OT Ser # 116868 Build History

[PSCG]

The Patuxent Small Craft Guild, Solomons, Md is in the process of researching OT Canoe Ser # 116868 for a restoration project starting next year. The canoe is a sailing version with sponsons and a 45 Sq Ft sail. We have the rudder and the sail rig with a tattered, original (I believe), Egyptian cotton sail. We are missing the mast and the lee board assembly.

To complete the restoration as faithfully as possible, we would appreciate any assistance you can provide with the following:

1. Build history for Ser No. 116868

2. Source of parts and detail dimensional information relating to the mast and lee board assembly. I think I've seen all the relavent information on the forum relating to both, including all Benson Gray's excellent posts. Benson provided the mast dimensions and assuming no taper, we can make one of those. But the mast head configuration is still a question. I've scaled, as best I can, from his info and that of the Dragonfly Canoe Works site, to come up with workable drawings for the lee board assembly. However, if someone has an original lee board assembly and mast that we could trace/measure for reproduction (or purchase for that matter), that would be of great help. I'm sure our scaled version of the lee board assembly would be close and look OK, but an exact reproduction or original would be perfect. Also, any thoughts on obtaining or making the lee board brackets would be appreciated. If nothing better turns up, our plan is to cut and braze/fabricate them from brass stock, using the Dragonfly pictures as a guide. But if a better approach is out there, please let us know.

Thanks for your help,

Al, PSCG

 

[Al Sienkiewicz]

Al: I can help you out with the first part of your request. The Old Town canoe with serial number 116868 is an 18 foot long, HW (Heavy Water) model with open spruce gunwales, outside stems, floor rack, sponsons and a keel. The deck, thwarts and seats appear to be ash, possibly oak it's hard to read off the scan. The canoe was built between December 1935 and April 1936. The shipment date was April 25, 1936 to Baltimore, Maryland. The original exterior paint color was black with a 5/8" gold stripe. A scan of this build record can be found by following the link at the attached thumbnail image below.

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 will join or 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.

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.

- Al

 

[PSCG]

Al,

Thanks for the build info. That's the one! Black with a gold stripe sounds interesting.

Al