Build Record for an Old Town Trapper

[Rick Bowles]

Hello, I understand (Google AI, ugh!) that I can track a Build Rercord for my 15' Old Town Trapper, S/N 575808, through the WCHA Members Forum. I purchased (ordered) it ca.1997 from the Old Town Booth at the New Jersey Paddlers Show.
Thanks for the help.
Rick
Member 5677

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome, it is my sad duty to report that the scanned Old Town records stop just over 250,000 in 1984 so no one here can provide more detailed information for your Trapper. The factory stopped keeping records on paper around May, 1996 with serial number 533392 so more information might not be available. There should be a hull identification number on the starboard stern ends with an encoded date. The information at http://www.usps.org/national/safety/HIN/HIN.pdf may help you interpret this information. Sorry,

Benson

 

[Rick Bowles]

Thank you, Benson. I have found the original purchase receipt, but it does not provide much more detail than the model, price, etc. I can tell many of the details as I ordered them.

Perhaps you can point me in the right direction? I need to replace the caning on a seat. the seat is red: I have assumed it was mahogany. I have also assumed that the outwale (also red) is also mahogany. Maybe not.


I would prefer to replace the whole seat(s) if I can find a replacement. I'm thinking the folks at Island Falls or Northwood Canoe might help. I have not read that Old Town ever made Mahogany seats, so it may be stained ash (?).

Any direction appreciated.

Rick

 

[pklonowski]

Pictures always help... and we just like pictures of canoes...

 

[Benson Gray]

I need to replace the caning on a seat. the seat is red: I have assumed it was mahogany.

Mahogany seats and outside gunwales would not be unusual in a circa 1997 Old Town canoe but pictures would help as Paul mentioned. It may take one more reply for you to get past the new user spam restriction. Island Falls, Northwoods, and others can supply new mahogany seats. A variety of different options have been available over the years so you will need to be specific if you want to match the other one. A local restorer listed in the link below may be willing to replace the cane in your broken one for a small fee. Mahogany seats have always been available in Old Town canoes upon request. The picture below shows mahogany seats and outside gunwales on the Old Town canoe with serial number 594818 from the late 1990s. Good luck,

Benson

BuildersSuppliers

Whether you're looking to have a canoe restored, or to find the products or information to restore it yourself, you'll find what you need in our Builders and Suppliers listing.

www.woodencanoe.org

 

[Rick Bowles]

Here's my third reply, pictures to follow. I will behave and only include the problem boat. There are many . . .

Thanks!

 

[Rick Bowles]

Hopefully I've attached them properly.
Rick

 

[Benson Gray]

That looks like mahogany to me. Another option is to simply mail the seat to a restorer for them to revarnish and repair before mailing it back. Mahogany has a notoriously wide range of grains and colors so a new mahogany seat may not match your old mahogany in the rest of the canoe. Nice one,

Benson

 

[ALCEDO ATTHIS]

for your seat , it's not weawed directly on the frame but cut from roll , and pin on the frame I think , you can return it to see and copy

 

[Worth Gretter]

Alcedo is right, the cane is not hand laced but rather factory woven, then cut to size, and held in place with the thin spline in a groove.
You can do this yourself easily with supplies ordered online.