Checking for a friend
- Thread starter owlsroost
- Start date
Kathryn Klos
squirrel whisperer
The serial numbers on Old Town canoes don't have a space after the first two digits... so if this is the way it appears on your friend's canoe, it may not be an Old Town. I've found a record for 146083, but please compare this record with the actual boat and if you are in doubt, share pictures here. The final two numbers-- after a space-- are the canoe's length and "16" fits the record for 146083.
Old Town 146083 is a 16 foot CS ("common sense" or middle) grade Yankee model canoe that was completed between August and October of 1946. It has open spruce gunwales, ash decks/thwarts/seat frames, half ribs, and a keel. Original color was dark green. It was shipped to a fellow in Sanford, ME, on November 1, 1946.
The half ribs are a clue as to whether this might be the correct record. Also, the shipping destination-- boats don't seem to travel far from their original spot--- at least, not until recent times!
Image of the scan of this record is attached below-- click on it to get a larger image.
This scan and several hundred thousand others were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available athttp://www.wcha.org/ot_records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-the-wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://store.wcha.org/WCHA-New-Membership.html to join.
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.
More information on the Old Town Company can be found in Sue Audette's book, Old Town, Our First Hundred Years, which is available through the WCHA store and most booksellers, eBay, Amazon, and public libraries.
Kathy
Old Town 146083 is a 16 foot CS ("common sense" or middle) grade Yankee model canoe that was completed between August and October of 1946. It has open spruce gunwales, ash decks/thwarts/seat frames, half ribs, and a keel. Original color was dark green. It was shipped to a fellow in Sanford, ME, on November 1, 1946.
The half ribs are a clue as to whether this might be the correct record. Also, the shipping destination-- boats don't seem to travel far from their original spot--- at least, not until recent times!
Image of the scan of this record is attached below-- click on it to get a larger image.
This scan and several hundred thousand others were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available athttp://www.wcha.org/ot_records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-the-wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://store.wcha.org/WCHA-New-Membership.html to join.
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.
More information on the Old Town Company can be found in Sue Audette's book, Old Town, Our First Hundred Years, which is available through the WCHA store and most booksellers, eBay, Amazon, and public libraries.
Kathy
Attachments
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owlsroost
Fishing Guide
Thank you so much Kathryn. Knowing this fellow, he doesn't always pay attention to detail so he could have put the space in by mistake but he did do it twice because he was unsure of the last two numbers. But I will forward this valuable information on to him and ask the questions that might solve this mystery. Again thanks.
Kathryn Klos
squirrel whisperer
You are very welcome!
The Yankee has an interesting history. A nice all-around canoe, it was commonly used in fleets at children's camps.
A 1946 canoe may have slatted seats rather than cane, as the canoe companies lost access to caning supplies during WWII and slat seats are seen as late as 1947. So, this canoe may or may not have caned seats.
Would be interesting to know if the original owner was a soldier who'd just returned home from the war.
The Yankee has an interesting history. A nice all-around canoe, it was commonly used in fleets at children's camps.
A 1946 canoe may have slatted seats rather than cane, as the canoe companies lost access to caning supplies during WWII and slat seats are seen as late as 1947. So, this canoe may or may not have caned seats.
Would be interesting to know if the original owner was a soldier who'd just returned home from the war.
