Old Town Runabout research

Jim Mahoney

New Member
Hi,
I bought an old town runabout recently, and need help discovering it's details. The seller said it was built in the 20's, but a local guy in-the-know said it looked more 40's/50's-ish. I could not find a VIN/production # etc. on it anywhere, except a recent number the state provided the last owner for registration purposes. I would enjoy chatting with anyone who might know what direction to point me. Cheers - Jim
 

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Congratulations, the information at https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/791/ should help you find the serial numbers. They should be on the inside stem on the floor in the bow up under that long deck and on the top edge of the center transom brace in the stern. It probably went back to the factory for repairs around sixty years ago since it appears to have a modern decal with a red bar over an older one with a black bar. Please post the numbers and some pictures from both ends when you find them. Good luck,

Benson
 
Thank you, I found the number on the stern (I looked there before, must have not had enough light.) the number is 125577 pic attached. Do you have any further insights? ty again
 

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The Old Town boat with serial number 125577 is a 16 foot long, AA(or top) grade, canvas covered sea model boat with open mahogany gunwales, 60 inch mahogany bow deck, mahogany seats, a keel, outside stems, and a floor rack. It was built between August, 1938 and March, 1939. The original exterior paint color was dark green with a tropical green bottom. It shipped on May 5th, 1939 to Bangor, Maine. It went back to the factory several times for repairs starting in November 24th, 1945 as shown on the back side of the record and attached page. The last repair was completed on November 2nd, 1960. Scanned copies showing both sides of this build record can be found below.

These scans 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 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 boat. It may also interest you to know that the owner of the Old Town Canoe Company also owned the Arthur Chapin Company (where this boat was shipped) when he died in 1961. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson



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