Carrying Place "Jack's Special" canoe

[geolang]

Recently I had the pleasure of purchasing an original 10 to 20 year-old canoe. I estimate the age based upon my own experience (exact date unknown). The canoe is fast and efficient, especially when heeled properly. I used a sandbag to trim the canoe (photo included).

The Ottawa River is a terrific test-bed of both capability and endurance. This canoe performed very well on calm days and with winds up to 20km / hour. Once in a while the bow (behind me in solo position) would get blown about, but nothing that couldn't be corrected for.

This "Jack's Special" resembles most, in my humble opinion, an old-fashioned Chestnut cruiser (Kruger circa 1910 or similar), not a Chestnut Chum, which seems more rounded and soft lines!! It is 14 1/4 inches deep, 15 feet long and 33 inches wide at centre. The rocker is amazing (more in bow) and the tumblehome is very good. In a way, it also resembles a modern Esquif Prospecteur, with similar measurements, including a very good rocker, only all natural!

Personally I would always choose a natural canoe over a plastic one, but that is personal preference. I've paddled aluminum, royalex, fibreglass and kevlar composites, cedar strip, amongst others.

Hey Jack, welcome to the family!

Happy paddling!

 

[Rob Stevens]

Joe Ziemba, who operated Carrying Place Canoe Works (Kleinburg, ON) has retired and closed his shop.

 

[Pook]

I believe George was referencing the portage route from head of the Humber to Holland River to Lake Simcoe .
And yes know it well- have an old map in some of our files in the office.
Bruce

 

[geolang]

I believe George was referencing the portage route from head of the Humber to Holland River to Lake Simcoe .
And yes know it well- have an old map in some of our files in the office.
Bruce

Yes, that's right. I only became aware of its amazing historical significance after I bought this canoe and wondered about the decals!

 

[Pook]

I believe there is a highway marker describing the route on either Hwy 9 or Aurora Sideroad in the Schoenberg/ Holland Marsh area.

 

[Pook]

Schomberg

 

[fernieite]

That's a beautiful looking boat, @geolang
I'm too late to take the poll, but yes, I'm familiar with the ancient carrying route.
I actually live just about a stones throw from the Humber site!

 

[fernieite]

Here's a photo I just took of the plaque in our neighborhood.

 

[fernieite]

And a couple of the old maps that I found online.

 

[fernieite]

Joe Ziemba, who operated Carrying Place Canoe Works (Kleinburg, ON) has retired and closed his shop.

Yeah, I was disappointed to find that out. I had wanted to buy one of his Omer Stringer paddles and a painter ring.
It looks like he made some beautiful things over the years!