Picking up a Cronje

[Jamie]

I'll be picking up a new to me Chestnut Cronje tomorrow. Anyone know how they are for a tripping canoe? 3 or 4 night trips at the most, none of the 2 week stuff for me... yet. Am I correct that Keewaydin camps use them? Or did they mostly use Prospectors?

 

[sweeper]

New boat are always fun

 

[Srobocop]

I ran into some people with one in the BWCA last summer. They seemed to really like it and it looked like a really nice canoe. Congrats and let us know how it paddles!

 

[Robin]

Keewaydin used them. I think they would have extra 1/2 ribs on the floor for wannigans if the canoe was from Keewaydin, and would have been used hard and repaired alot. Not to say that's bad, a canoe with some history and use is good.

As far as a tripping canoe they are very good. fast and big. 17' x 34" x 13" compared to a Prospector, the Cronje has a more rounded bottom and a finer entry. I think you will like this canoe. If not, call me asap!

 

[memaquay]

Other than the 17 foot length, I would think that it would be a great solo. It's a tandem for two smaller people. We have one for the club in royalex, usually put two small fry in it.

 

[Jamie]

Other than the 17 foot length, I would think that it would be a great solo. It's a tandem for two smaller people. We have one for the club in royalex, usually put two small fry in it.

I picked the Cruiser up mostly for tandem use, likely only one of my kids or the wife in it with me, none of us would be considered a large paddler. If I run a river not suitable to take my kids on and the water level is high enough, I'll be more than happy to run the 17 footer solo. It's more work but I prefer it.

solo

 

[Jamie]

Keewaydin used them. I think they would have extra 1/2 ribs on the floor for wannigans if the canoe was from Keewaydin, and would have been used hard and repaired alot. Not to say that's bad, a canoe with some history and use is good.

As far as a tripping canoe they are very good. fast and big. 17' x 34" x 13" compared to a Prospector, the Cronje has a more rounded bottom and a finer entry. I think you will like this canoe. If not, call me asap!

The Cruiser I picked up was not one of Keewaydin canoes, but watching a bunch of their videos swayed me into paying more than I wanted to for this canoe. Canoe porn as my wife says...
The canoe went under full professional repair job, not museum work, but it's now nearly new . Will be picking it up in a few hours.

 

[shanks]

Congrats!
Photos, or it didn't happen ; )

 

[Jamie]

IMG_0329


IMG_0323

Brought it home this morning, like most of the canoes I buy, this one was only a short 25 minute drive away.

It was sent out by the previous owner for a full repair job at a local shop. Repaired yes, fully restored.... no,.. but that's fine for me.


Brand new canvas, never touched water with authentic Chestnut filler mix.

IMG_0326


The only sore spot on the work is the sloppy but typical scarf of the inner gunwales.

IMG_0328

The varnish on the interior needs a little attention too but otherwise she's ready for work.... pending snow melt

 

[ppine]

You are a lucky man. I do not like them too perfect because they don't get used enough.

 

[Mihun09]

That is one long scarf joint, I never get mine that long. Perhaps an optical illusion but the new inwale looks to be fatter than the old, as in they did not reduce the thickness to match the existing.

Whenever possible on the boats I repair/restore, I try to always match the original wood, which can be difficult, such as trying to find 18 foot clear white spruce for the Morris.

The main thing is always, get the boat back on the water!

Karin

 

[Iskweo]

Ppine...yes, I am finding the same thing with the nice pretty tooo perfect boats....I dont want to mess it up. That is why I like the old Hurons and Tremblays. Nothing special and you can use em hard till they break then patch them up and go right back out with them. Although I have to say that 4 ribs, 60 some odd tips, decks, and a half mile of new planking is a bit much on the latest Tremblay.

As Mem said, it's a lot of loving for a Tremblay. But I am sure it will get a lot of use too. I have a plan for selling it on the Rez.

Christine

 

[Jamie]

That is one long scarf joint, I never get mine that long. Perhaps an optical illusion but the new inwale looks to be fatter than the old, as in they did not reduce the thickness to match the existing.

Was just looking over the scarf, not an illusion but the new piece is not beveled like the original. Not something I'll loose sleep over.

 

[Robin]

Wow! Nice looking canoe, the canvas and interior look very good. I guess you can find lots of Chestnuts up there in New Brunswick.

 

[tump_lion]

looks like a perfect tripper...great boat!

 

[Jamie]

Wow! Nice looking canoe, the canvas and interior look very good. I guess you can find lots of Chestnuts up there in New Brunswick.

As they say, there's one in every back yard up here.... how I wish wish that were true. Oddly enough, I have better chances to find a good used Chestnut than a royalex canoe. With our rocky rivers, royalex canoes are preferred.

I shelled out for this one as it's the 1st Cruiser I've seen in 10 years of buying and selling canoes.16' Pals and 18' Ogilvies are quite common.

 

[sweeper]

congratulations Jamie nice looking boat.

I had my Cruiser out yesterday stripping the inside finish. It might be ready for a fall trip.

 

[rpg51]

Nice canoe. Remarkable condition. If a 17 foot prospector - or a maybe a cruiser - show up in your neck of the woods let me know. Not too bad a drive from Vermont and I would make the trip for sure.

 

[Jamie]

Nice canoe. Remarkable condition. If a 17 foot prospector - or a maybe a cruiser - show up in your neck of the woods let me know. Not too bad a drive from Vermont and I would make the trip for sure.

Actual Prospectors don't come up too often around here, quite uncommon such as the Cruiser are. Oddly enough there has been a 17' Prospector hanging in a carport for years less than a 5 minute walk from my place, Don't think its seen water in 20 years. Owners have no desire to sell it... it's on my jogging route and I shake my head every time I see it.

I don't have any emotional attachment to my cruiser, just needed a second canoe. I'm after something like a royalex 17' Nova Craft Prospector, may take one on trade....

 

[rpg51]

I paddled a 17 foot nova craft on a longish trip up north. It was a rental. I liked it. Not sure I liked it more than an old town tripper. Very similar. Maybe not quite as much room - is it a little narrower perhaps? I can't remember. But it is a good tripping canoe no doubt. Hard to find used.