Serial number search request

[Jennifer Libby]

Good morning, I have a beautiful wood and canvas sea kayak from old town that needs to be restored. The goal is to restore it to original condition and so I need to know more about it. Serial number looks like 130479. Can you please help find information on this little gem and provide suggestions on where/how to start restoration? It’s pretty intimidating but I think I can do it! Thank you so much!

 

[Benson Gray]

Can you provide some pictures of the serial numbers and the kayak? Does it look like the one shown at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?attachments/2058/ from the early 1940s? The build record for 130479 shows a 16 foot long, canvas covered sea model motor boat that shipped in 1940 so that isn't a good match. Number 230479 went on a 17 foot long ABS plastic canoe in 1979. Number 180479 went on a 15 foot long wood and canvas canoe in 1968. Thanks,

Benson

 

[Jennifer Libby]

No, it doesn’t look like an actual kayak or the picture y sent. I’ve attached photos and the first is the serial number. I’m looking for information about it because I would like to restore it to its original condition. Thank you so much for helping me figure this out.

 

[Jennifer Libby]

It sounds like it’s a 1940’s 16 foot canvas covered sea boat - it definitely looks like there’s a mount area for a motor. Do you have any recommendations on who to contact to help restore it? Thank you.

 

[pklonowski]

Check out the Builders & Suppliers Directory here: https://www.woodencanoe.org/builders-suppliers
You can scroll down through the entire list, or use the "make a selection" button to localize the search by region.

 

[pklonowski]

You can also look for a Local Chapter here: https://www.woodencanoe.org/chapters
If there's an active group in your area, you might find someone interested in the project.

 

[Benson Gray]

Paul has suggested some excellent sources for restoration help. The Old Town boat with serial number 130479 is a 16 foot long, CS (Common Sense or middle) grade, canvas covered sea model boat with open spruce gunwales, a keel, outside stems, a floor rack, bilge keels, special bow and stern seats with cane, and the transom slotted wide enough for two motors. It was built in July, 1940. The original exterior paint color was dark green with a tropical green bottom. It shipped on July 29th, 1940 to Saco, Maine. A scanned copy of 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. 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 possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your boat. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson