SS Research 1908 & 15

[John Boynton]

Hi,

Not sure if researching my serial number correctly but on one stem #15 is imprinted and the other #1908. The boat measures 14'8". I realize 1908 is popular year as is 15' length so could be coincidence or I have SS1908 and it's a few inches short of 15'.

Appears to be early closed gunwale.

Any insight would be great. Image attached.

Grateful in advance,

John

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Lets see some pics of the side and decks.
That straight planking suggests Thompson........

 

[Benson Gray]

Can you provide some pictures of the serial numbers from each end. The font can be an indication. Some other pictures could help as well like Dan suggested. Thanks,

Benson

 

[John Boynton]

Here are a few more images. Thank you! Short stem image includes the #15 - but very hard to read. Longer Stem is the #1908.

 

[Dave Osborn]

How about photos of the decks, seats and thwarts??? They can be more telling than what has already been posted.

 

[John Boynton]

Adding a few more. Thank you Dave!

 

[Benson Gray]

My guess is that you may the Old Town canoe with number 30613. There was a previous request for a copy of this build record as shown at https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/10463/ by James Boynton in 2013. Some varnish remover may help show the numbers better.

Benson

 

[John Boynton]

Thank you Benson - indeed that is my brother. Didn't realize he had requested...yes it is the same canoe. As you can see our restoration hasn't advanced. Believe it's actually time to send it down the river to a new owner.

 

[Benson Gray]

A classified advertisement here at http://www.wcha.org/classifieds is often the best way to find a good new home for a canoe like this. The information at https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/57/ may help you determine how to price it. Good luck with the sale,

Benson

 

[John Boynton]

Thank you Benson - I assume this canoe falls into one of the following categories from the linked thread:

Basket case canoe: $Free- $200.
Restorable, not too bad: $200 - $500

 

[Benson Gray]

I agree that this canoe appears to be is solidly in the free to $500 range. The determining factors will probably be how anxious you are to get rid of it, the location, and how many broken ribs (and other parts) it has. Many of these breaks may not be obvious until the varnish is removed. It appears to have had a stern quarter thwart added which is usually a sign of an attempt to quickly fix a problem in the past. See https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/3968/ and https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/15877/page-2#post-82173 for a canoe that I once owned which had a similar fix.

Benson