Whoops
David,
The Carelton Build record for 17746-17 is for a 17' Carleton canoe with Western Cedar (red) planking, open spruce gunwales and birch decks, thwarts and seats. It was originally painted maroon with a 2" white stripe. It was delivered to Philiadelphia, PA in April of 1923.
Copy of Build Record attached.
Scans of approximately 210,000 records were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. Additional information about the project to preserve these records is available at
http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/records/ if you want more details. Please join WCHA or make a tax deductable contribution so that services like this can continue. See
http://www.wcha.org/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and
http://www.wcha.org/join.html to join. If you are already a WCHA member, THANK YOU!
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.
I'm not too familiar with wood suppliers in the NYC area, though the woods mentioned here are not too uncommon. Depending on the amount of repair/restoration work you have to do, you might be able to find materials locally. The hardest thing might be finding long, straight grained spruce to replace the 'wales.
This forum is a great resource for DIY restorers. COntinue to post questions here. You might also look at getting a copy of "The Wood and Canvas Canoe" by Rollin Thurlow and Jerry Stelmok (both very active WCHA members). It is considered a prime reference for building and restoration.
I occasionally get to NYC on business, and I have a daughter living in Brooklyn. If you want another set of eyeballs on the boat, we might be able to work out a visit in the coming months.
