Horace Strong Canoe 1984

[STUMPKNOCKER]

I am looking for information on my newly purchased Horace Strong canoe that was probably built around 1984. I cannot find a serial number (maybe I don't know where to look). Any suggestions? It measures 16'4". Thanks

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome and congratulations, a canoe built in 1984 should have a hull identification number on the starboard stern just below the outside gunwale. Most builders stamped their serial numbers on the end of the inside stem. The first link below explains how to find them. I suspect that Horace may not have numbered his 151 canoes. He contributed many articles to the Wooden Canoe magazine as listed in the second link below. The tribute to him in issue number 185 has a good summary of his life. Information about his canoes may be more limited. Good luck,

Benson

Thread 'How do I find a serial number on an old wooden canoe or boat?'

Oct 2, 2005

Many old wooden canoes and boats have a serial number on both inside stems and a decal or tag with the manufacturer's logo on the bow deck. The number is usually stamped on the top of the lower part of the stems. The inside stems are the long curved pieces of wood that form the ends of the canoe. You want to look on the part that extends out from under the decks on the bottom of the floor inside the hull. The serial numbers are stamped in each end of the canoe so check both if a single digit is not clear. These numbers in the stern of boats are occasionally on the edge of the center...

• Benson Gray
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• 

Index (Issues 1 - 176) | WoodenCanoeHeritage

An index of the first 176 issues of Wooden Canoe, the journal of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association.

www.woodencanoe.org

 

[MGC]

On Horace tag, as mentioned by Benson, the last two digits seem to be the year of construction.
These are good canoes and worth owning. I've nearly bought several with only my limited storage and my wife's keen awareness of how many canoes I have holding me back. Good score!

 

[STUMPKNOCKER]

Thanks for the replies. I look forward to reading the articles and hopefully finding the serial number. I purchased the canoe from the original owner who took delivery of it in 1985. He said he only had it in the water once, turned it over with his wife in it, and placed it in his garage never to be used again. The wood seems to be in great shape with no signs of dry rot, checks or cracks. The paint has faded and there are signs of streaking, but no cracks or blisters. I am concerned about the integrity of the canvas but I intend to lightly sand, add a coat of paint and use it until it needs further attention. -mike

 

[MGC]

The canvas is probably just fine. If you do not see any obvious signs of filler failure, your plan to lightly sand it and put a coat of paint on it is probably good. Check for possible canvas dry rot under the rails.
I had been thinking about following up my earlier post to suggest that the tag might have been removed if the boat was recanvased or even canvased over, but if the boat is original, that rules both of those scenarios out.

 

[STUMPKNOCKER]

There is a tag on the deck "Made by Strongs Canoe Yard CRAFTSBURY COMMON VERMONT 05827" but I do not see a hull ID number anywhere. Benson Gray mentioned his "151" canoes might not have been numbered, would that be the student built canoes?

 

[Benson Gray]

his "151" canoes might not have been numbered, would that be the student built canoes?

That total came "from his writing" as quoted in the tribute from Wooden Canoe issue number 185 shown below.

Benson

 

[STUMPKNOCKER]

Thanks Benson!