Kennebec Canoe

[rova]

Hello,
I just picked up a Kennebec canoe in close-to-fair shape out of someone's garage-then-yard. It has the following serial number: 103029
Is there any ready information available?
I plan on joining this fine organization later this evening and look forward to the community and all that it encompasses.
Jonathan

 

[Benson Gray]

The Kennebec canoe with number 103029 is a 16 foot long "Kineo Special" model shown on pages 224 and 225 of volume four in the Kennebec ledgers. It was planked by Morgan on March 7th, 1931. The canvas covering and first filler coat were applied by T. Thib. on the same day. C. Thib. applied the second filler coat on June 13th, 1931. It was railed by King on June 20th, 1931. The "F 22" (Function number 22 or the keel?) was completed by Giroux on the same day. The "F24" (Function number 24 or the thwarts?), "F25" (Function number 25 or the seats?), and "F28" were completed by Lenord on July 11th, 1931. The original color was red. It was packed by Orchard on July 11th, 1931. It is listed as being shipped on July, 10th 1931 to location "31-546" but this date is likely to be an error since it is out of sequence. This location is probably an order number but we don't currently have enough information to identify it.

The scans of these build records can be found by following the links at the attached thumbnail images below. These original Kennebec records are reproduced through the courtesy of the Maine State Museum.

The microfilms and scans of these records were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA). I hope that you will join 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. More information about Kennebec is available at http://store.wcha.org/The-Historic-...pany-Catalog-Collection-Version-2-CD-ROM.html in the Historic Wood Canoe and Boat Company Catalog Collection. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck with the restoration,

Benson

 

[rova]

Thank you for such a quick reply, Benson. I am looking forward to learning more about Kennebec's as this restoration begins and progresses. Thanks also for the suggestions and links. I am now a member of WCHA and, again, look forward to being a part of the community.
Jonathan

 

[rangerkevin]

What is very interesting to me is I just finished restoration on a 17' Kineo Special that was being built in the factory the same time yours was. Mine was shipped May 25, '31. Below is the link to the thread on my restoration. If I can be of any help to you with your restoration, I imagine you'll run into some of the same questions I had. Feel free to pick whats left of my brain after the varnish stripper!

http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?8858-1931-Kennebec-Kineo-Special

 

[rova]

Thanks Kevin,
The thread was fun to read through and see the progress. You made quick work of that. I don't think I'll be able to restore this one by it's birthday in July but perhaps by the Fall. I have to finish a restoration of a Seliga, first. But the Kennebec is a project my father and I are taking on for him. I am looking forward to it. I am sure I will have questions and be in need of advice and answers. I will be in touch. I will document it and start a thread soon.