This past Spring, a friend was driving along and saw a sign that read "Free Canoe." Even though she's a kayaker, she grabbed it. It turns out it's a Mad River Slipper, but it lacks a seat and gunnels. Just today she offered it to me. I don't really need the boat, and I don't have much interest in restoring it. I do have needy friends, though. I have two questions: How much expense and work will be required for restoration? Secondly, how can I haul it home. I assume my friend just threw it on her roof racks, but this seems risky to me since there's no gunnels. It's only a few miles away. Would padding the rack with towels help? Or should I try to borrow a van or truck? Is this even worth the trouble?
slit 2X4 Take two ~ 24" pieces of 2X4. Lay across the skittle top, mark the top edges location and angle with a magic marker. Cut ~ 1/2 way through on those lines with a skill saw.
Mount the boat into the 4 slots, mount the 2X4 on your top carrier. Drive slowly, but the top edge shouldn’t vibrate too much. [You may need to cut longitudinal v’s in the back side of the 2X4 if mounting on a rod type rack. 2 long, shallow, cuts at 45 dg.]
One can make inexpensive rails on a table saw for the price of the wood, or buy pre-mades from Ed’s or Essex Industries.
Fine Thought! I like the concept Jack! While never the best design, Slipper was one of the more successful solo canoes ever made. To acquire and re-trim cheap, enjoying the experience,then passing it on to a deserving other is a wonderful, community loving thought.
Yes OP here. My plan is to indeed give it to a needy friend. I used to own a Slipper a long time ago. While I can always use another boat, a Slipper doesn’t fit a current need. So it will go to a friend. The thing is, the friend in mind has actually put rails on a MR Explorer before. I probably pass this one onto him “as is” and let him do the rest. He’s “canoe needy,” not poor, although it’s having two kids that’s keeping him from owning a boat.