Sometimes the story is as interesting as the canoe

[Benson Gray]

I got a small display canoe at an auction in North Carolina many years ago and have learned that it has a bit of a story to go with it. The listing showed some bright red new paint.

The serial number was 89161.

This matched an Old Town build record which indicated that it had been converted to a Carleton and shipped to Detroit in 1926.

The Carleton ledger page indicates that it was a consignment and valued at $25. That was about one third of the price for a similar 16 foot long canoe at that time.

The back side of the build record shows that it returned in December of 1926 and then shipped again to New York City in May of 1927.

The original canvas was gone when I found it. The red seemed unusually glossy and bright for an old model. I decided to get it repainted with the original green, gold stripe, and Carleton lettering.

My daughter has always been excited about the swan in the Old Town design number 30 so that was added to the other side.

I feel that at least half the fun of old canoes are the stories that they can tell.

Benson

 

[John Sand]

I've owned three sailboats (not counting dinghies). Two were built in 1961, the other 1968. I've managed to correspond with the first owner, the builder or the designer of each. My current boat was visited by the son in law of the builder. The boats indeed have stories to tell, and they are significant in the lives of the owners. My canoes have been more of a mystery, but that's interesting too.

 

[chris pearson]

Very cool.