Any canoe shows in NH/Maine/Vt
- Thread starter Nessmuck
- Start date
Oquossoc Day is next Saturday near Rangeley, Maine as described at http://www.rangeleymaine.com/EventsListreport.asp?Key=2&cmd=ResetAll which includes a "Little Wooden Boat Show" and "Wooden Canoe Sailing race." Several members of the WCHA are likely to be there and may be willing to let you try some of their canoes. The contacts for the WCHA chapters in Maine and Massachusetts are listed at http://www.wcha.org/local-area-chapters/ and they may be able to direct you to other local events.
However, if your goal is to buy a canoe then you could just review the classifieds here at http://wcha.org/pp-classifieds/showcat.php?cat=3 and contact the sellers to see if they are willing to let you have a water test. I have a canoe listed there and you are welcome to come paddle it sometime near Portland, Maine. Another option is to review the list of builders at http://www.wcha.org/buildsupply/ and contact a few in your area to see if they are willing to arrange a similar paddling test. Good luck,
Benson
However, if your goal is to buy a canoe then you could just review the classifieds here at http://wcha.org/pp-classifieds/showcat.php?cat=3 and contact the sellers to see if they are willing to let you have a water test. I have a canoe listed there and you are welcome to come paddle it sometime near Portland, Maine. Another option is to review the list of builders at http://www.wcha.org/buildsupply/ and contact a few in your area to see if they are willing to arrange a similar paddling test. Good luck,
Benson
The Oquossoc Day event is an enjoyable way to spend a day in the western Mountains of Maine. I have gone the last few years and brought some canoes along. We had four sailing canoes in the race last year and the organizers would definitely like to see the sailing canoe event grow. I plan to go again this year. We will be dropping son Brendan off in Rangeley for a week at Grandma's. I will have my sailing canoe, but the wind typically doesn't blow much. Weather report to date says maybe 4 to 6 mph this year.
I may have a couple others to show. I have no new projects this year unfortunately. I finished a few canoes for other people, but they are no longer in my possession. Bob Bassett usually attends with some of his projects too.
It is a nice little low key gathering at the home of the Rangeley Boat. There are usually a few Rangeleys on display too. The local bush pilots trying to "Bomb the Bismarck" in the afternoon is worth the trip alone. There is also a dog show and other things in town to do.
Fitz
I may have a couple others to show. I have no new projects this year unfortunately. I finished a few canoes for other people, but they are no longer in my possession. Bob Bassett usually attends with some of his projects too.
It is a nice little low key gathering at the home of the Rangeley Boat. There are usually a few Rangeleys on display too. The local bush pilots trying to "Bomb the Bismarck" in the afternoon is worth the trip alone. There is also a dog show and other things in town to do.
Fitz
Just to close the loop on the Oquossoc show this year, The Northeast Chapter showed up in force and I counted at least 10 canoes, 2 Rangeley boats, a Penn Yan runabout, a Lyman, a big mahogany runabout, a lapstake Old Town, and a nice Herreshoff sailer to name a few.
Benson swept the field, in light air, in the sailing canoe division.
The Bismarck was thoroughly sunk.
There is talk of a war canoe division next year
Fitz.
Benson swept the field, in light air, in the sailing canoe division.
The Bismarck was thoroughly sunk.
There is talk of a war canoe division next year
Fitz.
Actually, Bob's was the first canoe back but only because he got tired of tacking and took his sail down to paddle directly in. Jim also decided to head in directly and bypassed the designated finish line. Fitz and I were the first two canoes to cross the actual finish line after Bob and Jim had disqualified themselves. The lightweight canoe that Fitz made for his mother got the most of the attention on shore. The "Bomb the Bismarck" show is quite a display. A great day for all!
Benson
Benson
