Does anyone know what this is?

yep

I think most often keels were painted. lately keels have been varnished instead, regular keels anyway, because we'd rather see the grain of the wood. I think too, that the underside of the outwhale was generally painted.

I wonder if your '31 Otca may have been restored? outside keels I think were varnished, rather than painted. It seems that a painted keel would tend to be more water tight. The paint is the first defense. Dolfinite can only do so much. Otherwise why would the word 'finite' be part of the name?
 
looks like a Huron Village canoe

The inwhales appear to have nail holes in them...is that correct?.....looks like a cap was removed from the inwhale...Huron Village canoes had these...mine still has the nail holes but I shucked the cap rail ...decks look like a Picard or Bastien depending on what you would call the cleft..an arrow or a heart shape...
 
Back
Top