RBC: Rhinelander Boat Co.
Hi Jon,
My name is Dave Schnell, I have been restoring Rhinelander Boat Co. boats & canoes since the 1970's. I have worked on a couple of dozen RBC canoes and I am aware of 4 models produced from 1908 until 1946.
The Lake Model, 16 feet, The Camp Model, 18 ft. The River Model 15 ft. & The Lightweight, also 15ft. There may have been others as they tended to make model changes every few years. I have seen both plain and Old Town type bolts and hardware, not sure why. Dave Osborne guess is probably correct. Sponsons, Old Town type row locks, paint colors and floor boards "To protect the planking from ladies heels" were offered as options.
Canoes were a secondary business for RBC. Their canoes do seem close to Morris canoes in many details. RBC's main business was wood fishing row boats & speed boats. They also produced at least one sailboat, Elto Water board "scooters" Duck Decoys, Bronze row boat hardware, Oars, Paddles and the Rhinelander Canoe & Rowing seat.
Andreas' history is mostly correct (As far as I know anyway) I have the company forming in Sayner WI in 1903, moving to Rhinelander in 1908 and closing its doors in 1955. The phone number was "157". Try calling that today. There are quite a few owners names and partners mentioned over the years, some conflicting, so it is not completly clear. The forms, hardware, etc were sold off and most were lost in a Barn fire in Mercer WI in 1971.
I have some of the stuff, one of their 36" Band saws, wood wheels an old sucker, the Rowing seat form, some Bronze hardware casting forms, drawings etc. I have owned the Trademark since 1995 to market some of the RBC items. I got interested in RBC boats and canoes as a kid fishing with guides in No. WI. Most fished out of the "Rhinelander Guide's Special No. 70" A slick Whitehall type, carvel planked 16' row boat made the entire time RBC was in business.
I attach a few catalog and photos. Hope the scans show OK.
Happy New Year,
Dave