Did Old Town make boats?

[ebassett74]

I have been given a boat. It is 14' long and has cedar stripping. I have been told it is an Old Town but have had no luck searching for pics of this boat online. Did Old Town ever make boats and does anyone know how to track down this make an d model. I have searched high and low for the hull number but I can't find anything.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Did Old Town make boats?

Old Town made and continues to make canoes, including wooden ones, but I don't know about boats. I assume you've asked someone at Old Town already. What kind of boat is it? Sounds cool. Pics maybe?

 

[JB]

Re: Did Old Town make boats?

The Summer camp I attended in Maine back during WWII had a wonderful 14' cedar strip boat we called the "river boat". It was quite narrow and rowed wonderfully. There were no outboards but I would guess she would not like any more than five HP. The hull was a displacement hull, not quite a canoe shape but sort of a cross between a canoe and a semi-vee.

It could have been an Old Town boat.

 

[shrew]

Re: Did Old Town make boats?

Call Old Towne directly. They actually have an AMAZING archive of historical records. My brother restores antique canoes and kayaks. He has an early 1930's Old Towne. He called them with the serial number from the placard (Yes, Old Towne labelled and affixed serial numbers even back then. He was looking for some info. They photo copied and mailed him the entire collection of records. He has a copy of the original bill of sale from the 1930's. Back then all of their boats were made to order and the BoS even has all the options listed that the original owner selected for the boat. Teh boat was sold to a summer camp. At some point in the 1950's, the camp sent teh canoe back for repairs. Old Town recorded the repairs as well. He has the entire history according to the Old Town records. (Of course what was done outside of Old Town isn't listed).

In short, call them, you'd be surprised what they have on file up there.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Did Old Town make boats?

Ayuh,... Old Town is my Hometown, where I grew up....

Here's some history for the Canoe Co....

Here's the Company's website,....

I donno if shes still kickin', or not, but a gal named Kelly Nason was the company historian for Along time....

Old Town built cedar strip boats right up into the 60s, I believe...
They also did a line of fiberglass boats from the 60s, through the 70s....
After SC bought'em up,...
They went to become the largest Canoe company in the World....
Strictly paddle pushed boats,... Canoes, 'n Kayaks...


Btw,... There's no e in Old Town....

 

[steelespike]

Re: Did Old Town make boats?

Check antique boat america many collectable boats for sale search Oldtown may be mostly canoes but maybe some outboards. lots of interesting boats like the Penn Yan light cartop 12ft and 57lbs and the 14ft senior cartop at 84lbs.and the fast and beautiful Swifts and deluxe Trailboats.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Did Old Town make boats?

Yep, Oldtown build quite a wide variety of boats over the years. Lapstrake outboard runabouts, rowboats & outboards built using 'wood/canvas canoe construction' (not stip planked), in the '70's fiberglass outboards, and others. If it is an Oldtown the serial number will be stamped on the inside of the stem down toward the bottom where it meets the keel, and also on the stren knee at the bottom middle of the transom. Oldtown also used to use some fairy distinct rowlocks. If you find the S/N you can send it to Oldtown and they will tell you all about the boat (when it was built, the color, trim details, where & when it was shipped). If it is built using wood/canvas canoe construction (flat ribs inside, about 1/2" think x about 2" wide, closely spaced, & 1/4" cedar planking about 3" wide) the boat should be covered with canvas & painted. If anyone tells you to fiberglass it you will pretty much ruin the value. Go to the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association website http://www.wcha.org/ The discussion forum there will be a great help to you.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Did Old Town make boats?

Pics please. Already wanted to see it. Now I really want to see it.