Cleaning Up an old Grumman Canoe
Never Did Anything Like This Before

18-Foot Grumman Canoe:

Not that I ever had much of an appreciation for the movie Deliverance, two of the stars in that movie were big Grumman (yes, as in Northrop-Grumman) aluminum canoes. I love the water. I love swimming, body-surfing, diving, snorkling, kayaking, canoeing, etc. It's all good. I did want an ocean-going kayak or some kind of watercraft without all the hassles of maintaining an engine.

I saw this canoe on Craigslist and it looked like it would fit the bill. It came with five life jackets, three paddles and some other goodies. Of course, I was compelled to "upgrade" it.

When I was done, I had painted it, Herculined the inside, created a couple pontoons, added mounts for an electric trolling motor, added a small solar panel for the trolling motors' battery, and made myself a comfy seat out of Dodge and Harley parts.

The Herculiner makes the aluminum less slippery when wet. The pontoons are specifically for when I'm carrying a lot of other people's cargo as I will be soon. If I fall asleep, I'd really feel bad if I get their stuff wet. Not so worried about my own.

 

Grumman Canoe in its Original Green & White Scheme


Blue, Silver with a Red Stripe - Much Better


Grumman Canoe Project


Grumman Canoe Project


Grumman Canoe Project


Grumman Canoe Project


Canoe Project
That's the outrigger pontoons on the table
just getting the first coats of paint.


Grumman Canoe Project


Grumman Canoe Project


Grumman Canoe Project


Grumman Canoe Project


Grumman Canoe Project


With the Decals Installed
That's my super-interested, beautiful assistant
enjoying the great outdoors with a book and a smoothie.


Start and In-Progress Shots


Another Pair of Start and In-Progress Shots


Previous Owner Had an Outboard, Hence the Numbers
I kept the numbers just in case I ever used a motor.
Glad I did. Came in handy on the very first trip.


Why USS Global Duck 797?
Canoe is a 1972 aluminum 18' built by Grumman.
I wrote manuals for the Grumman Global Hawk UAV.
The USS Weeden 797 was the last ship my dad was on.


Green ID Numbers for the Starbord Side


Red ID Numbers for the Port Side
Why? Because I could be odd, so I shall be odd.


With my Quick-Connect Outriggers & Pontoons
My first attempt to paint teeth. Harder than it looks.


Grumman Canoe Project


With Storage Pouches Installed
These are made for the side of a cot. Fit the canoe perfectly.


Pretty Much Done Except for the Motor Mount

 

1st Trip - Colorado River, Sept. 2008:

September 2008 was my first big test for the canoe. It was the transport barge for Trisha, Theresa, Cara, and me plus a couple other ice chests thrown in for kicks. This canoe can carry five average-sized people, so it wasn't hard. I was paddling by myself, though, so I'm glad I was able to cheat with the use of an electric trolling motor my friend Glenn gave me.

Everyone else was in kayaks which definitely had many advantages. The big Global Duck could carry a lot more beer though, so it proved infinitely valuable. For more on the first journey of the USS Global Duck, see Colorado River Trip - September 2008.


In the Colorado with Global Duck
That's Cara leading me to the next sand bar.


In the Colorado with Global Duck


Making a Good Clothes Line


In the Colorado with Global Duck


In the Colorado with Global Duck

 


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