Early Chestnut Prospector

The ubiquitous Chestnut Prospector, introduced in late 1922/23, has been associated variously with wild rivers, exploring, large loads and wilderness tripping ever since. Sold also by Peterborough and Canadian Canoe Company throughout their history, as all were merged in 1923 as Canadian Watercraft Ltd, although Chestnut was the originator of the model. After the factory burned in 1921, destroying the forms used from 1905 the factory was rebuilt, and an entirely new line of canoes introduced, among them the Prospector. 

Rockered, beamy and with a large carrying capacity, they were instantly popular, and enduring. 

This example is surely among the earliest. Recently collected, we've not yet measured it nor discovered all the subtleties of its build. It does, however, sport 4 3/4" planking and tapered ribs, as well as very fine arched decks with a nice undercut. At first glance, a nice early example. More to follow.

A nice, promising shot but lacking in details. Hung is always prefereable, as the boat survives and retains its true shape better than if it was on its side or on the ground.

As per usual, the photos we were working off were not the best, but then sellers cant be blamed for not knowing what we want to see before driving hours to look at a boat. Finely done deck, inclulding undercut and a nice crown, all features of nice early Chestnuts

Coming out of the shed after many years storage. Boat had belonged to the owners Grandfather so had been in the family for years. 

Nice upswept strong sheer typical of earlier boats, along with strong stem profile

4 3/4"  planking, along with tapered ribs. 

Solid rib tops, and spruce gunwales inner and outer. 

Next up: strip the fiberglass from the outside, replace a half dozen broken ribs, chemically strip and refinish.

Stay tuned....

Custom 12' canoe

We received an inquiry from a customer inquiring about a 14' canoe we had for sale, they were looking for a 12' for a project they were working on. A restaurant/bar in Toronto was to have an outdoors theme that would need a canoe. It was to be used to house a sink we were told, and the space could only accommodate up to a 12' boat. The 14'  would of course not work, so the decision was made to shorten it as it was for display only and would no longer need to be waterworthy. The 14 was a 1950s Peterborough, still in fine condition and awaiting restoration. Additionally, it had green paint on the gunwales and didnt have the sort of rough patina that they were seeking. We offered up a 15' Prospector that was tired but would look terrific, and a deal was struck to shorten it to just under 12'.

It was time to dig it out of the snow...

 Tripped hard, this boat bears the scars of a lot of miles and several rebuilds. 

Never able to decipher the carvings on the deck and gunwales, we had some fun coming up with meanings for them (which they would never stand for!)

Pre-surgery, the seats needed to come out and the thwart would stay in the 4' section being taken out.

Done! Didnt take long to get through it!

What have we done! will it go back together?

Ugly gunwales and sheerline!

Down to 11'6",now to join it

pulled back into rough shape, an ash gunwale will be placed under to help create a sweet shape along the gunwale, and to provide some rigidity that the missing thwart and seats had contributed

Battening the hull before setting gunwale joint and replanking

Almost there!

A big section of boat gone!

 Fitting stiffeners under gunwales

 Planking and finish left to do

Completed boat awaiting pickup! Never meant for the water again of course, but a great prop to become a static fixture.

If you have a project in mind or need something specific that you are having trouble locating or that just cant be found, give us a call. We would be pleased to explore just about anything you can come up with. 

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.

FOR SALE: 16' Chestnut Prospector, 1977

Pictured is a 1977 Chestnut Prospector, with a painted interior in the tradition of the old workhorse freighters. The canoe has new cherry thwarts, decks and slat seats. Next it will be canvased, filled and painted.

With Chestnut closing its doors forever in 1979, this is from the final years of production, and has held up well. Finished in a new canvas and painted a dark green with white Chestnut script decals, it will be a tremendous boat for extended tripping, or just paddling lakes and rivers. It also has the correct factory decal on the bow from the Oromocto NB factory where operations had been moved from Fredericton.

Acquired as a wreck, it was destined to be cut into bookshelves, as common fate for wood boats that are no longer serviceable. It was, however, in terrific shape despite some rot to the decks and gunwale tips and missing seats and thwarts.  Now fitted with slat seats per the originals and trimmed in cherry with ash inner and outer gunwales, it will be ready for adventures once again.

Nearing completion, the prospector will get a final coat of dark green before new gunwales and stem bands are attached, and white Chestnut script decals.

Update: Sold, gone to a new home in Central Ontario

On Georgian Bay with new owner..