Old Town serial number 185017

[Sawyer]

Hello.
I seem to have located a great website full of information.

I think the canoe is about a 1968 12-13' trapper (guess). It is 12'3.5 inches from top point to top point if that is where it should be measured.

I have the above canoe and just took it off of a rack in the barn after having it set there for 18-20 years.

It belonged to my father (RIP) who bought it from an co-worker (Earl Bader, RIP) sometime in the late 70's or early 80's.

As I recall it was purchased in Grand Rapids, Michigan at a shop on Plainfield Ave, (no longer there) whose name escapes me at this time.

Any help with history or build info would be great.

I am considering passing it on to someone who has more time to re-canvas it and do a small amount of woodworking type repair.

Thanks so much.
Sawyer

 

[Benson Gray]

The Old Town canoe with serial number 185017 is a 13 foot long lightweight model with half ribs and a keel. It was built between April and May, 1970. The original exterior paint color was white. It shipped on May 20th, 1970 to Grand Rapids, Michigan. A scan of this build record can be found by following the link behind the thumbnail image attached below.

This scan and several hundred thousand more 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. The information at http://www.wcha.org/buildsupply/ may help you find someone to help repair it. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions,

Benson

 

[Sawyer]

Benson,
Thanks so much for you quick response. The information from the build ticket pretty much matches what I have here at home although it does appear that front and rear thwarts have been added about one foot from fore and aft top points as carrying handles. I recall that Dad had a Mr. Peterson RIP from Dollar Bay Michigan (Klondike canoes) do a repair and re-canvas and finish about 35 years ago. How time flies. Again, appreciate information,
Thanks, Sawyer

 

[Sawyer]

I guess I would like to make a change of correction to my above post.

The person that did the repairs to the Old Town canoe was one Elmer Johnson, RIP, owner/builder of Klondike canoes, Trap Rock Valley road, Dollar Bay, in Upper Michigan. We also ordered a canoe from him in about 1991 a 16'. It also hangs in our barn without canvas and has some wood damage from running rivers with it (yes, a bad mistake) but there you have it.......... (Got my names mixed up a bit) Sawyer

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Thanks for the added information on your Klondike, Sawyer. I believe Elmer Johnson was the only builder of w/c in the U.P. There's an article on him in a back issue of "Wooden Canoe".