Old Town # 147525-16, serial number

[Jon Gafill]

We are considering restoring this canoe, any information on it's history would be appreciated. It's difficult to read the numbers, I think these are right.
Many Thanks
Old Town # 147525-16

 

[Benson Gray]

The Old Town canoe with serial number 147525 is a 16 foot long, AA (or top) grade, Otca model with white Maine cedar planking, open mahogany gunwales, a keel, and a floor rack. It was built between January and March, 1947. The original exterior paint was dark green. It shipped on March 31st, 1947 to Walloon Lake, Petoskey, Michigan. A scan showing this build record can be found by following the link at the attached thumbnail image below.

This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/ot_records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-the-wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://store.wcha.org/WCHA-New-Membership.html to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck with the restoration,

Benson