Bottom line Question: Is this Mad River Independence worth repairing?
Background:
I purchased two Mad River canoes for $50 each recently. I am working on refurbishing one with my son as a gift to him. His canoe really just needs the gunwales and cross braces replaced which isn’t a big deal, it will be perfect for our kids to paddle solo and together. I am sourcing the wood from a local mill, and should be able to make this happen fairly easily.
The second canoe in the deal is a fiberglass Mad River Independence solo that is a little beat up and will need gunwales replaced as well. The fiberglass is cracked, although not through the hull over about 25% of the canoes bottom. There are a few spots that will need to have larger patches added to repair the cracking as I suspect that the crack goes through the fiber mesh in the hull, so for the larger cracks I would most likely be cutting portions of the hull and repairing the fiberglass. I have read and watched quite a bit online so far and feel fairly comfortable with the fiberglass crack repairs. My question is concerned with the extensive cracking in what looks to be just the gel coat of the fiberglass. The recommendations online call for grooving the crack with a Dremel tool essentially opening up the crack so that the new fiberglass can be added to close up the crack.
The potential problem is the amount of cracking, and if it is worth going through this process. Does anyone have experience with this type of repair or can you point me in the direction of someone who might be willing to share/guide me. I have time, just looking to work on this throughout the winter and spring to give myself something to do. If I can pull this off I will end up with not a lot of cash into a usable canoe, which is perfect.
If this is to far gone that isn’t a big deal to me, I purchased the canoes for the other one that I am refinishing with my son.
I have other photos but can’t load more than one as I am a new user, maybe I will be able to add them in replies later
Thanks
Adam