Serial # help

[Duncan Rosborough]

I have a canoe with the serial # 117428 16 with diamond hardware. The build sheet from Old Town says this # is a 18 ft. Guide Special. It is 16Ft. long. Could it be a Carleton? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Hi Duncan,

Carleton canoes have a heart-shaped deck, while those of Old Town have a sculpted "ogee" shape (if they are older) and more of a concave-curve if they are newer. Check www.dragonflycanoe.com/id/ for examples of both the Carleton and the Old Town deck-types. Do any match what's on your canoe?

Carleton serial numbers don't go beyond five digits-- 205XX is the highest serial number. 117428 comes up an 18' guide, just as you were told... so either you don't have an Old Town canoe, or you need to look harder at those numbers. Look at both stems and compare. Take digital pictures and post here. Many eyes may see something different in the serial number. Also post pictures of the canoe as a whole, as it may not be an Old Town but was restored at some point with diamond-head bolts (we have a Gerrish with diamond head bolts). And,if it's an Old Town, we can diagnose a guide versus some other model. Perhaps there is a mistake on the build record!

We'll help you get to the bottom of this!

Kathy