Old Town 173782-16

[dogbrain]

I'd like to get a build sheet for this please. Thanks, Mark

 

[Benson Gray]

The Old Town canoe with serial number 173782 is a 16 foot long Otca model with ash gunwales, ash thwarts, ash seats, half ribs, a keel, outside stems, and narrow 2 3/4 inch planking. It was built between March and April, 1964. The original exterior paint color was O. T. (Old Town) yellow. It shipped on June 1st, 1964 to Los Angeles, California. A scan showing 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 as you probably know well. 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 https://www.woodencanoe.org/about to learn more about the WCHA and https://www.woodencanoe.org/shop to donate or join.

It is 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.

Benson

 

[dogbrain]

Thanks Benson. I'm sure this is the correct canoe, originating in California makes sense, and now in Montana. Apparently the narrow planking was a special order. Curious, why would someone specify it?

 

[Benson Gray]

Apparently the narrow planking was a special order. Curious, why would someone specify it?

My guess is that they were experimenting with narrow planking as a way to save money. This was noted on the build record in case there were unforeseen issues later. There isn't anyone left alive to ask so we may never know the real answer.

Benson