Just Bought a Kennebec Canoe... I Think

[Jerry Van]

Hello,

Very new to this wooden canoe thing so I'm not 100% up to speed on the "boat jargon", (e.g. inwales, outwales, etc.), so bear with me please.

Looking on the internet and on this site, I'm fairly certain I've got a 17' Kennebec canoe. The deck design, short gunwale caps, straight slender stems(?) all seem to point towards Kennebec. It looks identical in every detail to this one, currently on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Town-Ke...610168?hash=item4b046a1c78:g:i78AAOSw0QFXCmpe

Mine also has the decal, like the one shown on the eBay example, but it's been overpainted. Still, the shape of the decal matches perfectly. I looked very carefully at the stems but could not find a serial number. Where else should I look for one? What era of Kennebec used decals instead of the screw-on tags?

It has some wood damage/rot on the ends. Not too bad, but will need some reconstruction. Canvas is long gone with just trace pieces left, (green). One rib will probably need replacement. I can do a lot of the wood work myself but am really loaded with other projects right now. I am interested in having the canoe restored. I'm not a "canoeist" by any stretch but have always loved the look of an old canoe. Given all this, I'm looking for a source near Detroit, MI to restore it. If suggestions of this nature are frowned upon here I would certainly understand it. However, perhaps someone could comment on what a typical restoration of this type might cost? I'm not looking to sell it or have hopes of making a profit. I just want a nice old canoe! Yes, I know it would help to see photos. I can add some later. I also know, from antique car forums I participate in, that any talk of value and restoration costs can put people off. Not wanting to do that. Just don't want to make a mistake.

Thanks to all who can give me some direction! I'm really kind of excited about this new toy.

 

[Jerry Van]

I see that a lot of my questions are already answered in the FAQ section. The restoration dollars Vs. value are pretty much what I've been seeing. As I mentioned, I don't want to make money on this, (and apparently wouldn't even if I did want to), I just want a nice old canoe.

 

[Benson Gray]

It appears that you have found the valuation information at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?57 and the message at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?791 may help you find the serial numbers. Kennebec would also put their serial numbers on metal tags placed on the decks or stems so look for small nail holes to indicate if a tag has been lost. The list of restorers at http://www.wcha.org/buildsupply/ may help you find a professional and the chapter list at http://www.wcha.org/local-area-chapters/ may help you find some amateurs who might offer some support. The summary at http://www.smallboat-shop.com/Restoration Process.pdf could give you some idea of the steps and costs involved. Most Kennebec canoes with decals like you have described seem to be from the 1930s but I don't know of anyone who has done a detailed analysis to confirm this. The collection at http://store.wcha.org/The-Historic-...pany-Catalog-Collection-Version-2-CD-ROM.html has a nearly complete collection of Kennebec catalogs so you may be able to identify your canoe's model from the dimensions and other information. Good luck with the restoration and feel free to reply hear with any other questions,

Benson

 

[mccloud]

If you have not done so already, check the "Builders and Suppliers Directory", left column of home. It is organized by state. There are a whole lot of wooden canoe folks in Michigan, but the restorer closest to Detroit is probably Gil Cramer in Bryan, Ohio. Tom McCloud

 

[Greg Nolan]

Check our builder directory for Michigan and Ohio <http://www.wcha.org/buildsupply/ >. These people should be able to give you a good idea of the costs that may be involved in restoring your specific canoe.

Even if you are not going to do the work yourself, before making any decision about how to repair or restore your canoe, you would do well to get, or at least look at -- "The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to its History, Construction, Restoration, and Maintenance" by Rollin Thurlow and Jerry Stelmok, and/or "Building the Maine Guide Canoe" by Jerry Stelmok.

The first is often called the "bible" of canoe repair, restoration, and maintenance; the second is an excellent study of the wooden/canvas canoe and its construction.

There is now a new book to consider -- just recently published, so I am not personally familiar with it -- but it has gotten some good reviews -- This Old Canoe: How To Restore Your Wood-Canvas Canoe, by Mike Elliott, also carried by the WCHA online store.

Any of these books will familiarize you with the techniques and materials of restoration and the various approaches that might be taken. Advice is also available for the asking on these forums -- as you noted, photos are always of great assistance when asking questions.

Good luck with your canoe!

 

[Paul Fopeano]

Nice canoe! I had also been "watching" that listing but I can only afford to buy wrecks. You can't tell everything from photos but it looks like everything is there on your Kennebec. I'm guessing that even with a little wood work you would be spending around $500 on materials to recanvas (tacks and/or staples, canvas, filler, paint, etc) and recane. If you think you need to strip the interior, add a bunch more. Nothing that you can't do yourself with a little time and a relatively small investment in tools including the above mentioned book by Thurlow and Stelmok. My copy is always close at hand.

Have fun! You bought a beauty!

Paul
Onlyone Maine Made Wooden Canoe Works

 

[Jerry Van]

Paul,

I wish the canoe I linked to on eBay was the one I bought. Mine is identical, as near as I can tell, but is probably more like the ones you say you can afford.

All,

Thanks so much for your advice and encouragement. I have the book "This Old Canoe" on order right now. I'll probably end up contacting Gil Cramer in Bryan, OH some time soon.