Old Town 13677 18

[Benson Gray]

How about serial number 136774 as shown below? This is an 18 foot long Guide's model with open spruce rails, ash decks, ash thwarts, and a floor rack. This is the only 18 foot canoe in the 13677x range. It is highly unlikely that a canoe in the 23677x range would be made out of wood and in the condition you described. It would take some time to check the rest of the 1x3677 serial numbers.

Benson

 

[jmann652401]

Thanks Benson,
Of the ten 13677x SN 136774 is a possible match. Of the ten 1x3677 SN's you have already checked 113677 (a 17 footer) and 143677 (a possible match) leaving eight 1x3677 remaining.

And then there are the ten numbers in the 3677x series.

and 63677 and 83677.

That's a total of 20 remaining SN's.
I do understand that this would take some time and I'm asking for alot, but I do appreciate the effort and the information you have provided.

Once I get a complete list of all possible SN's I hope to use the build record to find the exact match. I don't know what the restored canoe will end up looking like, but it would be nice to know how it started out. It will be nice to tell people "this canoe began as this.....and was built in 19xx". That adds a little something to the final product I think.
I do thank you again for you efforts.
Regards
Joe Manning

 

[Fitz]

Both stems?

This might be a stupid question, but I'll throw it out there anyway...Did you check for the number on both stems? Sometimes you can deduce all the digits by looking at the variation in the stamped digits on both stems.

 

[jmann652401]

Fitz,
Not a stupid question at all. We looked at both stems. On one end we saw xx77 18 clearly. On the other end we can see 36xx 18. We're not sure where the 3677 falls in the complete SN. Odds are that they are the last four digits, but I'm just trying to cover all the bases. The stems are quite worn in the area of the SN. The information provided through this website has been very helpful.
Thanks for the input
Joe

 

[Benson Gray]

The records attached below are the only other 18 foot canoes in the 1x3677 and 3677x ranges. The 63677 and 83677 canoes are not 18 feet long.

Benson

 

[jmann652401]

Benson,
Thanks so much for the information. I now have the build records for all the possible canoes having 3677 in their SN. I should be able to tell which canoe I have. Now on with the restoration!
Thanks for you help
Joe Manning

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Joe,

Be sure to let us know what/which model you think it is.
Seems like it'd be easy to confirm or "throw out" the Guide, which has the low ends, chosing between the others might be tougher though.

Dan

 

[jmann652401]

Here are a couple of photos of the canoe in question. Please feel free to comment.
Could this be an Old Town? Or something else. Can you tell anything from the photos? any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks
joe

 

[Benson Gray]

My guess is that you have a Guide's Special or IF model. The planking pattern and deck looks like an Old Town.

Benson

 

[jmann652401]

What is a "Finish Rail"? The Build Record for 23677 notes that spruce finish rails were installed. Is it another term for "outwale"?
What is the difference between an "open" spruce gunwale, and a spruce gunwale with a spruce "finish rail"?
Can you tell from the photos if this is an original outwale? Is it a finish rail? It is made of spruce. The inwale is also spruce.
Regards
Joe

 

[Dan Miller]

What is a "Finish Rail"?

A finish rail is like an outwale, but is found on a closed gunwale canoe. 23677 was built early enough that it would have had closed gunwales, unless the record explicitly states "open spruce" or something similar. Closed gunwale canoes finish rails have two components - an outer rail at sheer on top of the canvas, and a cap rail covering the seam between the outer rail and inwale. Both of these are about 1/4" thick.

 

[jmann652401]

Hello again all, and happy holidays.
I've replaced both stems on this canoe and was able to get a close-up look at the serial number on the old stems. They are pretty worn down and the complete number is tough to read. I wetted the area with hot water and the digits, or partial digits became more visible as the area was drying. I think it's safe to say that I have Serial #136774. Benson has already provided the build sheet, and it's a match.
Now I have two more questions:
This canoe has copper tacks and was built in 1943. I thought that steel or or galvanized iron tacks were used during the WWII years due to the shortage of copper. Any comments?
I removed the deck and it only measures about 12 1/2", and not 16". I realize the tip is missing, but not to the extent that it would lose 3 1/2". The deck measures 5 1/2" at the widest point. I guess my question is, how is the length of the deck measured? For reference please look at the photo of the deck area I posted back in October.
Thanks
Joe Manning