Looking for info on an Old Town (?) canoe

[Michael Byrne]

We have a wooden/canvas canoe which has been in the family for 50+ years, and was purchased used in the Adirondacks in the late '60s. The serial number on the stem boards is "RN 433." We've always believed it's an Old Town, but the number doesn't seem to gibe with that. Any thoughts?

Thanks! Mike Byrne

 

[Dave Osborn]

Mike,
It’s a Penn Yan Rainbow model. Likely 16’ in length. Here is some info....
https://woodencanoemuseum.org/builder-history/penn-yan-boat-company

 

[Michael Byrne]

Thanks so much, Dave! So it looks like it was built somewhere between 1948 and 1960, according to the Penn Yan site. Any way to narrow that down?

Mike

 

[Dave Osborn]

Here is a dating theory. Records don’t exist so unlike Old Town and Kennebec, you may only get an unproven guess.

http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/penn-yan-canoe-rns-6144.10542/#post-54856

 

[Michael Byrne]

Great -- thanks again!