RacineWis

Kathryn Klos

squirrel whisperer
Starting a thread for RacineWis canoes. There were three models: the Chippewa, the Seneca, and the Navajo. I'll post pictures in replies to this thread.
 
RacineWis Chippewa model

Here are three examples of the Chippewa model-- a 15, a 16, and an 18 footer (this model also came in 17 feet). These canoes appear to date from the 1920s. Our canoes (the 16 and 18) were purchased from a property that was built in the early 1920s.

The 15 footer was owned at the time of these pictures by WCHA member Craig Kitchen, whose smiling face is seen paddling it on one of our U.P. Chapter Adventures. This canoe is in original condition-- original canvas and beautiful mellowed interior. We know it hasn't been re-canvassed because there are rivets in the gunwales, as seen in the shot down the side of the canoe in the third picture.

Serial numbers on these canoes consist of four digits with length below, appearing on the rib just beyond the bow seat.

Pictures:

Single-petal deck with decal (on 18 footer)
Craig paddles his 15 footer on Harlow Lake
15 foot Chippewa in original condition at Dome Show, Marquette, MI
Decal Close-Up (15 footer)
Loading the 15 foot Chippewa
Deck of 16 foot Chippewa
(continued)
 

Attachments

  • 18 RacineWis 1.jpg
    18 RacineWis 1.jpg
    643.7 KB · Views: 955
  • Craig and Racine2.JPG
    Craig and Racine2.JPG
    858.6 KB · Views: 898
  • Racine 15 3.JPG
    Racine 15 3.JPG
    771.6 KB · Views: 931
  • decal 4.JPG
    decal 4.JPG
    766.4 KB · Views: 891
  • racine 15 5.JPG
    racine 15 5.JPG
    721.6 KB · Views: 990
  • Racine deck 6.JPG
    Racine deck 6.JPG
    744.9 KB · Views: 862
More RacineWis Chippewa

Interior, 16 footer
Profile, 16 footer
Serial number, 16 footer

I will eventually add some better pictures and link to a video of these canoes. They are presently in the loft of the barn, with only scary-ladder access.
 

Attachments

  • Racine sn 9.JPG
    Racine sn 9.JPG
    837.2 KB · Views: 759
  • racine side 8.JPG
    racine side 8.JPG
    774.2 KB · Views: 796
  • Racine seat 7.JPG
    Racine seat 7.JPG
    90.1 KB · Views: 760
RacineWis Seneca model

Captured on video, here is an example of the 17 foot Seneca model:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6mPh68GcI4

The Seneca, according to the Racine Boat Company Catalog, has decks of "30 inch clear white cedar with light oak covering board." The canoe in the video was redone with cherry decks (not by Denis).
 
riveted gunwales

As far as we know, RacineWis did--- our two Chippewas have indications that rivets were once there.

There's a comprehensive series of articles on Racine canoes in Wooden Canoe:

Issue 112 (August 2002) "The Racine Canoe, Part 1: The Racine Hardware Manufacturing Company 1879-1893"

Issue 114 (December 2002) "The Racine Canoe, Part 2: The Racine Boat Manufacturing Company 1893-1916"

Issue 116 (April 2003) "Is It a Racine? Or Is It a Racine?"

Issue 118 (August 2003) "The Racine Canoe, Part 3: The Racine Yacht and Boat Works, 1895 to 1899"

Issue 121 (February 2004) "The Racine Canoe, Part 4: The Racine Boat Company, 1906 to 1928"
 
Racine Seneca 18

I have a Racine Seneca 18 that I will begin to restore this winter. Here are some current photos. Please see and comment.
 
If your pictures didn't attach, they might be too large and will work if you resize them. Looking forward to seeing your Seneca.
 
Posting Tim's Pictures

Tim sent me his pictures and I'm posting them, six at a time.

The following is what he says about the canoe--- he'd appreciate the thoughts of others.

