Serial # 171388 16

[Jim in NC]

Hello, new member here, though I have lurked frequently over the years.
I have a 1914 White 18' with sponsons that my Father bought out of a barn before I was born (awaiting my restoration), and today just picked up a similar sponson equipped canoe (a 16 footer).
These are the only wood and canvas sponson models that I have ever seen in person.
This poor canoe has been suffering life as a sign (!) for the last few years, which always bothered me. I was able to purchase it and pull it down today! It is quite rough, so I imagine that I will get her into serviceable condition and looking good, not likely worth a perfect level restoration. I have not paddled my Dad's boat in many years, but remember well how amazing the performance of the boat was, so I just want to get paddling again!
I believe this sad unit I saved today is an old town, but I thought I would check in and see if someone could access the build record data via the serial number.
Both stems have this number stamp: 171388 16
Any help would be graciously appreciated, I am looking forward to dive back into these projects, they have been patiently awaiting my attention for many years now!

Many thanks ahead, - Jim in Spring Hope NC

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome and congratulations, the Old Town canoe with serial number 171388 is a 16 foot long Otca model with sponsons. It was built between September, 1961 and April, 1962. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on April 17th, 1962 to Stantonsburg, North Carolina. 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 more 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/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 http://www.wcha.org/about-wcha to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/store/membership to join.

It is 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. Good luck with the projects,

Benson

 

[Jim in NC]

AWESOME! So fun to know these details, Thank you so much Benson!
I will be happy to officially join WCHA in the near future.