That's probably one of those Coast Guard numbers or another type of boat-id thingy, and not a serial number. Is your canoe an Old Town canoe? Please post pictures and we can help identify it. I'll give you a link to where to look for serial numbers--- this works for Old Town in particular, but some of the other companies too. Be aware that if your canoe isn't among a handful where the serial number actually can be connected to a record, we may only be able to say what you have and when it possibly was made, and not much else.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYwVSJhejFA
Kathy