Another Mystery Canoe

[Steve Lapey]

An interesting little 12 footer recently arrived at our shop and we are at a loss as to who the maker was. It is most likely a Canadian maker, it has the look of some from the Huron area. All of the fasteners are Robertsons, some are brass, others are steel.

The aluminum stem bands are attached with aluminum screws that have been filed flush.

There is only a shadow of what was a decal on the bow deck, no other markings or stampings.

It measures 12 feet long, 36 inches wide and 14 inches deep.

The seats are very unusual and they hang from wood brackets below the inwale.

It was covered with an impregnated canvas of some sort, maybe "Verolite".

Any ideas out there as to who made this?

Steve Lapey
Stevens Canoe Works

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Steve, Tremblay all the way....

 

[Steve Lapey]

Thanks, Andre

I guess we can call it a Trembley. It is the seats that threw me for a loss, I had never seen this type before.

Steve

 

[Andre Cloutier]

well, I wouldnt bet my first born but mine had the same style of cherry inwale, and the same square-sided ribs and verolite with aluminum stem bands. I think you'd find its more finessed than a huron or picard, and it looks to be in terrific shape. cant say about the seats, mine had slats seats in it and was a flat back.

 

[Tashunka]

The heart shaped deck makes think of a Huron Bastien or a tremblay,
but it's not. It's definitely a nor-west.
I was reading this old post today, and immediatly recognized their seats.
Your model is probaly a "laurentide", and pretty recent.
Nor-west is a company from Prevost, Laurentian region, in Quebec,
born in 1945 and still working actually. They made very good canoes, made for work, strong and heavy.
They are very famous for their freighters.
You can visit their website here:
http://www.nor-west.ca/html/home_en.htm

 

[davelanthier]

Not a Tremblay or Huron

Red canoe is a Tremblay, Green one is a Bastien Bros Huron

 

[Tashunka]

Red canoe is a Tremblay, Green one is a Bastien Bros Huron

You did a wonderful job on the Bastien.

 

[Steve Lapey]

Gee - Maybe it isn't a Tremblay after all. Whatever it is it is on it's way to a new home. It left here on April 25th.

 

[Tashunka]

If I had to choose between a Tremblay and a nor-west, I'll go for the nor-west without hesitation.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Never noticed the seats, sure doesnt look like a tremblay. Good to know!

 

[davelanthier]

Tashunka, thanks for the kind words

I just listed several restored w/c canoes on the WCHA classified site. One is a Simpson Sears 14' Huron.