Old Town 17' Charles River

[Cookannapurna]

I'm seeking any friendly advice, comments, or thoughts on an Old Town 17' Charles River. My experience with WC canoes is the OT Otca I inherited from my grandfather. It has just basically been maintaining and enjoying.

I have the opportunity to purchase one that has been "factory restored" at OT about seven years ago, and looks to be in very good shape. I am a woodworker and I have built a handful of strippers, so I don't think there are any construction surprises.

I love the lines and the recurve bow and stern, I have the money, and more importantly I have an empty space on the canoe rack in the barn!

I will not have the opportunity to paddle it before I get it. I'm mainly interested in observations on how it handles, what its original purpose was (day paddler, tripper, etc...), just humbly picking the collective brain of this community.

Thanks!

 

[yellowcanoe]

Benson Gray over at the WCHA forums.. www.wcha.org is an Old Town expert. His great grandfather ( or great great) founded Old Town way back when.

Originally it was built as a courting/livery canoe and was one of Old Towns entries among the vast number of canoe builders on the Charles River.

A few years ago there was a whole WCHA assembly devoted to Charles River canoes.. I fancy some of Ken Kellys expensive beauties. I love torpedo ends.

 

[Cookannapurna]

Thanks for the point in the right direction yellowcanoe!