1906 Power or Motor canoe from the Old Town Canoe Company

[Benson Gray]

My usual approach to the Old Town serial number records is to start with a serial number from a boat and then go find the build record. Recently I had the reverse experience for the first time, I happened across the build record for serial number 5001 and realized that I had seen some pictures of this one as shown below. It was the first motor boat made by Old Town for Herbert Gray who was the chairman of the board of directors and had the name of his oldest daughter Helen painted on both sides of the bow as shown below. I have no idea where it is now.

Benson

 

[Benson Gray]

Inboard motor or power canoes appear to have been very popular for a few years in the early 1900s as shown in the brochure and pictures below. The outboard motors quickly replaced them.

 

[pklonowski]

Looks like another great article in the making, Benson!

 

[ken.kelly]

Great info Benson...thanks for sharing.