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Rollin Thurlow's 15' Morris Reproduction

The one I found is set up with one solo seat. I can't seem to post photos from my pad. I'll try to post from computer tomorrow.
 
Nice canoe. Those high ends, which add weight and catch wind are a small price to pay for the pleasing effect they will provide you and folks you meet along the trail. The canoe speaks of tradition and beauty, and since you have chosen to use a wood canvas canoe for the trip, this canoe speaks wood canvas loud and clear from any distance. I get it.

Why not call the builder and ask. Rollin has a great reputation as a builder and plain nice guy. Ask him his thoughts, was the canoe built as an eye piece or for use, will it hold up to the rigors of daily use on the NFCT.
Good luck and let us know the results.

BTW, I have a 1970 Chestnut Bob's Special, 15', it comes in around 58lbs. It is a great canoe, wide, but can be paddled leaned over and it moves out. Unfortunately, to get the weight down, Chestnut used thinner ribs and gunnels and the canoe probably won't make a great tripper, just wouldn't hold up without alot of damage imo.
I also have a Chestnut Chum, which is 15' and much more narrow, it weighs about 62-3 lbs. It makes a great solo tripper, tough and built for the trail. So there is a difference in the way some wood canvas canoes are built.
 
Robin what is the width on your Chum? I can't imagine it would be much less than the 30.5 inches on Rollins 15 footer. Even my 14 foot Aria which many find narrow is 28 inches at waterline..26.5 at the gunwales.
 
Robin what is the width on your Chum? I can't imagine it would be much less than the 30.5 inches on Rollins 15 footer. Even my 14 foot Aria which many find narrow is 28 inches at waterline..26.5 at the gunwales.

I just went out and gave it an up-side down measurement, 30" plank to plank at the gunnels. Snowing again:rolleyes:...so thats a nice width on Rolllins canoe.
 
As much as I loved this canoe, after talking to Rollin, i've decided to pass on it. Rollin felt it was too small and too lightly built. The clincher came when I asked how she would handled under pole. Rollin responded, "I couldn't pole her". Last night I searched Craigslist, in many communities, and made inquiries on boats lasted last fall. I've got two prospects including an Old Town 50 Lb. Thanks for the advice folks.
 
I have a restored 15' Chestnut Bob's that I would part with, but it's just not built for the rigors of that trip. I would use it on an easy lake to lake trip, but the plank and ribs are thin to save on weight and not up to rough use.
 
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