1960's Chestnut Bob's Special interior color?

[Dakin1020]

I have a 1960's Chestnut Bob's Special that I'm about to redo I notice that the interior color of the ribs and planking appears to be a golden oak color. Did Chestnut use a stain or colored varnish to finish the interior? It appears that there is color in the varnish residue flakes from chipping.

Hope someone has the answer.

 

[Dave Osborn]

It could be that someone applied a varnish or polyurethane/stain combo on the inside of your hull. I've seen this several times.
A restorer in my area, well before my time, did that all the time. I think he thought that it made those white pine and white cedar patches blend in with original red cedar planking.

If I had your canoe, Dakin, I would strip it and apply a good quality marine varnish.

 

[Dakin1020]

Thanks Dave: Another reply indicated Chestnut did not stain or use colored varnish in their canoes. Knowing that I now assume that the original varnish had aged to a 'golden oak' stain finish. My reason for asking was that I had never seen this unusual coloration in any other wooden canoe or boat before. I guess a first time for everything!

 

[MGC]

My Fox is also an early 60's canoe and it also has a very "golden" appearance. The boat is entirely original and has nver been revarnished.
These boats were banged together. It seems very unlikely that anyone "tuned" the varnish.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Mike, as a proud Canadian and owner of many Chestnuts i take great exception with you disparaging the build quality of our oldest and longest running canoe company. They WERE NOT banged together. They slapped them together - please adjust your semantics.