Old Town Canoe 142843 - 17

John Riddle

New Member
I'm repairing this canoe that has been in my Aunt's family for decades but we don't know where it came from any more. I wonder if its record still exists? Thanks!
 
Welcome, the Old Town canoe with serial number 142843 is a 17 foot long, CS (common sense or middle) grade, Otca model with western red cedar planking, open spruce gunwales, number eight canvas, ash decks, ash thwarts, ash seats, a keel, a floor rack, and a brass bang plate along the full length of the keel. It was built between September and December, 1945. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on January 10th, 1946 to Cleveland, Ohio. 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 https://www.woodencanoe.org/about to learn more about the WCHA and https://www.woodencanoe.org/shop to donate or join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match the canoe. Canoes with a family connection are always extra special. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck with the repairs,

Benson



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Thank you. That's both interesting and useful information. I have a second canoe whose builder is uncertain. I will be back to ask for information as soon as I can gather detailed pictures, although I suspect there will be less certainty in any replies it generates.

I am glad to support your endeavor and I hope you are able to see it through! Thanks again!
 
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