BICENTENNIAL EDITION BLUE HOLE CANOE - $2500

[Barkjockey]

This is a one of one Bicentennial Edition Blue Hole OCA! It was made in the Spring of 1976 in Sunbright, Tennessee. What better way to celebrate Americas’ 250th birthday this summer than paddling epic Ozark streams in this beauty! It has custom one of a kind bicentennial badging, original seats, even has the original vinyl protective strips on the deck plates! This is the 1,712th OCA made in Sunbright, rare early model in near perfect condition. It has brand new, professionally installed, custom color matched Kevlar skid guards on each end to protect it when beaching on gravel bars. This canoe has very little “river rash” and is in near perfect condition. Bright vibrant red exterior, near perfect grey interior. The price is reflective of the condition of the boat and rarity of a 1976 Bicentennial Edition Blue Hole Canoe. There’s only one, and this is it. You can look at the condition in the photos. Here’s your chance to own a classic, genuine Blue Hole Royalex canoe! This boat is a rare find!My price is $2,500 for this classic. Take a look at the photos, they speak for themselves folks. FREE HAT WITH CANOE PURCHASE ! The Blue Hole OCA (Open Canoe, Aluminum) is a durable, 15'9" Royalex whitewater canoe with aluminum gunwales, known for its technical river performance, featuring a 15" depth, 35" max beam, and a weight of about 70 lbs, designed for serious river running. It differs from the OCB model by having aluminum trim and deeper, technical design for whitewater, whereas the OCB had wood trim and was for recreational use. Key Specifications• Length: 15' 9" (4.8m)• Material: Royalex (a durable, impact-resistant plastic)• Gunwales: Aluminum• Weight: Around 70 lbs (31.7kg)• Depth (Center): 15 inches (38cm)• Beam (Max): 35 inches (89cm)• Beam (Waterline): 33 inches (84cm) at 4" waterline• Hull: Tumblehome (inward curve)• Usage: Technical whitewater & river running Key Features & Design• Whitewater Focus: The OCA is built tough for navigating technical rapids and rocky rivers.• Royalex Construction: Provides excellent impact resistance, allowing it to take hits and maintain structural integrity. OCA vs. OCB• OCA (Open Canoe Aluminum): Aluminum gunwales, deeper (15"), for technical whitewater.• OCB (Open Canoe Birch/Wood): Wooden decks/gunwales, shallower (13"), for recreational paddling. If you want a canoe that will handle a couple weeks worth of supplies to head out on a wilderness adventure, this canoe is for you. In the OCA you’ll find all the great characteristics that have made this canoe a paddling legend. With lots of volume to keep you and your gear dry and in whitewater or waves it still tracks well with good hull speed on flatwater. The durable royalex material and classic Blue Hole lines make the OCA 16’ the ultimate wilderness extended tripping canoe.The Blue Hole Canoe Company was founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1972 by Bob Lantz, Roy Guinn and Bill Peatman. The factory was on Blue Hole Road in Antioch just outside Nashville. Several hundred of the original design, for which Bill Griswold of Nashville was also responsible, were manufactured there. After building and selling the first fifty boats, Bill Peatman sold his share of the company to the partners/investor. In 1974 the company moved to Sunbright, Tennessee (not far from Oak Ridge). Blue Hole canoes were among the first to use ABS ("Royalex") plastic and quickly became the dominant canoe used in the growth of whitewater canoeing in the 1970's. In the mid-80's the remaining founders parted ways, and Roy Guinn joined up with Joe Pulliam to found the Dagger Canoe Company in 1988 in nearby Harriman, Tennessee. By 1990, Dagger had begun producing kayaks in addition to canoes. Since then, their main competitor, Perception, purchased the company and relocated it to Easley, South Carolina. However, at the time Dagger was being started, the name Blue Hole Canoe Company was sold and they were continued to be built for a while in Gordonsville, Virginia. That company closed, and the name was bought by another canoe company, which may produce them again at some point in the future. However, the legendary Royalex material is NOT being produced any longer. Canoe makers have been scrambling ever since to find a suitable replacement. The new T-Formex is a promising material but has not been proven.Spring is just around the corner folks! Rivers will rise and be waiting for you to enjoy! Happy Paddling!