Peterborough model 1434

A classified ad offering a Prospector canoe for $40 needing some work but solid? Had to check that one out. Genuine Prospectors dont show up that often, pleasure models are more typical. Today a drive to Peterborough yielded a Model 1434, not far from the Peterborough factory.

Peterborough's model 604 was made until the end of 1923 in two grades 1 and 2.
In 1924 it changed name to Otonabee (grade 1) and Rideau (grade 2). The Otonabee was produced until 1959.

In early 1930's the Rideau model became 16S. This model changed model name again in 1936 to High end Champlain # 26 P. In 1939 it became high end Champlain #1434. It was produced until 1955.

All above mentioned "models" were made on the same mold and had the measurements 16' x 33" x 12".

A quick stop at Tim Hortons after pickup

 Cant drive to Peterborough without a quick museum stop

 Back home and worth the trip

Original boat in its original canvas, solid and not abused

Most likely a wartime model, when cane for weaving seats was generally unavailable hence the slat seats

Typical offset centre thwart

Original varnish now alligatored, and nicely shaped stem end

 Outwales to be replaced, only part of the boat not solid

Slot screws thorughout

Slots and cup washers fastening shoe keel, never undone from new

Steel carriage bolts, likely another product of war time production

 

Two piece outwales spliced at the centre

 Maple decks 

Boat will be an easy and nice restoration, complete with nice vertical grain planking and original stembands and keel will go back on.

Temagami Special Resto update

The boat is stripped, next up are the rail end repairs, oiling and varnishing and re canvas. A few surprises turned up during the teardown as well.

 The boat is built with copper tacks, unusual for 1946 as canoe factories had long turned to brass for tacks. The earliest boats are built with copper, very hard to locate these days. Possibly during the war old stocks were used up, or production had shifted to copper with brass being used for the war effort

Keel and stembands off, canvas is next

Nice recanvas done 20 years ago by the new owner of the |Temagami |Canoe |Co, John Kilbridge

Canvas was in fair shape, but outer rails were rotted, and stem and inner gunwale tips need replacing along with stripping and revarnishing.

 Peeling it back

Bare hull

Various plank repairs, along with 3 new ribs at the last canvassing

Old skin

Having once worked for the Peterborough Canoe company, the influence is seen when next to a '30s Peterborough cruiser, both 16 footers.

 Period logos are similar as well

Logo reproduced for the restoration

As the boat was well looked after, there appeared to be no more varnish applied than when built, making for an easy strip.

Stripper washed out with hot water and TSP to dislodge the remaining bits of varnish and stripper, and to lighten up the wood.

Butternut decks, front one has decal image shadow

 Initials and name of original owner, appears to have been put there by Smith back when he built the boat for him in 1946. This boat lived its life at the cottage in Temagami until this summer, when were privileged to acquire it. Overall it was in great shape, due in part to the solid build quality

Tips to be replaced.  Bill used red pine, and John gave us 2 pieces with enough material to splice in new tips.

  Tung oil after sanding, pine rails

Stripped boat, waiting for oil and varnish and minor repairs

Old canvas

 Back in the shop for finishing

More to come

FOR SALE: Peterborough Prospector

A new acquisition, a Peterborough Prospector from the Department of Lands and Forest. Officially a model 1452, 16`in length. The boat requires a complete refinishing, as well as a few ribs to be replaced. They had been replaced already, but the workmanship is not the best. Two thwarts and slat seats, pure prospector. A perfect tripping boat, this boat is suspected to have been built by the Canadian Canoe Company, who were building most of the Peterborough Canoe Company`s canvas canoes during the period this one was built. Unlike the prospectors from Chestnut, the lines on this one are in our opinion finer, with a finer entry and smoother transition to the midsection, as well as moderate rocker carried the full length. The boat has no keel, and will be a superb paddler.

Visible here is the serial number 1452 as well as the L&F stamp from the Department of Lands and Forests, the former name for the Ministry of Natural Resources. A prospector would have been the natural choice for work in the field, and this one, while well used, was not abused.

Nice lines, constant rocker and replacement ribs visible. A no frills workboat, planked in white cedar and trimmed in ash, it is nevertheless well built and finished.

Wouldnt this be the ideal boat for canoe tripping for an overnite, weekend or week long trip - then again, there`s lot of stablility and room for fishing or just paddling around.



BOAT IS SOLD.