Two Chestnut Canoes

smallboatshop

Restorers
We recently received the e-mail inquiry below and, not having much experience with Chestnuts, I am asking the WCHA community to comment on the desirability and value of these canoes. Thank you.Dan

My dad just recently passed away, and has had these two canoes that were owned by his parents for a long time. To the best of our knowledge, they are from roughly 1930 or so but we can't be certain of that.

My grandparents had left them in a fishing camp in Quebec for over 50 years. They were able to get our contact information and we went up and picked them up about 20 years ago. At that time, we put them in the water and they were in perfect shape as far as seaworthiness and no leaks.

They are Chestnut Canoes.

Looks like one number is 86-9720.

My dad spent some time cleaning the one that is hanging from the rafters in the video. But I think they're both in similar shape except for cosmetics.

We are trying to figure out if these have any significant value, and/or what it would take to restore them and make them look pristine. Likewise, if we had you restore them, what might the value be at that point?

https://youtu.be/c5IGfk27hFQ
 
There are no known Chestnut serial number records so these can't be dated or authenticated with that information. They seem to be in nice condition but don't appear to have any unusually significant value. However, there are many here who know a lot more about Chestnut canoes than I do. The summary at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/57/ should help value them and your information at http://www.smallboat-shop.com/Restoration Process.pdf has a good summary of what it might cost to restore them. If profit is the objective than it is usually best to sell them unrestored. Good luck,

Benson
 
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To add to what Benson already said, dimensions-length, width and depth- would sure help in identifying the models. Rib spacing too.
I'm seeing single thwart- so i'm thinking 14' to 16' canoe. Cane seats and full length keels. Rib spacing looks close to rib width.

15' Chum? 16' Pleasure canoes?

Bruce
 
The one hanging is a Chum, likely the other one is too. Skinny ribs, not the wide and tapered ribs puts them after the 1940s. Look to be 1950s-60s, feel under the thwart for a ridge where they were machined. Nice, but unremarkable boats.
 
I'd go with Andre's feedback here.... note the rounded hull. The 50's/60's hulls tend towards that.
 
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