Old Town SS# 179248

[TimG]

Old Town Serial# 179248

Hello,

We've had this Old Town canoe in our family ever since I can remember (70s at least). I'm in the process of restoring it and I'd like to know what I can about it. Serial number is: 179248 15.

I'm also wondering where I could get replica side decals that say "Old Town" and a reproduction of the name plate that says; "This name plate shows this to be a . . . " .

Finally I was wondering if anyone out there could recommend a varnish appropriate for this canoe as I think it's known as a "strip canoe" (no canvas or paint just a clear varnish over the wood.

Thank you for the help!

Tim Gibbons

 

[Benson Gray]

The Old Town canoe with serial number 179248 is a 15 foot long Trapper model with a keel. It was built between October and November, 1967. The original exterior fiberglass was left clear to show the natural wood. It shipped on March 19th, 1968 to the West Yarmouth, Mass. A scan of this build record can be found by following the link behind the attached thumbnail image below.

This scan was created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. Additional information about the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/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/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/join.php to join.

The name plate decal for the deck is available from http://woodencanoe.org/catalog/prod...d=401&osCsid=4a41a6e97d92c0f9722b0411adb9b495 in the WCHA store. A similar side decal is available from the factory and at https://crab.secure-host.com/extrasport/oldtowncanoe/catalog.php?fr_sw=0&igroup_id=235&section_id=4 in their on line store.

I would recommend using a good marine or spar varnish for the interior which is how it left the factory. Your canoe has clear fiberglass in place of canvas on the outside. This is different from a modern strip built canoe that has fiberglass on both the inside and the outside.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description don't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson

 

[TimG]

Thank you Benson,

You were spot on with the description of the boat. 15' Trapper with natural finish it is. Thank you.

Thanks also for the build record. According to it, the second coat of varnish was applied exactly one year - to the day - before I was born.

One thing I'm curious about though - is your recommendation for the re-finish. Someone (I think my father) tried to put a coat of some kind of varnish on the exterior and it has since blistered and flaked. I just sanded it all off and would like to put a few coats of new varnish on. I hope that wasn't a mistake on my part since you didn't recommend anything for the exterior of the boat . . . .


Tim

 

[Benson Gray]

Removing a "blistered and flaked" varnish coat from the exterior and putting on a few fresh coats sounds like a reasonable approach to me. There are others here with more experience maintaining polyester resins who may offer better advice.

Benson

 

[TimG]

Removing a "blistered and flaked" varnish coat from the exterior and putting on a few fresh coats sounds like a reasonable approach to me. There are others here with more experience maintaining polyester resins who may offer better advice.

Benson

I'm sure your expertise is more than adequate for my humble efforts. Thanks again. . . . All this research has me thinking about building a strip canoe. . . . there are certainly some beauties out there.

Tim