Sn 108948 16
- Thread starter citymink
- Start date
Greg Nolan
enthusiast
Welcome to the WCHA. Getting a build record, if one is available, is a good place to start. If no build record is available, send some pictures of your canoe -- people here can often id a canoe from pictures. It is always good to know what kind of canoe you have.
Before you actually do anything, you should get, or at least look at, "The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to its History, Construction, Restoration, and Maintenance" by Rollin Thurlow and Jerry Stelmok, often called the "bible" of canoe repair, restoration, and maintenance. It's available through the WCHA online store, Amazon, and often used on eBay. It gives detailed information on just how to do many of the steps -- painting, canvas care, wood replacement, wood rot issues, etc. -- that may be required to bring your canoe into the condition you want.
There are videos on Youtube and elsewhere showing many of the steps in restoring a canoe.
Of course, there is lots of help available on these forums, and people will be more than happy to help with any particular problem that might arise. Just post some pictures, and ask.
Before you actually do anything, you should get, or at least look at, "The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to its History, Construction, Restoration, and Maintenance" by Rollin Thurlow and Jerry Stelmok, often called the "bible" of canoe repair, restoration, and maintenance. It's available through the WCHA online store, Amazon, and often used on eBay. It gives detailed information on just how to do many of the steps -- painting, canvas care, wood replacement, wood rot issues, etc. -- that may be required to bring your canoe into the condition you want.
There are videos on Youtube and elsewhere showing many of the steps in restoring a canoe.
Of course, there is lots of help available on these forums, and people will be more than happy to help with any particular problem that might arise. Just post some pictures, and ask.
Kathryn Klos
squirrel whisperer
Welcome!
Old Town 108948 is a 16 foot CS (common sense or middle) grade Otca model canoe that was completed January to March of 1931, with open oak gunwales, oak decks/thwarts/seat frames and a keel. Original color was turkey red. It was shipped to Ann Arbor, MI, on April 9, 1931.
Oak is a less common species for Old Town gunwales, and I don't know that I've seen turkey red before-- but that's what I'm reading! Image of the scan of this record is attached below-- click on it to get a larger image. It's also less common to see the short ogee-deck on the Otca-- it usually has a 20" deck with coaming.
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/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/join.php to join.
It is also 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.
Kathy
Old Town 108948 is a 16 foot CS (common sense or middle) grade Otca model canoe that was completed January to March of 1931, with open oak gunwales, oak decks/thwarts/seat frames and a keel. Original color was turkey red. It was shipped to Ann Arbor, MI, on April 9, 1931.
Oak is a less common species for Old Town gunwales, and I don't know that I've seen turkey red before-- but that's what I'm reading! Image of the scan of this record is attached below-- click on it to get a larger image. It's also less common to see the short ogee-deck on the Otca-- it usually has a 20" deck with coaming.
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/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/join.php to join.
It is also 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.
Kathy
Attachments
Kathryn Klos
squirrel whisperer
Welcome to the WCHA, citymink! One thing you've probably already noticed is that others here are eager to lend a helping hand, in person and via the internet. You're very fortunate in that you are near some flesh-n-blood members for assistance and suggestions and feedback.
The book recommended by Greg is an important piece in restoration. Don't hesitate to take Jan up on his offer! And post questions and more pictures here!
Again, welcome!
Kathy
The book recommended by Greg is an important piece in restoration. Don't hesitate to take Jan up on his offer! And post questions and more pictures here!
Again, welcome!
Kathy
Greg Nolan
enthusiast
Your canoe certainly needs some work, but nothing that is not do-able, and nothing that hasn't been done by lots of people here. A good project that should result in a fine canoe.
A couple of other good books: "Building the Maine Guide Canoe" by Jerry Stelmok, and, since you have an Old Town canoe, you may find "The Old Town Canoe Company" by Susan Audette and David Baker of great interest.
Jerry's book is an execellent study of the wooden/canvas canoe and how it is built, and Sue's is a great history of the company and its canoes. These are available from the WCHA store, are often on eBay, or from Amazon. Sue Audette also sells her book directly (http://www.thebaglady.tv/).
If you have trouble finding supplies, a starting point is the home page here, which has directories of builders and suppliers.
Good luck!
A couple of other good books: "Building the Maine Guide Canoe" by Jerry Stelmok, and, since you have an Old Town canoe, you may find "The Old Town Canoe Company" by Susan Audette and David Baker of great interest.
Jerry's book is an execellent study of the wooden/canvas canoe and how it is built, and Sue's is a great history of the company and its canoes. These are available from the WCHA store, are often on eBay, or from Amazon. Sue Audette also sells her book directly (http://www.thebaglady.tv/).
If you have trouble finding supplies, a starting point is the home page here, which has directories of builders and suppliers.
Good luck!
Citymink.
The lower peninsula chapter of the WCHA is quite active and has lots of knowledgeable folks that are more than willing to lend a hand. The chapter head is: Russ Hicks from Eaton Rapids. His email address is Ikanoe2@core.com
Welcome to the WCHA.
Denis
The lower peninsula chapter of the WCHA is quite active and has lots of knowledgeable folks that are more than willing to lend a hand. The chapter head is: Russ Hicks from Eaton Rapids. His email address is Ikanoe2@core.com
Welcome to the WCHA.
Denis
