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AA grade Old Town Molitor model in original condition from 1921

Discussion in 'Canoe Photo Index' started by Benson Gray, Aug 2, 2014.

  1. Benson Gray

    Benson Gray Canoe History Enthusiast Staff Member

    This is an AA grade Old Town Molitor model in original condition from 1921. It has closed gunwales and pocked ribs like a Morris.
     

    Attached Files:

    Benson Gray, Aug 2, 2014
    #1
  2. Andre Cloutier

    Andre Cloutier Firestarter. Wicked Firestarter.

    Wow, that is stunning. You could easily make the case to leave it alone and not restore it, but it would be a shame not to be able to paddle it! Did you acquire this one?
     
    Andre Cloutier, Aug 2, 2014
    #2
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    Benson Gray

    Benson Gray Canoe History Enthusiast Staff Member

    Yes, I got it along with the one described at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?11487&p=59066#post59066 last year. This was just too nice to leave behind even though I wasn't really looking for another 18 foot canoe. The water test quickly indicated that the canvas needs to be replaced as the photo of the inside stern shows. It will probably get restored with new canvas in a few years. There doesn't appear to be any wood that needs to be replaced. It got through the window and is now upstairs at my house after a good cleaning.

    Benson
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2014
    Benson Gray, Aug 3, 2014
    #3
  4. Andre Cloutier

    Andre Cloutier Firestarter. Wicked Firestarter.

    It got through the window and is now upstairs at my house after a good cleaning.

    I really must get your wife to speak to mine, any and all attempts to bring canoes into the house have been rebuffed with extreme prejudice. ;)
     
    Andre Cloutier, Aug 3, 2014
    #4
    Dan Lindberg likes this.
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    Benson Gray

    Benson Gray Canoe History Enthusiast Staff Member

    Benson Gray, Oct 19, 2016
    #5
  6. Etienne-Henri

    Etienne-Henri Curious about Wooden Canoes

    I was looking at your Indian OT, wondering which could be this canoe behind it. Very nice pair. EH
     
    Etienne-Henri, Oct 19, 2016
    #6
  7. Mark Adams

    Mark Adams all wood nut

    Beautiful, Benson!
     
    Mark Adams, Oct 20, 2016
    #7
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    Benson Gray

    Benson Gray Canoe History Enthusiast Staff Member

    Happy 4th of July!

    Benson


    Molitor.jpg
     
    Benson Gray, Jul 2, 2017
    #8
  9. Dan Miller

    Dan Miller cranky canoeist Staff Member

    The roof base (opposite of wheel base) of today's cars is getting shorter and shorter.
     
    Dan Miller, Jul 3, 2017
    #9
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    Benson Gray

    Benson Gray Canoe History Enthusiast Staff Member

    Yes, an eighteen foot canoe on a fourteen foot car is never going to look quite right. It seems much better in the water.

    Benson


    Molitor2.JPG
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
    Benson Gray, Jul 7, 2017
    #10
  11. Michael Grace

    Michael Grace Lifetime Member

    Wow, Benson, what a lovely Old Town! - Michael
     
    Michael Grace, Jul 7, 2017
    #11
    Benson Gray likes this.
  12. 1905Gerrish

    1905Gerrish Loves Old Maine canoes

    Very nice Benson. Enjoy that beauty!
     
    1905Gerrish, Jul 10, 2017
    #12
    Benson Gray likes this.
  13. dtdcanoes

    dtdcanoes LOVES Wooden Canoes

    WOW, Benson.......cream does rise to the top. no ? PHEW !
     
    dtdcanoes, Jul 10, 2017
    #13
    Benson Gray likes this.
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    Benson Gray

    Benson Gray Canoe History Enthusiast Staff Member

    I've found that a big crowd of helpers isn't required to get a this canoe back into the house through a second story window. A chain fall makes it easier to make fine adjustments.

    Benson


    IMG_2912.JPG IMG_2913.JPG IMG_2914.JPG
     
    Benson Gray, Aug 6, 2017
    #14
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    Benson Gray

    Benson Gray Canoe History Enthusiast Staff Member

    It was very surprising to recently find a picture of this canoe in an old collection of Assembly photographs. It appears to have been displayed on the green in 1990 at Windham, Maine as shown below.

    Benson



    Molitor-7.jpg
     
    Benson Gray, Nov 23, 2018
    #15
  16. Gil Cramer

    Gil Cramer The wooden canoe Shop, Inc.

    Wow, was that 1990!! This canoe came to the assembly and was strikingly similar to an 18' Carleton Indian princess that I had restored for a customer. I had miss-identified the Carleton as a Kennebec. That was BI(before the internet). Eventually, the planking pattern of the Carleton gave away the true ID. This was one of the very early Molitors.
     
    Gil Cramer, Nov 23, 2018
    #16

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