Partial number for Old Town Sport Boat

[Boatnut]

Here is a picture of the number on the stem of what I am nearly convinced is an Old Town Sport Boat. The dimensions closely match those in the 1960’s Old Town catalog for this model.
The ID # is almost as worn out as the rest of the boat. (It is going to be a great summer project.) The visible numbers appear to be 86T6 and maybe 9. Does this provide a clue for you Benson or anyone else with expertise in this nautical detective work? Ideally, I would like to find out the year, construction materials and the other information that appeared on the OT invoices.
Matt Lutkus, Damariscotta, Maine

 

[Benson Gray]

Your picture may be upside down and cropped too much. I see 59199 after flipping it around. This build record shows a 17 foot long HW so that isn't a good match. My guess is that you might really have serial number 159199. This is a 12 foot long, CS (Common Sense or middle) grade, square stern model with a keel, outside stems, and a floor rack. It was built between January and December, 1953. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on July, 30th, 1954 to Angola, New York. A scan showing this build record can be found below.

This scan 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/catalogs/old-town/records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will donate, join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See https://www.woodencanoe.org/about to learn more about the WCHA and https://www.woodencanoe.org/shop to donate or join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match. See http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?attachments/15063/ for the page describing it in the 1953 catalog. The full catalog from 1948 at https://woodencanoemuseum.org/index.php/manufacturer-catalog/old-town-canoe-company-1948 may be helpful if you want to compare your boat to the sport boat. The sport boat is on page 14 and the square stern is on page 18 there. The dimensions are very close. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson

 

[Boatnut]

Thanks very much Benson. You are a remarkable sleuth when it comes to doing this research.

Also, I tuned into your White Rose Canoe Zoom presentation on Old Town last night. Thank you for your insights into this legendary company. Are you related to the company’s founding family?

Finally, I did renew my membership in WCHA this morning. I am very happy to be part of this great organization.

 

[Benson Gray]

Are you related to the company’s founding family?

I'm glad you liked the presentation and yes, George Gray is my great-grandfather. Your membership renewal is much appreciated,

Benson

 

[Boatnut]

Benson, The catalog description of the 12’ square stern is in fact a closer match to my boat. There are knees attaching the front seat to the hull and brackets for a tool box under the stern seat, features that I don’t find in the Sport Boat description. Here is my project boat: