Info on 147367-16 please

Andy Stewart

New Member
I bought this canoe about 18 yrs ago, and stored it in a barn for when I might have time to fix it up. Now is the time! Any info on the serial number and history would be so welcome!! There is some rot at the bow and stern where all the pieces come together.... otherwise it seems fairly intact, just lost most of its keel and gunnel rail strips to rot. The canvass is not torn, but there are a few places where it is not adhering to the hull. I am psyched to learn more about this boat, fix it up, and paddle into the sunset!
 
Welcome and congratulations, the Old Town canoe with serial number 147367 is 16 foot long, CS (Common Sense or middle) grade, Otca model with spruce planking, open spruce gunwales, ash decks, ash thwarts, ash seats, and a keel. It was built between January and March, 1947. The original exterior paint was similar to the one shown at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/designs/design43.gif which was known as the design number 43. It shipped on May 16th, 1947 to Brookfield, Connecticut. A scan of this build record can be found 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 donate, 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 possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. The books at http://www.wcha.org/store/books may help you restore it. The Wood & Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to its History, Construction, Restoration and Maintenance and This Old Canoe: How to Restore Your Wood Canvas Canoe may be especially useful. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck with the project,

Benson



147367.jpg
 
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