Old Town Boat

[David Satter]

1950s Old Town 14 foot. Strip planked. I have a question about the seats. Both front and center seat have backs with hinges on them for folding? I'd like to do this boat close to historically correct. Though I know some things on these old boats we'll never know the answer to. The seats can't fold down there's a knee in the way so they can only fold 6 inches or so. The hinges look like just 3 whole brass door or cabinet hinges. Could they be correct? No other holes or markings so it looks like they have always been there. They just look odd to me.
Dave

 

[Benson Gray]

It is unusual to have both knees near the middle of the seat and a hinged back in the same boat. The catalog pictures at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?attachments/39482/ show knees with no backs and the one at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?attachments/21176/ shows backs with no knees. The ones in the boat at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/18246/ are near the stern on the two bow seats and may have been placed there to accommodate seat backs. What is the serial number? The build record may have more information. They might be original.

Benson

 

[David Satter]

156106 14 on inside bottom transom knee

 

[David Satter]

Looks like the 14 ft. square stern model . http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?attachments/39482/ with seat backs and someone added a steering wheel.

 

[Benson Gray]

The build record at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/17898/ and the 1951 catalog page below make no mention of seat backs. My guess is that these backs were added after this boat left the factory.

Benson

 

[David Satter]

Yes, I agree, I checked measurement's it's the decked version. Had to have added backrests at some point. I do remember looking at that build sheet. I finally have it in the shop. Thanks Benson.