Old Town Serial Number 93879 16

[Scott Radtke]

After almost 50 years of canoeing in aluminum, fiberglass and plastic canoes, I was finally able to purchase my first wooden/canvas canoe. I am very excited about rebuilding it this winter. From what have found so far, it looks like it was made about 1927 and is a 16 footer.

Would very much appreciate a copy of the original build record.

Thanks.
Scott

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome, the Old Town canoe with serial number 93879 is a 16 foot long, AA (or top) grade, Otca model with red western cedar planking, open mahogany gunwales, mahogany decks, mahogany thwarts, mahogany seats, a keel, and a floor rack. It was built between February and June, 1927. The original exterior paint was dark red. It shipped on July 6th, 1927 to Grand Rapids, Michigan. A scan showing this build record can be found by following the link at the attached thumbnail image below.




This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-wcha to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/store/membership to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck with the restoration,

Benson

 

[Scott Radtke]

Thank you very much Benson. The canoe never strayed far from Grand Rapids. I picked it up just north of there in Comstock Park. I am very pleased that this turned out to be a top grade. I can find no damage at all to the ribs and only minor damage to the planking in a few spots. According to the son of the previous owner, his father bought it in the late 50s or early 60s and put new canvas on it then. It is definately ready to have that done again. I definately plan to join the WCHA. Thanks again!

Scott