Bob Stay

[smallboatshop]

I have a build record #120706 for a 1937 13' Old Town 50# which lists 'bilge keels' and 'bob stay'.

The dictionary defines a bob stay as a line from the bowsprit to the stem.

What would Old Town's use of the term mean?

 

[Benson Gray]

My guess is that this is a painter ring which is mounted near the water line so the canoe can be towed easily. This would be the same location as the bottom mounting point for a bobstay on a sailing boat with a bowsprit. The Luther Gulick Camps (a.k.a. Wohelo) have a traditional tow of the sailboats and canoes on the 4th of July. The pictures of the one this year at http://www.wohelo.com/Summer 2008/SWThirdWeek4thofJulyTow.htm show that their canoes are typically fitted with a low painter ring on the bow and a high painter ring on the stern for this event.

The other build records attached below show that this was not a unique item. Do you see any signs of unusually placed painter rings on this canoe?

Benson

 

[smallboatshop]

Hi Benson,

That makes perfect sense as you always do. I don't have the canoe and can't remember noticing the low painter ring.

Dan

 

[Scot T]

That's some pretty funny photos. Reminds me of those little kids that have to hold on to the rope as the teacher leads them all on an outing....same thing it would seem.

Very interesting as always, Benson.

 

[Benson Gray]

There is a current eBay auction at http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ260390811556 which has a bob stay notation on the build record and a low painter ring on the canoe as shown in the images below. These images are reproduced here with permission from the seller.

Benson