Need help deciphering a hull number

[riverrat]

I have a canvas over wood 15ft canoe in my barn attic with the number CL859 stamped in both the bow and stern inner stem board. Can someone give me an idea of the manufacturer and approximate age of the canoe.

 

[MGC]

I have a canvas over wood 15ft canoe in my barn attic with the number CL859 stamped in both the bow and stern inner stem board. Can someone give me an idea of the manufacturer and approximate age of the canoe.

That appears to be a Penn Yan Hunter model. They were built between 1933 and 1960. They pretty nice little canoes.
I am never sure about the dating of PY's...there seems to be some sort of funkiness to how the numbers are assigned. It's certainly not built in 1989 so my next best guess is 1959? Possibly someone else that understands PY's numbering better than I do can confirm or correct this.

 

[smallboatshop]

Dan Miller has info here: http://dragonflycanoe.com/id/pennyan.html

 

[riverrat]

I appreciate the fast feedback. I already have a Penn Yan guide boat so it is a nice fit.