Restoring a Thompson Brothers Hiawatha Canoe Form
Here are some images of the restoration of a Thompson Bros Hiawatha Canoe form. Although there is no way to know how old the form is, it most likely was built in the 1920's or 1930's. When I acquired the form it was in pretty rough shape, both ends of the form had approximately a four inch cut crosswise, about two feet in from the ends, and a fair amount of rot (Figures 1- 4). Most of the transverse molds, or stations, had serious rot along the tops, ranging from less than an inch to several inches in height. Luckily, most of this severe rot was confined to only one half of the form, the other half being fairly sound.
I considered the options of taking out the existing transverse molds and replacing with new ones, but in the end decided to leave them in place, and sister in new molds. I patched the existing molds as well as possible and reinforced the whole by laminating on new molds to the existing ones. The main concern was to get it stabilized and as much as possible back into shape to produce a fair canoe, which is the intent of any canoe form.
To get the shape of the molds, I took the shapes off the outside of the better half of the form. With the use of some computer software, I offset these lines to get the dimensions of the stations on the inside of the form.
To get the shape of the molds, I took the shapes off the outside of the better half of the form. With the use of some computer software, I offset these lines to get the dimensions of the stations on the inside of the form.
Figure 2. View of underside of the canoe form
Figure 1. View of canoe form when I aquired it.
Figure 3. View of inside of canoe form showing rot along tops of molds.
Figure 4. Close up showing rot along top of molds, nails from longitudinal strips plainly visible.
Figure 5. Graphic of the mold shapes taken off the form
Figure 6. View showing plywood inserts that were sistered to old molds using epoxy.
Figure 7. View of mostly finished underside of form
Figure 8. View of freshly varnished form, metal bands are being replaced.
Figure 9. Interesting hole in each stem slot metal band. Underneath this hole, recessed into the wood, is a square threaded nut. Perhaps used as a hold down for the stems?
Figure 10. Finished form, front view
Figure 11. Finished form, side view
