Gil Cramer
The wooden canoe Shop, Inc.
The Struer mahogany veneer racing kayak shown in the canoe photo index is on its way to its new home. It will hang as a decorator in the rafters of a cabin in the Les Cheneaux area of Northern Michigan. The kayak was built in the 1950's and its owner was using it to practice for the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics. Unfortunately, he was in an auto accident and was never able to competitively kayak again.
The kayak spent some time outdoors in the Portage Lakes area south of Akron and for the last twenty years or so resting in a garage in Cleveland. When the garage owner decided to move, the kayak had to go somewhere. The owner was actually going to throw it in the trash. Ric Anderson, a longtime WCHA member in Cleveland, help direct the canoe to The Wooden Canoe Shop,Inc.
After contacting Benson, the Struer Company, and the main Struer dealer in North America, it became obvious that the damage and alterations the kayak had endured made the kayak unsuitable for any racing. Even with the stern interior reinforced with 1 oz. fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin, I was hesitant for anyone to paddle the kayak. The decision was made to "restore" the kayak as a decorator or "hanger", for which it is perfectly suited. In recognition of its original intended use, the cotton deck was painted red, white, and blue.
I know some people don't like wooden canoes to be used for decorators, and obviously, I don't have a problem with it.
The kayak spent some time outdoors in the Portage Lakes area south of Akron and for the last twenty years or so resting in a garage in Cleveland. When the garage owner decided to move, the kayak had to go somewhere. The owner was actually going to throw it in the trash. Ric Anderson, a longtime WCHA member in Cleveland, help direct the canoe to The Wooden Canoe Shop,Inc.
After contacting Benson, the Struer Company, and the main Struer dealer in North America, it became obvious that the damage and alterations the kayak had endured made the kayak unsuitable for any racing. Even with the stern interior reinforced with 1 oz. fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin, I was hesitant for anyone to paddle the kayak. The decision was made to "restore" the kayak as a decorator or "hanger", for which it is perfectly suited. In recognition of its original intended use, the cotton deck was painted red, white, and blue.
I know some people don't like wooden canoes to be used for decorators, and obviously, I don't have a problem with it.
