Old Town 154736

[Kingsteven18]

First, let me thank you all for this help; a donation will follow.
I'm looking for the usual build record information.
I just bought this Old Town sponson canoe on a near zero degree day,
driving a good portion of the 150 mile trip in whiteout blizzard conditions.
Coming home, it got covered in snow, ice, mud, salt, etc.
My choice was to buy it today, or possibly lose it. Serial # 154736.
I just turned 61 years old. I gather my canoe has a similar build date.
I have a bunch of newer OT canoes and kayaks; this is my first classic.
Thanks again, Steve

 

[Treewater]

Don't know what you paid but I'd say you did well. Looks like a AA. Welcome to the club.
Tim McDonald

 

[Benson Gray]

The Old Town canoe with serial number 154736 is an 18 foot long, AA (or top) grade, HW (Heavy Water) model with red western cedar planking, open mahogany gunwales, half ribs, a keel, and sponsons. It was built between September, 1950 and December, 1952. The original exterior paint was dark green. It shipped on June 22nd, 1953 to Lansford, Penna. A scan showing this build record can be found by following the link at the attached thumbnail image below.

This scan and several hundred thousand others 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/ot_records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-the-wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://store.wcha.org/WCHA-New-Membership.html to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck with the restoration,

Benson

 

[Kingsteven18]

@ Tim: Good eye! Turned out to be an AA.
I think I did well, but may be quiet about it in case I decide to resell.

@ Benson: Thank you so much for the info.
I know that the mistake on the length (154736 18) was just an oversight.

 

[Benson Gray]

Oops, I have just corrected the length in my original message. Sorry about that,

Benson

 

[bredlo]

Drove from Cleveland to Chicago a few years ago in blizzard conditions, with a '59 Vespa on a hitch rack, and a Charles River canoe on the roof. The few of us out on the roads didn't get much above 40 mph... I just shrugged, turned up the music and enjoyed the adventure. Getting them home is half the fun!