Tim says, "Generally the canoe seems sound. There is damage to the gunwales at a seat and it think I will have to replace or at least repair these. I will know more once I start to take things apart. I believe it still has the original coating on the interior, a kind of reddish stain."
 

Attachments

  • racine6.jpg
    racine6.jpg
    67.4 KB · Views: 597
  • racine5.jpg
    racine5.jpg
    41.9 KB · Views: 591
  • racine4.jpg
    racine4.jpg
    62.5 KB · Views: 594
  • racine3.jpg
    racine3.jpg
    47.8 KB · Views: 593
  • racine002.jpg
    racine002.jpg
    51.9 KB · Views: 597
  • racine001.jpg
    racine001.jpg
    60.4 KB · Views: 579
Here are another six pix...
 

Attachments

  • racine13.jpg
    racine13.jpg
    49.7 KB · Views: 553
  • racine12.jpg
    racine12.jpg
    52.3 KB · Views: 548
  • racine10.jpg
    racine10.jpg
    49.3 KB · Views: 534
  • racine9.jpg
    racine9.jpg
    38.2 KB · Views: 565
  • racine8.jpg
    racine8.jpg
    59.6 KB · Views: 599
  • racine7.jpg
    racine7.jpg
    53.8 KB · Views: 588
... and the last few. Pictures such as these can help others figure out which breed of canoe they have-- thanks, Tim.
 

Attachments

  • racine17.jpg
    racine17.jpg
    57.8 KB · Views: 609
  • racine16.jpg
    racine16.jpg
    48.3 KB · Views: 600
  • racine15.jpg
    racine15.jpg
    64.3 KB · Views: 568
  • racine14.jpg
    racine14.jpg
    57.8 KB · Views: 581
Interesting. Photo #6 of Kathryns post show the inwales 'crossing', that is, one longer and covering the tip of the other. Also, the inner gunwales have no sign of rivetss, were the outers then attached with screws? Thanks.
 
17 ft Racine Chippewa

I didn't see any photos of a 17 ft Chippewa, so I thought I would add mine. She had sponsons when I bought her, but I liked the lines better without them.
 

Attachments

  • P1000825.jpg
    P1000825.jpg
    195.6 KB · Views: 537
  • P1000826.jpg
    P1000826.jpg
    114 KB · Views: 543
Thought I'd post some pictures of an 18' Navajo model.

Some are before stripping some are after. still needs to be restored.

I will say it has some of the nicest wood I've seen; ribs, planking and mahogany trim. The combings on the decks are about 3 1/2 inches tall. The 4th pic shows it on top of a Willits combing.

I also found a deep red stain on everything which I notices someone else found on one of these canoes.

Paul
 

Attachments

  • IMAG0409.jpg
    IMAG0409.jpg
    58.3 KB · Views: 524
  • IMAG0410.jpg
    IMAG0410.jpg
    49.1 KB · Views: 532
  • IMAG0400.jpg
    IMAG0400.jpg
    79.8 KB · Views: 533
  • Gunwale Rivets.jpg
    Gunwale Rivets.jpg
    117.5 KB · Views: 537
  • 0709%20Canvas%20Stripped%201.jpg
    0709%20Canvas%20Stripped%201.jpg
    87.8 KB · Views: 563
  • 0713%20Starboard%20Serial%20No%20v2.jpg
    0713%20Starboard%20Serial%20No%20v2.jpg
    96.8 KB · Views: 615
Last edited:
Here's some more
 

Attachments

  • Aft Deck.jpg
    Aft Deck.jpg
    109 KB · Views: 567
  • IMAG0415.jpg
    IMAG0415.jpg
    67.8 KB · Views: 525
  • Outer Gunwales and Outer Stem.jpg
    Outer Gunwales and Outer Stem.jpg
    64.2 KB · Views: 508
Nice canoe, Paul. Interesting that the hull is marked in blue crayon, which Jack McGreivey's article says is a character of Racine Boat Manufacturing Co.
 
Back
Top