Waltham Canoe number 1119 - a restoration saga

[Dan Miller]

This thread will be the saga of the restoration of Waltham Canoe number 1119, which will hopefully be returned to its former glory (or alternatively, placed in the burn pile). Follow along if you dare!

I acquired this canoe in the spring of 2025, during a quest to locate a few canoes to be candidates as victims of a canvas canoe restoration class at the Wooden Boat School, taking place in September 2025.

Here is one of the photos I was sent by the couple who were selling it:

It was immediately obvious that the canoe was far from original. The rails and caps appear to be Douglas fir, there are odd copper caps on the decks, and the seats are just canvas slung between a couple of bars. The floor rack is obviously a later addition as well.

It has some positives at this point as well - Birdseye maple decks and thwarts, builders tag, outside stem, and the sheer line looks fair at least. It wasn't expensive so nothing to lose. Plus got to spend a few days vacationing in Portsmouth, NH, and we got to visit Tom and Jan Seavey.

Here it is in my own shop. I've removed the copper tip caps:

 

[Dan Miller]

So, let's figure out what this canoe is. There is a good clue on the deck tag, which indicates that the canoe is a Grade B. We know of two published Waltham Boat and Canoe Company Catalogs. We've dated them to circa 1906 and circa 1910, based on information contained therein as to who the principals were and when they were involved with the company. The earlier catalog discusses Grade A and Grade B canoes; the later catalog does not. So, let's call this canoe circa 1906.

Some stripper applied to the stern stem revealed a serial number (more on stripping the finish in the next post).

But wait! The serial number suggests that the canoe is a 17' canoe. But the canoe itself measures 15' 8" excluding the outside stems. It is 33" wide and 13" deep. This would make it Waltham's 16-foot Sociable Canoe model:

 

[Dan Miller]

In addition to the replacement rails, the canoe has a number of other issues, including at least 14 broken ribs (more will appear when the canoe is stripped.

The stems have been replaced with planks:

And there is almost an inch of hog:

Quite a few feet of planking has been replaced with white cedar and copper tacks with honking big heads.

 

[Dan Miller]

Stripping has commenced.

Having hauled four gallons of methylene chloride through several moves since I left Wisconsin, I thought I'd start with that. Well, only one and a half gallons still remain . Stripped a section of the canoe - two rounds of MC and a scrub with 50/50 acetone/lacquer thinner.

I also have a big a pail of Blue Bear Paint and Urethane Stripper, so I tried that as well. Two rounds of stripper scraping in between, then a scrub with water. Here are the preliminary results, see if you can guess which side was stripped with which:

The left side was the Blue Bear, and the right the MC. I'm sticking with the Blue Bear for the rest of this project.

More soon, if you can stand it!

 

[patrick corry]

I'll be glad and curious to follow along!

One comment... what original buyer in their right mind would be happy with a "Grade B" canoe tag so boldly mounted that the whole world could see what a tightwad they were? Just kidding'. We all have to keep within our means, even way back then! I'll look forward to seeing progress.

How are the ribs joined to the rails? Is the rail rabbeted to receive full thickness rib tips?

 

[Dan Miller]

what original buyer in their right mind would be happy with a "Grade B" canoe tag so boldly mounted that the whole world could see what a tightwad they were? Just kidding'.

One that wanted to save $2. Which they then put into the outside stems. Without original parts, we don't know if they also sprung for mahogany rails, fancy paint, a monogram or ???

 

[Dan R.]

Dan,
Do you know what the black stuff is that you are stripping off? Looks like what I have in mine.

I will be following along as well! Looking forward to learning.

 

[Dan Miller]

Dan,
Do you know what the black stuff is that you are stripping off? Looks like what I have in mine.

Mostly it is old varnish. There is some polyurethane in the mix I think, as the Methylene Chloride didn't touch the finish on the decks.

 

[Michael Grace]

Looks like a fun project, Dan. Is this one going to be part of your class or are you going to do it yourself at home? Love the birdseye. Can't wait to see it rejuvenated. Do you think the outside stems have been replaced? They look flat-sided (square or trapezoidal), but I would expect the "chubby" stems (oval in cross section) that are often seen on Charles River-area canoes. Looking forward to your progress posts!

 

[Dan Miller]

How are the ribs joined to the rails? Is the rail rabbeted to receive full thickness rib tips?

Sorry, missed this question the first time around. The tips of the ribs are tapered.

 

[chris pearson]

I never had it where the “real” stripper with MC didn’t do the job. I just stripped out an old”restoration” where urethane was used. The only thing that really went after it was the old stand by. I wonder if your stripper being older had something to do with it? Did you mix it up well?

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Thanks Dan for your efforts. I will be watching. By posting this record the craft will be able to carry on. Good stuff.