There was an all-out effort 7 years ago to recover these canoes, involving law enforcement, DNR, “Stolen Canoe” fliers in local bait and tackle shops and posts to message boards and canoe clubs around the continent (the lead came from Canada).
That all-out effort may have actually hindered the discovery. It’s doubtful that the (local) thief, who also ripped off fishing gear and electronics from nearby power boats that same night, could have missed that far flung barrage of indictment.
My guess, based on the condition of the wood gunwales in the E-Bay photos, is that he stashed them in the backyard and waited for years before trying to move them.
Or, I hope, the first of them. I want to see Doc’s carbon Magic recovered as well. I have no idea what will happen with the insurance company resolution of the boats if they are recovered. It may rest on the deductable and current-condition value of the canoe.
The gunwales on the Prism need major work, if not replacement. But the walnut brightwork (wood provided by friend Ed, custom Bell-style shaping and finishing courtesy of friend NT) still looks sound, and that stuff has, at least to me, historic value. There is only one canoe like that in the world.
