Older Fifty Pounders question

[chris pearson]

Hi folks. I have long been a fan of older Fifty Pounders, perfect design and higher sheer at the ends. Question though, this one has pretty thin ribs and about half of them are broken from hard use at a Girl Scout camp. We’re these thinner ribs typical? This thing needs everything! Lol.

 

[Michael Grace]

Wow, Chris, you're brave! That's a tough one, but I know you'll make it great again. I've restored several 50 pounders from various years and I don't recall any of them having particularly thin ribs. I'll check the one I still have when I get back to it shortly. Do you have the build record for this one? If so, does it say anything about being built extra light?

 

[chris pearson]

No mention of thinner ribs in the build document. Hey, this is what the club is all about, saving canoes, one by one.

 

[chris pearson]

It measures in at just over 1/4” for the thickness.

 

[Howie]

Yup. Working on a 11ft 50 Pounder at the moment. I'm replacing all inner & outer rails, both stems, 3/4 of the ribs, and a bunch of planking. Builds character!
I measure 0.27" thick ribs, and 0.14" thick planking. I figure they had to shave off material somewhere to call it '50 Pounder' - though likely it was only the 11 ft version that actually weighed close to 50#.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Chris,
Hi buddy!
The 50 lber’s that I’ve restored had 1/4” ribs and 1/8” planks.
The correct tack to use would be 1/2”.
The one I own was from a girl’s camp. Lotsa broken ribs and punctured planks.

 

[chris pearson]

Thanks guys. I have a 1954 AA grade Fifty Pounder and I guess I didn’t notice the rib thickness difference. The ‘37 that I’m doing is very light! It’s also 1” narrower than my ‘54. Make sense? I am really loving the lines of this older boat!!

 

[Michael Grace]

I didn't notice, or at least commit to memory, either. Here's a photo I just made of the 1937 catalog page for the 50#.

 

[chris pearson]

Thanks Michael. This answers the questions! Extreme width outside rib to rib do you suppose? Mine is 33 1/3”.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

I remember the other one you did. And wasn't it a basket case too?

 

[chris pearson]

Yes Dave, not quite as many broken ribs.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Well, that one is stunning. Even more-so with me in it.

 

[chris pearson]

Well, that one is stunning. Even more-so with me in it.

An iconic photo at that David!! And thank you!

 

[Dave Wermuth]

You crack me up.