where are the numbers?

[Michael Leone]

I can't seem locate the serial numbers on an
Old Town I picked up this weekend.
the owner said his father bought it for him in the 40's.
where should I be looking for the numbers?

thanks Mike:

 

[davelanthier]

serial # location

On the interior top stem face at the stem base.

 

[Benson Gray]

The information and pictures at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?t=791 may help you find them. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson

 

[Michael Leone]

That's where I thought it should be, but there are no numbers.
It even has the removeble floor and togle like your photo, and
I don't think the boat has ever been refinished.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Post Photos

Michael,
You may want to post photos to help identify your canoe. If there are no numbers, it is most likely not an Old Town or the stems were replaced at one time. It is not unusual for any wood/canvas canoe to be called an Old Town.
The name Old Town is really sort of a generic term for this kind of construction. Similarly all colas are called coke generically.

 

[Michael Leone]

It's an Old Town

It has a worn and faded Old Town decal on the fordeck,
I will post some pics shortly!

thanks Mike

 

[Michael Leone]

@!#&*!7?

Well I think most of us would agree that this is
in fact an Old Town canoe.
and it does seem that there is something on the stem
in front of the togle that ends in #7.

what do you think?

thanks Mike

Is it Spring yet?!

 

[Benson Gray]

My guess is that you have an Old Town Otca model that is 17 feet long and may have originally had a design number 45 as shown at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/designs/design45.gif on the web. You may need to use some paint stripper to reveal the serial number and a tape measure to verify the length. The numbers should be stamped on both ends so you may be able to get the missing parts from one end by looking at the other end. Good luck,

Benson

 

[Michael Grace]

Looks like the serial number is there- I can see what looks like a "17" near the brass piece, and beyond that (preceeding it) there seems to be a 5- or 6-digit string of nimbers. Nice canoe- looks like an OTCA with outside stems, floor rack, rub rails, two-tone, etc. Very pretty.

 

[Michael Leone]

Thanks to everyone for there input.
Now how about some advice on geting her back in the water.
The canvas is coming lose on bolth sides of the upper bow
and is a little deteriorated on the lose edges.
The wood is all in very good condition, but the finish is all cracled.
I don't whant to stip it all the way down because I whant to maintane
the dark patina of the wood.

Any sugestions would be helpfull.

Thanks. Mike

 

[Benson Gray]

The canvas probably needs to be replaced if you intend to use it in the water. You could look up a local builder at http://www.wcha.org/buildsupply/ to see if they would be willing to help you. Some of the books at http://virtualbooks.wcha.org/ can guide you through the process if you want to do it yourself. "The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to Its History, Construction, Restoration, and Maintenance" by Jerry Stelmok and Rollin Thurlow is a good place to start. These forums also contain a lot of detailed information and can help if you have other specific questions. Good luck,

Benson