Old Town Molitor Serial # 217949 17 info please

[rapidan]

Hi all,

As always, thanks much for this valuable service. My latest "barn-fresh" find is this 17' Molitor, presumably from the 70's as it has a hull # plate as well as the serial number stamped in the inside stem. Green 'glass, very nice shape overall. Serial # is 217949 17, and the plate # if anyone is interested, is XTC17949M78C

I really do appreciate it.

Paul Kearney
WCHA Member

 

[Benson Gray]

The Old Town canoe with serial number 217949 is a 17 foot long Molitor model with a fiberglass covering in place of canvas and a keel. It was built between June and September, 1977. The original exterior paint color was green. It shipped on October 5th, 1977 to Dayton, Ohio. The back side of the record indicates that there was some damage in shipment. Scans showing both sides of this build record can be found by following the link at the attached thumbnail images below.

These scans and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others as you probably know well. 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 join or 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 renew.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. It looks great in your pictures. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Enjoy it,

Benson

 

[rapidan]

Double post

 

[rapidan]

Benson, thank you for the info. The canoe was purchased by an airman stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB. It's possible that the boat is still in original paint, since it retains the Old Town decals and the OH registration #s. I don't see any repaired areas, I suppose it's possible the damage was cosmetic (or I just can't find it). The canoe ended up in Maryland, where I purchased it from the original owner's widow yesterday. She told me that the boat has moved all over the country before landing in their barn rafters. Thanks so much for the rest of the story.

The canoe needs a cosmetic refresh, but like many Old Towns, is in remarkable shape for its age. She said they paddled it everywhere.

PK

 

[Benson Gray]

You have a nice find. My guess is that the repairs only cost $50 which was probably just a minor touch up to the original paint or varnish. I have a similar one from 1982 as shown at http://forums.wcha.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5305&d=1215358989 and they are great canoes.

Benson