Canots Mattawin

[Louis Michaud]

Here is some information on a small canoe company: Canots Mattawin. It was located in Saint-Michel des Saints province of Quebec. I got the information from the retired owner: Robert Racine.

The company was started in the 1920s by Willie Racine. They made canoes, flat bottom skiffs ("verchere" in French), paddles, oars and portage yokes. Robert started working with his father around 1948. They had several canoe forms ranging from a 16' double ender to a 18' freighter. Robert took over the company in 1960 and added a few forms: a 13' trapper and a 15' double ender.

The seats were babiche in the traditional weave until 1960. After they used rope weaved in a square pattern. In the 1950s they started replacing the canvas/filler with fiberglass (polyester resin) leaving it clear on the hull. Early on the rails and keel were mahogany, it was more easily available in long lenght. From the early 1970s to 1980 the inner and outer rails could be spruce, BC fir or mahogany, from 1980 white ash was used.

Ribs are 1 7/8" or 2" wide, edges beveled but no taper, spaced 1 3/4" to 1 7/8". Planking can vary but usually was 3 1/4". Sometimes a serial number can be found on the inside of the forward stem. The label seen in the first picture was used from 1960 to 1968 only. Decks are usually 11" long but this can vary. Often, they had "U" bolt on the decks. The are usually the same thickness as the inner rail.

Robert Racine closed the company in 1985 and retired.

These canoes could be mistaken for Hurons at first glance. Here are some differences I noticed, but I have only seen two 16' Mattawin and own a 13'...
The stem profil does not have a lot of recurve like the Hurons. It looks a lot like the Traveler. Hull looks plumb sided, almost no tumblehome. No rail caps. Finer entry and exit lines with a pronounced hollow in the quarters. The thwart is well shaped. The planking has a tight fit. In general Mattawin canoes have a higher level of finish than the Hurons.

The owner of the canoe in the first picture is not convinced it is a 15' Mattawin... It sure looks like one to me, down to the "U" bolts and the stem profil. The deck and stem pictures are from a 13 footer.

If you recognise your canoe, please feel free to add information.

Louis Michaud
Rimouski, Quebec

 

[Nordman]

Hi Mr Michaud,
im thinking of purchasing a Mattawin 14.5 foot canoe. it has rope seats square weave. The owner told me its a " Mohawk" model....?
When you talked to Mr Racine, did he tell you what he based his molds on?
Chestnut?
Huron?
I wonder where those molds are today?
Merci!

 

[John Sand]

Welcome aboard Nordman!

 

[Louis Michaud]

They are really nice canoes. They seem faster then the Huron canoes maybe because they have finer entries and quarters. They are very good paddlers even with less tumblhome than the Hurons or Chestnuts. They are similar in hull form to the Tremblay canoes. I don't remember Mr Racine mentionning model names. He said his father developped the hull shapes himself. Robert developped the hulls for the 2 shorter models by using the existing sections of the longer canoes. He said the hull section was the best for heavy waters, a claim also made by the Tremblay canoes. I've seen only one Chestnut Cruiser canoe and should have taken pictures and notes... It paddled great, sleek and fast. It would be great to have 3 16 footers: Chestnut Cruiser, Tremblay and Mattawin side by side to compare hull shapes. On my Mattawin I wanted a traditional canvas and filler so I peeled off the fiberglass/polyester resin with a heat gun. It went well but stil is a b... to do.
The forms are probably still in the family. Some time after the post, Robert's son emailed me he had just finished a new canoe on the original form.

For the canoeing I do I would go anytime for a Tremblay, Mattawin or Cruiser canoe. The others I leave for those who turn the paddle and pry against the rail at the end of the J stroke (Flame suit on....)



Louis

 

[Mario Therrien]

Hi Mr. Michaud (and fellow WCHA members),
I recently purchased a beautiful, pristine red Mattawin cedar canoe here in Quebec, and I am trying to narrow down its exact production timeline. I read through the helpful "Canots Mattawin" reference thread you posted back in 2008, but I have a few conflicting clues that I am hoping you can help me untangle.

Here is what I know and have observed about the canoe:

• The Logo: My canoe features the authentic circular black ink stamp printed directly on the wooden deck ("Mfg. de Canots Mattawin, Québec, Canada").
• Interior Construction: The ribs are very tightly spaced, beveled on the edges, and have no taper. The thwarts and inner rails appear to be mahogany.
• The Seats: The seats feature a synthetic or cotton cordage woven in a perfect square grid pattern.
• The Hull: The exterior red hull is completely smooth and glass-like, with a high-gloss finish and no canvas texture.
• The "U" Bolt: There is no U-bolt on the deck, but there are two pre-drilled holes where one used to be.

According to your 2008 post, the label seen as an attachment was strictly used from 1960 to 1968. However, when I contacted the seller, she mentioned that her father bought the canoe in the 1980s.

So I presume that circular black ink stamp was used sometimes after 1968.
Based on your knowledge of Robert Racine's workshop history, do you think this is a 1980s canoe?

I have attached photos of the interior construction, the ink stamp, and the profile of the hull for your review. Any insight you could share on its history would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much,

Mario

 

[John Sand]

I don't know anything about them, but that's a handsome canoe. Good luck with her.

 

[Mario Therrien]

Thank you John ! She really is a handsome canoe, which I acquired for $400 only. I feel very lucky to have found such a great deal for a traditional cedar canoe!

Regarding the decal, I wanted to share an interesting finding that might challenge Louis's timeline (which mentions this black and gold label was only used from 1960 to 1968). I recently came across another Mattawin canoe for sale featuring this exact same black and gold sticker, and that specific canoe was documented as being built in 1976.

It seems Robert Racine might have used this logo/sticker design for much longer than previously thought, well into the 1970s!