Kennebec Joy Boy

[Michael Grace]

I thought the same thing from the beginning that the transom just didn't look right. Comparing with Chris' Joy-Boy, it's obviously completely different - deeper and rounder. I don't think changing the transom would have yielded this "new" shape, even if the restorer tried. The coaming/deck shape is also completely different - yours appears to have a smooth curve as shown in the Skowhegan Pathfinder, while the Joy-Boy depicted on the catalog cover and the Joy-Boy page, just as in Chris' photos, shows the coaming coming to a peak in its center.

 

[DavidK]

I agree about the combing.

The shape of the transom looks less curved because the sponsons are not there. I think the sponsons go all the way back and add some shapely hips.

I'm leaning toward the Skowhegan theory but I suspect this may be essentially the same boat, built by people who worked at Kennebec Canoe previously.

Thanks for all the interest and input!

I'll get some photos of the sponsons. Maybe the structure of them will help with identification?

 

[chris pearson]

Contact Rollin, he will be able to answer all and any questions regarding the invisible sponsons.

 

[Benson Gray]

Does the original transom look like it had diagonal braces similar to the ones shown at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?attachments/38129/ for example? Most boats from the Skowhegan area have these.

Benson

 

[DavidK]

Here's the original transom, coincidentally with diagonal braces, but I don't see evidence that there were braces there originally.

 

[DavidK]

On the transom, it looks to me like the canvas was stretched over and tacked and then trim boards were affixed over that.

 

[DavidK]

This boat has oarlock bases still attached to the gunnel cap thingy, like the Skowhegan Pathfinder page shows.

 

[Dan Miller]

The oarlocks are the so-called "patent" swivel oarlocks (patent in quotes because I've never been able to locate the patent for them). They were used by any number of builders, including Old Town, so aren't diagnostic in themselves.

 

[oldhaven]

I bought this boat in May 1994 in Gouldsboro, Maine, and the seller told me it was a Kennebec, but it appears he, (and I), may have been wrong for all these years. The transom had rotted badly and the seller had chainsawed it off, so I replaced it in white oak and redid the planking at the original 15 foot length, if not to the original design. This boat has pocketed rib tops as I recall, unlike the Joy Boy pictures above. I am really chuffed to see it in good hands and the project back on track.

Ron

 

[DavidK]

Home of a manufacturer's decal?

 

[Benson Gray]

You may want to spend some time at https://woodencanoemuseum.org/decals comparing the shapes. My guess is still a Skowhegan as shown at https://woodencanoemuseum.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/Skowhegan Decal e.jpg and elsewhere. Good luck with the rest of the restoration,

Benson

 

[likesmallwoodboats]

This is my 1st comment. I have been a follower of WCHA for years. Looks like a cool project. Keep us posted

 

[Dave Osborn]

Does anybody know if the Skowhegan Pathfinder was ever offered in 17’ length?

 

[Benson Gray]

Does anybody know if the Skowhegan Pathfinder was ever offered in 17’ length?

I can find Skowhegan Pathfinders in 14, 15, and 16 foot lengths with both canvas covered and all wood versions but nothing in a 17 foot length. However, I suspect that they might have built one that long for a special order. There were also lots of other builders who made similar boats. Are any pictures available?

Benson

 

[Dave Osborn]

This boat has had extensive work done on it. There are invisible sponsons. I originally thought it was a JoyBoy, then saw that Skowhegan also offered invisible sponsons. There is a 4 digit number stamped in the transom, and a 17.

 

[Dan Miller]

Dave, for your boat I'd be comparing it with the Meraco Speedster.
https://woodencanoemuseum.org/catalogs?tid=41
https://woodencanoemuseum.org/patents/boat

 

[Benson Gray]

You can contact Wally Hauck to see if his records show the number. See https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/16665/#post-85107 for a rough dating chart made from the publicly available information. Good luck,

Benson

 

[Dave Osborn]

Spot on, Daniel!!!
Thanks
I’ll check with Wally

 

[Rollin Thurlow]

The boat may be a E.M. White. I have an unrestored White in storage and the planked deck, sponsons, and transom are very similar. The White boat does not have the beveled planking that the canoes have. The knees and seat bracing in my boat are different from this boat but that could of changed over the years.