Help with ID - Charles River Courting Canoe?

Chespearl

New Member
The Calvert Marine Museum / Patuxent Small Craft Guild recently received this canoe. We're looking for any information that can help us identify and value it. We've done many boat restorations here including several wood and canvas canoes but will likely try to sell this canoe as is to someone who has a better appreciation of this type of canoe. Thanks very much.
length 16 ft
max beam 32-33 inches
deck length 36 "
serial number 294 16
Notable features: solid mahogany decks, torpedo stems, covered rails, wide shaped thwarts (one has one straight edge, assume for a backrest but canoe did not come with a backrest).
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My guess is that you have a Charles River area canoe from outside of Boston. It is most likely a Kingsbury or Waltham but these can be difficult to distinguish without a tag. There are no known serial number records for either of these or any of the other Charles River area builders. The information at https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/57/ should help you estimate the value. You will want to water test it because a usable canoe that doesn't leak too badly is commonly worth substantially more. A similar restored Waltham at https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/restored-16-waltham-1900-s-canoe-5804e5faec was auctioned with an opening bid $1500 and a hammer price of $1700. There are many here who know much more than I do about Charles River canoes so one of them may be able to offer better answers. I would encourage you to consider listing it in the classifieds at http://www.wcha.org/classifieds here. Good luck with the sale,

Benson
 
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I have one just like it. I am a need to know type, so spent much time looking at pictures, serial numbers, and I say Waltham. Ken.kelly has one that is a known Walthom, looks just like it. I do see a difference on the stem to keel attachment. But you never know. Glad to send pics of mine.
Cheers
 
I remember what had me leaning to Waltham. It was the deck framing which was the same as the known Waltham. Plus the number stamps. I guess you have to get over knowing who made it. Look at the deck framing.
 

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