Recently acquired old Whitesell (Piranha?) that needs TLC

[tonymark]

I picked up a Whitesell (maybe Piranha?) for $180. One bag is gone and the other needs repair. It does have a 4-5" diameter dent in one end (see pic). How can I fix this? Can I heat it and pop it out? (What temp?) The brass plate has the number P-1-944 (see pic). What year was this made? What material is the canoe made of?

Also, the lid is missing on the saddle storage compartment (6"). Anyone know where to get one?

Thanks

[tonymark]

One more pic.

[KNeal]

Nolan uses Royalex for his boats, some of them are the r-light version (lighter weight). If the boat is 13 (something) feet, it is a Descender. If it is 14 (something) feet, it is a Piranha. The dent should come out with gentle and gradual heating with a heat gun/hair dryer. Avoid a propane torch as the material in the ends is very thick and takes a while to heat--the propane torch may very well melt the material before you can press the dent out.

Good luck with your project, it should come out well enough. Hope you can get info. for the missing lid. You may need to remove that seat and replace it with a minicell saddle.

[PAC]

Agree with KNeal on dent. Would add - lay in sun first to heat up uniformally the whole hull. Then heat gun (no torch - bad ju'ju' there as KNeal noted). Press with shaped 2x4 from inside if you have extra hands with or without rubber mallet / deadblow hammer. KEY - Take your time!!

Might not even need the heat gun if its a hot there as here!

[sbroam]

Check your local marine supply store - hatches in those saddles (and kayaks) are "deck plates" :

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP8 ... eck-plates" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You should be able to find one that matches.

That serial number does not look to be in Coast Guard format - look for another one, maybe riveted under the gunwale at one end. The year (and month?) can be decoded from the last couple of digits.

[tonymark]

Thanks for the tips on the removing the dent. I got most of it out, but it appears that the layers have delaminated on a small portion of it. Not really a big deal.

sbroam,
Thanks for the heads up on the deck plate. I may not even replace it. I may just plug the hole to keep water out. I didn't see any other serial number. There is a hand written number on either end under the gunwale "137-6-20C". Funny, my neighbor used to have the same boat, but it didn't have the brass/copper plate.

[2opnboat1]

You diff have a piranha the serial numbers are engraved on the front left and rear right. They where hand engraved so you may or may not be able to see them. I would recommend duct tape to fix the decks, go buy some black and you are in biz. as for as the hatch covers Sea dog used to sale them but I am not sure now. The problem is going to be the threads on the old hatch ring. Buy the whole kit and replace the whole thing, use shoe goop to seal the new ring to the saddle.