Information on my Old Town?

[alansoliver]

I purchased this 15 foot Old Town Canoe 10 years ago to restore and use. Just getting around to either restoring or selling but would like to know more about it. Here is the number stamped in it: 140298-15. It is structurally sound except that it needs a new canvas and one seat recaned. All the ribs are sound and varnish still doing a good job keeping them that way. Just took it down from hanging in my garage all these years and looking to get something done with it. My coworkers are trying to tell me to make it into shelves but it is in good shape and really looks good!

If I were to restore it where do I get information on doing this step by step and what would be the cost to recanvas? Or if I were to sell it what would be a rough estimated value?

Thank you for any information.

 

[Ric Altfather]

Ot 140298

alansoliver,

The canoe you have was shipped on August 29, 1944 to Roscommon, MI. It was ordered as a 15' 50# model in CS grade with western cedar planking, spruce wales, ash seats, thwarts and decks. Also, it was built with a keel and the original color was dark green with a steel gray bottom. A build record is attached.
In answer to your other questions, if the canoe is as nice as you say don't cut it up for shelves ...it was built as a canoe to be used in lakes and rivers, it has been around for 61+ years and will go another 60 with a little care. If you want to get rid of it, post an ad here or give your e-mail so others can contact you. How much is it worth...check this link for Benson Gray's insite http://www.wcha.org/tidbits/guide/index.html
For restoration materials and pricing along with expert restoration services, visit... http://www.wcha.org/buildsupply/index.html
If you decide to restore and paddle this fine canoe, please consider joining the WCHA. This service and many other services contained here were brought about by substantial grants and volunteer time to help others preserve Wood Canvas Canoes. The experts are here...who knows, when you see it with new canvas, paint and varnish, you may want to pass it on to your children or grand children! If you want book shelves, Home Depot has a sale on pre-finished shelves...no work involved.
Let us know what you plan to do and best of luck,

Ric Altfather

 

[Benson Gray]

The message at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?t=57 has a lot of good information about how to value and sell an old canoe. One old canoe in good shape is usually worth more whole than it is as two bookshelves. If you want to restore it yourself then some of the books at http://virtualbooks.wcha.org/ can guide you through the process. "The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to Its History, Construction, Restoration, and Maintenance" by Jerry Stelmok and Rollin Thurlow is a good place to start. These forums also contain a lot of detailed information and can help if you have other specific questions. Good luck,

Benson