The dark material at each end of the canoe is actually some sort of soft, flexible cloth material. The metal (brass) strip on each end continues down to the bottom of the canoe for a couple of feet to protect from rock damage I presume. The wood has no rot what so ever, solid as a rock. It does have an outer coating of fiberglass I think that is not original. I will find out how long ago it was done but the canoe has barely been used since. I will post more pics tonight.