Id Help - Thompson ?

[workingbadger]

The Maunesha Canoe Rescue Society was notified of this specimen located in central Wisconsin, near two summer camps. Sixteen feet long, longer than average decks, half-ribs, painted inside, glassed hull. ne deck has a little damage near the tip, and impression is that it is plywood, but I have not confirmed this. It may be just a repair. My initial thought was that it was a Thompson. I wasn't able to feel a steel band under the deck.. The wooden seats and half-ribs make me think it was a camp canoe. I don't know if I have ever seen a Thompson with longer decks. Anyone have any thoughts on if it is a Thompson?

 

[Dan Miller]

I'd be leaning towards it being a Racine.

 

[workingbadger]

Hmmm. Maybe. It has a nice flat bottom. I thought Racines were more round bottomed. The wood does seem a little 'rougher' than I am used to on Thompsons, particularly when I felt under the decks. Would a Racine have a serial number or tag somewhere? I guess I need to check some online phots.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Jake,
Thompson did make a few long deck canoes, but this is a Racine.

 

[workingbadger]

Well, I believe you are both correct. Referring to the Dragonfly CD's 1924 Racine catalog, I believe it is a Seneca model. It appears I overpaid for it. I could have saved $43 if I had bought it new. (Assuming no charge for the aftermarket fiberglass).

 

[chris pearson]

Navajos were always mahogany trim, Senecas not.

 

[workingbadger]

Yes, as stated in the catalog. The decks appear different in the drawings. This one has decks similar to the Seneca drawing. The Seneca decks are "30" clear white cedar with a light oak covering board", and appear as one pierce. Whereas the Navajo drawing shows several mahogany slices making up the deck. I previously mention a little damage near the tip, making me think it might be some sort of plywood repair. I now think that it is the "light oak covering board" that has developed a split and raised up. Thanks to both you and Dan for putting e o the right path. I was sucked into the Thompson idea by the wood plank seat hangers. I am stilll thinking it was a cap caoe due to the wood seats and half ribs.

 

[workingbadger]

Do any of the Racines have serial numbers or tags? I don't see one on the front stem. It is still on top the car, so I haven't been able to examine elsewhere. It as raining cats and dogs when I picked it up, so I didn't spend a lot of time looking for one. It appears solid, but its anyone's guess what is under the interior paint and fiberglass.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Jake,
The wood seat is likely a replacement. You will find rivets holding the gunwales on. I recall a number on the stem, but it is worthless for dating and identification.
This one was mahogany and had sponsons and now lives on Lake Geneva.

 

[workingbadger]

Very nice. And thanks, I will see if I can remove the paint on the cowling gently, to see if there is a decal !

 

[Dave Osborn]

I have replica decals if you get that far.

Another thought on the seats.
If this canoe came from a camp, it’s likely the original seats were destroyed by the kids.
I believe that that’s the same reason that Thompson used plank seats, or no seats on the low end Rangers that went to camps. Cane just couldn’t take the daily abuse.

 

[workingbadger]

Is there going to be a gathering this year?

 

[workingbadger]

I was thinking that these seats were plank seats installed at factory. I don't know if Racine did that, or even if the camps were open in 1927, when Racine closed its doors. Worth investigating though.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Jag Lake update. As you likely already know the Jag Lake gathering is scheduled for Friday, September 17- Sunday, September 19th. We have the site reserved from Thursday to Sunday. This means you can arrive at anytime on Friday morning, or-if you’d like and it makes things easier for folks that are traveling there- you could even arrive Thursday anytime after 3PM and spend the night at the group campsite.

Looking forward to a pleasant weekend!

 

[Dan Miller]

You'll also find Racine serial numbers stamped on the face of the ribs sometimes.

 

[workingbadger]

On a rib face, hmmmm. I will look. I assume it would be a rib near the stem. But then, I don't know how many coats of paint I would need to remove, carefully. Thanks Dan.

 

[Scotty]

Coming to this thread a bit late but I am restoring an old Racine and (finally) found the serial number stamped on the rib just under the aft end of the deck on the forward end of the boat, if that makes sense. Thanks

 

[workingbadger]

Thanks Scotty! Your photo is very interesting. Never seen woodwork like that under a deck. I thought the deck was integral with the gunwales. Did you just 'pop it off' ?

 

[workingbadger]

Are there any Racine records to get information on #5341 (if I read the umber correctly?)?

 

[Dan Miller]

Are there any Racine records to get information on #5341 (if I read the umber correctly?)?

Regrettably, no.