Ot #85212

[DaveKunz]

Came across a OT Square Stern (I think) boat in iffy condition. S/N is 85212. Interested in build record if available, and any info about construction, variants, accessories, original cost, etc. Would also like to know whether there's still a market for these boats, if I decide to restore it.
Thanks!

 

[MikeCav]

Dave,
The boat with #85212 is a 16' square stern with sponsons in CS (common sense) grade with open spruce gunwales, birch decks, seats and thwarts. It was painted Dark Green and shipped to RH Macy's in NYC in February, 1925. 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 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.

 

[DaveKunz]

Thanks!

Thanks, Mike -

I'm sure that's the one, although it doesn't have the sponsons mounted any more. The current owner mentioned that he thought there had been sponsons at some point. Also that it had been used for many years on Canandaigua Lake.

I was ready to pass on restoring it, but I spotted a 1967 version of the same boat on ebay which looks pretty good. Might be a good summer project. We'll see. I wonder how marketable these things are -- I'd expect it would make someone a nice flishing boat.

I see that you're in the Albany area, Mike. My sister has a place on Great Sacandaga Lake, and I hope to get up there soon with my newly restored 1922 Kennebec, S/N 16085. Kinda proud of my first restoration - it was my dad's canoe, and needed LOTS of work. But it seems to float right side up, and I hope to get lots of use from it. If you'd like I'll let you know when I expect to be in your part of the world.

Thanks again.