Wood Strip Canoe Identification Help

[minimumsquirrel]

Hi all,

I recently bought another canoe (this is number 3) and the owner had no idea anything about it.

I'm hoping someone here might be able to help identify a cedar-strip canoe I recently acquired in Nova Scotia, Canada.

I've been researching its origins but haven't been able to determine the manufacturer or model. I suspect it was commercially manufactured, possibly in the 1980s, although the date is unconfirmed.

The canoe is constructed from narrow cedar strips with fiberglass reinforcement.

Measurements and construction details:

• Overall length: Approximately 16 feet
• Maximum hull width: 30.5 inches (32 inches including gunwales)
• Interior depth amidships: Approximately 10 inches, measured from the centre thwart to the hull
• Bow height: 17 inches, measured from the top of the bow to the bottom of the stem
• Stern height: 17 inches, measured the same way
• Cedar strip width: Approximately ½ inch
• Cedar strip thickness: Approximately 3/16 inch
• External wooden keel: Approximately ¾ inch projection
• Traditional cane seats
• Hardwood gunwales, thwarts and decks

One particularly interesting feature is the identification markings stamped directly into the wooden decks:

• Stern deck: 408500845 (the first digit is slightly difficult to read)
• Bow deck: 56

The stamps appear deliberate and potentially factory-applied. I'm wondering whether anyone recognizes this numbering format or has seen similar markings on Canadian cedar-strip/fiberglass canoes.

I'll attach photographs showing the overall canoe, interior construction, decks, gunwales, keel and stamped numbers.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. I'd love to learn more about the canoe's history and original construction.

 

[minimumsquirrel]