Revised Search Request

[SteveDetwiler]

Finally got access to the canoe I posted for search about a month ago, so here goes: I've checked serial #'s fore and aft using all methods. Definitely only 5 numerals, but cannot positively ID all of them. First numeral obscured - could be 0, 2, 5, 6 or 9. Then 5582 or 5592. No evidence of name plate on deck. No diamond head bolts. Length 17', width across gunwales 35.5", depth 12.5". Decks are 20" (mahogany?) with open gunwales (mahogany?). Fore and aft brass painter rings, has floor rack (not shown in photos) and keel. Stern seat appears original with hole cane. Front seat is spline cane with 2" diam. mast ring and floor mast step (not original). Stern has 2 brass rudder brackets, but no rudder found. Set of lee boards with canoe are pictured (distinctive butterfly insets) but mounting hardware is not complete. No mast or sail. Thanks!

 

[Benson Gray]

My guess is that you have the Old Town canoe with serial number 65592 since this is the only 17 foot long canoe with mahogany decks and rails with a serial number that matches the patterns you specified. It is an AA (or top) grade, Otca model with western red cedar planking, open mahogany gunwales, twenty inch mahogany decks, mahogany thwarts, mahogany seats, a keel, a floor rack, and two painter rings. It was built between April and July, 1921. The original exterior paint was yellow with a name in gold on the right bow. It shipped on July 19th, 1921 to Ausable Forks, New York. 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/about-the-wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://store.wcha.org/WCHA-New-Membership.html to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. The sailing rig is not mentioned on the build record so that was added later. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson