Recently acquired this Old Town guide 1940's canoe 18'. I sent the serial numbers to your forum the other day and you helped me identify it. I'm wondering about restoration costs on a canoe in this shape or interested in the value to be sold as is. Any info is greatly appreciated
Thanks
Jeff Gindling
You are almost always better off financially to sell a wooden canoe unrestored. The information at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?57 should help you come up with a value. This includes the comment that "A professional restoration will run from $400 for a simple canvas job, to $3000 for a full "make it like new" restoration with a smattering of new ribs, planking, decks, seats and of course canvas, filler and paint. Many restoration tasks can be done by a competent woodworker or handyman at a fraction of what you would pay for a professional restoration, however without shop equipment and a good place to work, serious restorations can be more trouble than they are worth." Linda Whiting and Dan Eaton created a more detailed analysis of a professional restoration at http://www.smallboat-shop.com/Restoration Process.pdf which gives a range of $3200 to $4450. A similar canoe sold on eBay recently at http://www.ebay.com/itm/121716253268 for $343. Good luck,
