Ot 176313 16

[ArkMaker]

Hello,
I just picked up this Old Town Canvas on Wood yesterday and I am iching to get to work on the restore. It has been 25 years since my last Canvas on wood canoe and while I have had many canoes since, none feel the same way in the water.
Any help you can give me with the build sheet is appreciated.
Thank you,
Rich

 

[MikeCav]

Hello Rich,
Welcome to WCHA. 176313 was assigned to a 16' Old Town Guide model with a keel installed and originally painted pale blue. It was delivered to Jacksonville FL in November of 1966. A copy of the build record is attached.

Scans of approximately 210,000 records were 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. Please join WCHA or make a tax deductable contribution so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA, http://www.wcha.org/wcha_video.php to watch a 10 minute video about WCHA and our programs and http://www.wcha.org/join.html to join. If you are already a WCHA member, THANK YOU!

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.

Best wishes and keep us informed of your progress. Lots of great folks here with a lot of knowledge to share.

 

[ArkMaker]

Thanks

Pale Blue...I was afraid of that. The only hint I had of the color was what is left of the keel. I won't lie, I wish it was Dark Green, but I said to myself when I got it that I was going to restore to original, so pale blue it is. Atleast my wife likes the color and that is a plus to have your spouse interested.
I guess now I will have to do some more research as to what the planking and wales were made of since ther is no note of that in the build record.
Will Old Town have that info?
Thanks again.
Rich

 

[MikeCav]

They were not putting as much info on the records in later years but ...Spruce inwales, possibly mahogany outwales, white cedar ribs, western red cedar planking - Dark Green was on 48% of the boats so you are safe with that if you choose, but pale blue is nice - your boat, your choice.

 

[ArkMaker]

Pale Blue

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a pale blue canoe. I might just have to add some spice to it, llike a water line and some fancy seminole type scroll work below the outrails. Whoa.. I am way ahead of myself here. Lots of work to be done first.
In a way I am glad that the boat is only 42 years lod instead of 70+. Like I mentioned in another post, the inside is in decent shape, no cracked ribs and only minor planking repairs. Stems seem to be in pretty fair shape. Maybe a tip splice but that is all I can tell until I really tear into it. I was waiting to receive the "Book" that I ordered as I have never attemped a restoration before. Built a few boats, but nothing like this. It has to be right this time around, so haunting that patience saying keeps ringing inmy ears.
Another interesting thing from the build sheet is this has not been a very traveled boat. I am in the town next to Jacksonville where it was originally delivered. Heck, I was ten years old when this canoe was made and I lived about 250 mile from where it was built (not in Fl, but in NE). Another weird thing is that was about the age that I (well my Dad) got my first canoe. I have no real recall of what it was, for all I know it was another OT. I guess this canoe was meant for me to find and bring back to its former glory.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Thanks again for all your help.
Rich