Newest Acquisition

I recently traded the Mohawk (Plastic Canoe) for a antique sailing canoe. This is interesting because I got it up in Waterville, Maine, so I got to see my friend at Colby College. It was also interesting when I talked to my Grandfather who informed me his father was born in a house in Waterville. 32 Morrill Ave. The place I bought the canoe was over the river, but you could still see the house.
The canoe, I believe is a antique Kennebec Canoe, made in Waterville, Maine. She has had her gunwales, deck plates rebuilt. It is also sad that the canoe was vandalized before the owner I got it from acquired it. It is in need of cosmetic attention, but remarkably had no broken sheeting, ribs or excessive rot.
I am excited for this project, because it is something interesting, and unique. I also do not have much overhead in this deal, all of $23 and a few hours for making the seats, and paint. I will consider selling, like all my canoes, just for the right price :)

 Painted Camo

Midthwart falling out

 "420" sparyed in the bottom







Paint everywhere!

 "420"

Remarkably clean, besides and paint

Old Mohawk Canoe

My friend told me that his neighbor had a old canoe he wanted to get rid of. So I got a free canoe. It was sitting for a while, and needed a good washing.

 We had a giant downpour, and the drains would not work very fast so we decided to test out the canoe

 This is before I fixed it

We had no seats in it.

 Painted it green

 Painted the interior

And it turned out nice.

And my my brother and my friends helped me make some new seats.

Chestnut Ogilvy Update

On the bigger and worse canoe, my brother and I have been taking turns using a die-grinder.

 After we used the die-grinder for two hours

 Showing the rotted sheeting that needs to be replaced

 The otherside

 Still holds a good shape

 Showing the shape, and please note the plywood shims on the left hand side.

Update Chestnut Chum

Hey guys,
I'm going to write about my most recent experiences with my little Chestnut. After I dealt with other necessary projects I was able to take it out for a spin.

We put her in the water, and noticed how shallow the canoe is.

 She has even better lines while in the water

Again the inside is all original.

 My brother paddling her a little bit

Showing the lines of the canoe

Background 2

After I painted the first canoe and had put it in storage I decided to buy another. One can never have too many canoes. I was up at Maine Maritime Academy when my brother sent me an email about a cheap Chestnut Canoe on the way home. It worked out perfectly, I was able to stop and buy a canoe on the way home. The only issue was the canoe did not fit on the top of my mothers VW very well.

We got it home safe and sound. Despite what the pictures show this canoe is in dire need of restoration.

 Her original canvas has been ripped off, and replaced with fiberglass

 The previous owner confessed to dropping it off a truck, and cracking 14 ribs! He also cut out a support called the mid-thwart.

 She amazingly still has a decent shape, despite all the damage

 The seat cane needs to be mended

 The tip, or stem has rotted out.

Just an example of a poor fiberglass job. We are not supposed to see any wood.

Background

Hey Guys,
This is my first time trying to blog. Here is my background. I am a 17 year old High School Senior. I live in Kennebunkport, Maine. And I love canoes and old watercraft.



Believe it or not I now own two beautiful antique Chestnut Canoes. And have had the opportunity to work on many more. I love how simple canoes were made, and how people actually took care of their personal things.

 The first picture is when I first bought my first canoe. She is a 1960's Chestnut Chum. I bought it from a guy in Norway, Maine whose father owned it since it was new. This canoe is a stunner and I have been extremely lucky to own it.

This picture is after I brought it home. Some canoe friends in Ohio and Ontario wanted to see some pictures. To show the beauty I took this picture of the original varnish.

 This is another picture to show the shape of the canoe.

 I started to sand down the old paint because it was peeling. The canoe is almost ready for a re-canvas, but this is in such nice condition I decided to leave it for a little while.

Another picture to show the condition.

I had to make a new stern plate (Lighter colored wood) because the old one was cracked.








I painted her with some basic house paint just so I could take he out for a spin.










Everything stopped after I painted her. I had a umbilical hernia the day after I painted her. This would not allow me to get to paddle her for a few months. I also had the problem of a long winter and a house renovation to deal with.