War Canoe

Our largest boat shop project of the moment is our 34 foot Old Town war canoe. Our Sea Scout Troop began restoration on the canoe in the winter of 2007. The story of how the boat came to rest in the Sea Scouts garage is a mystery. At some point in the war canoe's history it was modified. The stern was removed and replaced with a flat transom, suitable for an outboard engine. After a period of thought all parties agreed that the best course of action would be to restore this beautiful canoe to its original build.

Power washing the war canoe.

The war canoe sitting in the BCMS boat shop. This picture is from the winter of 2007. Notice the square transom.

At some point during its history the serial number was removed from the stem. We can make out the last digit of the number and a partial digit before it. We have the comprehensive build records from Old Town (all 210,000 of them) and are searching for our boat. Although it is still a daunting task we are very confident that we will find the build slip, and therefore uncover much of the history of the vessel.

When the war canoe project is complete the boat will hold 20 adult paddlers! Some of the stories attached to this specific boat tell of canoe trips to Long Point Ontario.

BCMS students putting planks on the reconstructed stern of the Old Town War Canoe.