Age of my Old Town Canoe

[Roadkingdana]

I would like to know the age of my old town canoe based on the serial number identified in my boat. It appears it is # 31531 and 17 foot in length. Can you help me.
Thanks, Dana

 

[Todd F]

Dana, can you post a picture of the canoe and serial number? Could be an old one.

 

[Roadkingdana]

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome and congratulations, the Old Town canoe with serial number 31531 is an 18 foot long, CS (common sense or middle) grade, Otca model with red western cedar planking, open spruce gunwales, ash decks, ash thwarts, ash seats, and a keel. It was built between March and June, 1914. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on June 13th, 1914 to Gallipolis, Ohio. A scan showing this build record can be found below.

This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will donate, join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See https://www.woodencanoe.org/about to learn more about the WCHA and https://www.woodencanoe.org/shop to donate or join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck with the project,

Benson

 

[Roadkingdana]

Benson,
Thank you for the information on this canoe.
Dana

 

[Todd F]

Congrats looks like a great boat to restore if that is the plan.