New Year, New Canoe Mystery

[Shaun]

Just home from road trip - family visit and new canoe purchase. Anxious for any help with ID on this one. 16 ft has been rebuilt at least once, seems very old.



End profiles



Decks, first one older I believe

stern bow

seat and thwart original hardware (?)

Nicely tapered ribs with outer gunwales attached by screws from inside

 

[Shaun]

Center thwart appears original (mahogany) with very nice lines - unlike other thwarts that appear newer and rougher

No visible numbers stern bow

 

[Shaun]

I thought the experts would jump on this one. Not even a guess? I would like to call it a pre diamond bolt Old Town, but admit to being too uninformed for a real opinion.

The center thwart was held in with wing nuts. Hoping for a serial number shadow when dirt and varnish are cleaned up. It may have fiberglass on the skin. Hate to tear into it before getting an idea of what it might be.

Please...

 

[Benson Gray]

It certainly looks like a nice one but I am no expert on the canoe builders from your part of the country. This doesn't look like an Old Town or Carleton from before the 1920s to me. Some varnish remover on the inside stems may reveal any hidden serial numbers. If you don't find any numbers then it is probably from one of the smaller builders or home made. Good luck,

Benson

 

[Paul Miller]

I'd agree with Benson, could be small builder or home built. Never seen outwales screwed from the inside at every rib top.

The gap between the inwale and outwale at the tip of the deck is wide and not tapered as most are.

That's my 2 cents,

Happy New Year
Paul

 

[Shaun]

Thanks Benson and Paul. I'm good with UNSUB (unknown subject). I like the general lines and workmanship in this one. Will let you all know if any further identifiers show up as I work on it. My first inclination is to try to keep as many original components as possible - repair rather than replace - and to replace parts that were unmatched in previous work, ie. thwarts and one deck.

Anyone else want to take a stab at make/builder?

Canoe was found in the Indianapolis area and was still in occasional use (as a canoe not wall hanging).