Boat Identification, guidance

[Kevin Bird]

Hello all. I'm a brand-new member having built a couple of cedar strip canoes and just acquired a cedar/ canvas boat. The PO had no idea where it came from or even how her husband came by it. It is in seemingly great shape, especially the interior. From what I have seen in my limited experience with these boats, the interior keel strip is unique. There are some remnants of yellow canvas around the gunnels. The seats as you can see are canvas and appear original, but who knows? The craftsmanship is very good, the lines are fair, and the two thwarts are refined. There seemed to be the obligatory barn dust, complete with pigeon poop and some minor water staining beneath. I'm looking forward to your thoughts and the learning that lies ahead. I appreciate any help in possibly identifying the vintage and manufacturer.
Cheers
Kevin

 

[Kevin Bird]

BTW, LOA is 16', Beam is 36" and depth is approx 13"

 

[Gil Cramer]

If the canoe is in Michigan, It very likely is a Baker canoe made in Coleman, Michigan. Brian's canoes had a keelson which this one has.

 

[Kevin Bird]

Thanks for your thoughts Gil. I'm in southern Colorado but I have no idea where it came from. Not likely within 500 miles of here. I will look into the Baker Canoes. Thanks

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Baker always comes to mind when I see a keelson. Jay also would inlay the decks of the canoe with an Indian motif. Brian told me that he canvases in two pieces glued together under the keel. When I recanvassed my canoe that Brian had restored I discovered that it was canvassed that way. Twenty years and not a leak. Was there evidence of a two piece canvas?