New to me, 16 foot Chestnut canoe.

[fernieite]

Hi all,

I just joined the forum to try to get some information on a 16 foot Chestnut that I just bought. Does anyone know what model this would be, or the approximate year of manufacturing?

There are no logos remaining since the boat was restored about 24 years ago. However, I have a copy of the work invoice, and the restorer, Roger Foster (Carlisle Canoes) calls the boat a 16' Chestnut.

Here's the work he did in June of 2000: "General repairs to 16 ft Chestnut canoe, including new inwales, new outwales, 9 ribs, 43 feet planking, new keel and decks, canvas."

 

[fernieite]

Here are the measurements I just took:

15' 10" length, end to end.
35 1/4" beam at centre thwart.
13 3/4" deep from top of rib to top of gunwales. (Using a broom handle for a straight edge on top of the gunwales at centre thwart)
1 1/2" ribs (3/8" thick) 1 1/2" space in between.
3" planks.
Approximately 75 lbs.

Let me know if you'd like anymore measurements or photos.

Thanks.

 

[fernieite]

It also has a serial or model number, but it's not very legible at this point. Maybe some day I'll clean it up, or strip the varnish off in order to read the numbers properly. (Sorry, a couple of the photos are upside-down!)

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome, there aren't any know serial number records for the Canadian manufacturers so the dimensions may be your best hope for an identification. The details at https://woodencanoemuseum.org/builder-history/chestnut-canoe-company might help. There are many here who know much more about Chestnut canoes than me. Good luck,

Benson

 

[John Sand]

Welcome aboard, nice looking canoe!

 

[Gary]

Hi and welcome. You've found the best possible place to get any info you're looking for.
Although no expert I own three Chestnut canoes, a chum, pal, and prospector. Although only the chum is restored at this point.
I'd say your canoe looks like my pal? It's definitely post fire by the shape of the decks and the dimensions you've given similar to the pal.
Enjoy it they are great to paddle.
Gary

 

[samb]

It's definitely post fire by the shape of the decks and the dimensions you've given similar to the pal.
Enjoy it they are great to paddle.
Gary

Don't be misled about dating Chestnuts by deck shape. This is my 1913 ish Teddy

Lovely looking canoe though, whatever the age!

Sam

 

[fernieite]

Thanks for all the comments, gents!

Is it possible that Chestnuts were made somewhat loosely based on their catalogue measurements?

If this is a Pal, like @Gary proposed; my canoe's length is 2" short of the 16 foot catalogue's specification, in-between the 34" or 36" of the catalogue's beam spec, (depending on the year) and deeper than the catalogue's 12" or 12 3/4" depth spec. (Again, depending on the year)
(Assuming, I took my measurements correctly)

 

[fernieite]

Also, according to the catalogues; the Pal changed to 2 3/8" ribs by 1972. The 1964 catalogue still shows them as being 1 1/2", like mine.

Another alternative - By 1972, (Until 1977) the old 1 1/2" ribbed "Pal" was renamed the Deer...

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Skinny ribs were introduced to Peterborough, Chestnut and Canadian in 1939 and they alternated back and forth regularly. Looks like a Cedarwood or other that built on Chestnut forms, the bottom is excessively rounded which they tended to do, making them more tender than originals built by the factory.

 

[Jörg]

How would Cedarwood have made the bottom more rounded? Did they modify the original chestnut forms?

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Not enough soaking or steam, too quick off the form, etc will see significant springback, same as stems. Many of their canoes i've seen are quite rounded. Shortening thwarts can produce this effect, however its not normally desirable in terms of performance.

 

[Jörg]

Aha, that's interesting!
A friend of mine has a Cedarwood Prospector 16' with a very round bottom. Now I wonder if the original Chestnut would be less rounded.
Probably I'll never know for sure, because I don't know of any Chestnut Prospector here in Germany...

 

[Andre Cloutier]

You would find originals much less rounded. I restored a 16' a few years back, you can see that it and the chum next to it are fairly flat bottomed.

 

[fernieite]

Fwiw, here are a few more photos of mine. (These were taken a few days ago before I gave it a good cleaning) Of course, camera angles can sometimes make things appear a bit distorted or inaccurate...

 

[fernieite]

As mentioned in an earlier post, Roger Foster (Carlisle Canoes) restored it 24 years ago. He replaced the gunwales and decks, some ribs and planking and canvas.

It was all original before he worked on it, and he identified it as a 16' Chestnut.
Here's what the invoice detailed:

"General repairs to 16 ft Chestnut canoe, including new inwales, new outwales, 9 ribs, 43 feet planking, new keel and decks, canvas."

 

[fernieite]

And some more...

 

[fernieite]

Some neat old Chestnut paddles came with it, as well.