old town canoe

The serial number 84327 does not seem to correspond to the build record for that number. It was a 16-foot canoe built in 1924. I have attached that build record, which was for an AA quality Yankee model with open mahogany gunwales.

I have also attached several scans for serial number 84321-17, which might have been confused if the last digit is unclear. This was a 17-foot CS (ordinary) grade HW model with spruce gunwales and birch decks that was built in 1924 and shipped to Edgemont, N.H. The record indicates it was returned a few times for repairs, in 1936, 1950, 1953, and 1955. Associated with the build record were some hand-written sheets referring to the repairs and the owners at that time. I'm not sure these are actually associated with your canoe, but they were adjacent in the build record database. Six scans are attached to this post. I will attach the other two in the next post.

The scans are attached below-- click on them to get a larger image. These scans and several hundred thousand others 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 and anyone else reading this will join or renew membership in the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/join.php to renew.

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.

Norm
 

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Here are the other two repair records that may be associated with Old Town serial number 84321-17.

Norm
 

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Norm: Thank you for the information on the above-numbered canoe. I think the last number is a seven. The only thing that doesn't match is the length. It has mahogany decks, gunnels, and seats. If I get a chance, I'll check out the number again, as it's not located near where I live. Thanks again.

Mike
 
Upon closer inspection

Norm:

I was able to go look at the canoe again, this time with a flashlight. The correct number is 84322-17. I apologize for the inconvenience in not having the correct number earlier. Thank you so much for your efforts.

Mike
 
S.n. 84322-17

Mike,

Old Town Serial Number 84322 was from a 17-foot AA (high quality) grade Otca with mahogany gunwales, decks, thwarts and seats. It was built in April and May, 1925, and shipped in June 1925 to Decatur, Illinois. The original boat had a keel and a floor rack, and was painted green, possibly dark green but I can't read the handwriting.

The scan of this record is attached below-- click on it to get a larger image. This scan and several hundred thousand others 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 and anyone else reading this will join or renew membership in the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/join.php to renew.

It is also possible that you could have another canoe if this description doesn't match your canoe. Usually these canoes don't migrate too far from their original home. Was this boat anywhere near Decatur, Illinois? And do the details of mahogany gunwales and seats match your canoe? Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Norm
 

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Norm:

Thank you so much for your efforts. The description fits, although this canoe does have bilge keels. I understand from reading other posts that was not always mentioned on the build sheet, or they could have been added later. Other than being currently painted a putrid green, including the outwales, the canoe seems to be in good shape. The floor rack is there but in need of some repair. There is a brass fixture with a hole in the front seat. Would that have been for a sail?

Thanks again to you and all the others who diligently search the records.

Mike
 
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