On an old canoe with dry, brittle planking and stem wood I refrain from hammering with a backer iron to re- fasten planking to old stems which usually results in split wood especially western red cedar planking with more problems to cure. Instead I predrill, countersink the planking then fasten by using #3 brass 1/2 inch screws. It is a softer, less destructive re- fastening solution.
Granted this process is much more time consuming and a tad more expensive but I end up with no split old , brittle wood and the fastening is very strong with no protruding fastener heads to show thru under canvas. Overall a much more harmonious outcome results.