphics applied.
The owners were shocked at the results (as were we). She looks pretty sweet, and will bring years of joy and pleasure to the paddlers in the family.
BEFORE




AFTER




HAD SEEN BETTER DAYS
In the mid 1960's a new breed of canoe came onto the market which offered a very different range of components for their fiberglass canoes; manufactured aluminum seats, yokes, thwarts, carry handles and deck plates. The Scott Canoe Company of New Liskeard, Ontario entered the small-boat scene with great applause, offering durable canoes constructed of metal on fiberglass and Kevlar.
The project we highlight here is a recently transformed 1998 Scott canoe that had definitely seen better days. The client requested some hull repairs, a new paint job, new seats and interior components of ash wood to replace the aluminum ones; effectively giving the canoe a new lease on life.
There were interior cracks and field patches to tend to. Four layers of paint of different colors were built up through the years, the final being a thick coat of yellow latex which had to be scraped off prior to any sanding and body work could take place. This project was going to take some time, but in the end the canoe looked spectacular!
Great job BOATFIX.CA!
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AFTER




THE PROSPECTOR CHALLENGE
BOATFIX.CA was presented with a real challenge in bringing back this 1991 Prospector Brand Kevlar canoe to a condition of it's former glory.
On first appearances the hull had multiple layers of green paint applied during its 30 year life to date. The exterior bottom had severe wear and tear with the addition of a long fiberglass patch running along its keel. A huge Kevlar patch on the interior floor indicated some trauma from the past, however was applied quite well and required no additional work.
The ash decks were rotted out on the ends as well as rot forming on the edges. They would all have to be replaced. The gunwales were showing signs of rot and the port side inner and outer gunwales were held together with duck tape; also requiring total replacement.
The yoke had significant rot on the port side and would be replaced with new. The seats were in fair shape however were showing signs of delamination and the owner opted to keep them if possible.
Needless to say, our work was cut out for us!
BEFORE


The hull was indeed a challenge, resurfacing the bottom of the canoe, leveling out the existing patchwork, and filling the gouges and scratches of days gone by. Once the epoxy primer coat was laid, creating the ultimate foundation for the colour to go down, a special marine finish was applied in multiple coats.
The outer gunwales were specially milled from long white ash and installed with the new decks. Inside gunwales were added as well as seat blocks, new polypropylene webbed seats and a deep-dish contoured yoke, all from white ash. The interior Kevlar was treated with a special finish to seal and rejuvinate the surface, making her look new again. Finally, a vinyl logo was created and applied to both sides at the mid section, producing a uniquely personalized boat.
Here's the final product. Enjoy!
AFTER


CEDAR HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS
This very old and worn out cedar canoe came to us with a requirement for new ash decks and gunwale rebuilds, inside and out. The client also requested new ash contoured yoke and new ash seats and hangers.
Although the typical seating for cedar canoes are sinew or cane, the client requested a more comfortable ride with polypropylene webbing, ...but first thing's first.
BEFORE


The decks were completely rotted out taking some of the gunwales and some of the original cedar ribs as well. The outer gunwales and decks were removed. Inner gunwales were scarfed just short of where the decks would be. Cedar ribs at the decks were addressed. New cherry decks installed. Outer gunwales were saved (just!), sanded, oiled, oiled, and oiled again. The interior was fully cleaned and clear coated, bringing back luster and waterproof abilities. This canoe lived in my living room for 2 months and it wasn't at all a bother.
With some help from the client (oil, oil, oil), this canoe will be well looked after in the future and bring years of enjoyment to all.
AFTER


THIS FISH NEEDS SERIOUS HELP
Sunfish sailboats are extremely popular boats and can be found world-wide due to their ease of use and handling abilities. Our client discovered this gem for sale at a bargain price and quickly snatched it up. BOATFIX.CA offer their assistance to resurface the hull and give her a bright, new paintjob. Along with that, the mahogany centerboard, rudder and tiller components were restored.
This boat looks new again and ready for yet another season of sailing in the heart of cottage country. Great job BOATFIX.CA!
BEFORE

The process to restoring the surface of any boat hull begins with a thorough sanding. Areas of repair are dealt with, then filling and more sanding...


The BEFORE and AFTER work on the hull indicates the makeover was really worth the investment and effort!


AFTER


