Fate throws another boat our way, this came from a gentleman who offered this for sale if it got a good home, and it sure will. Best guess is late 1950's, as side decals didnt find their way onto Chestnut products until some time around 1957 its believed.
This boat was retrieved from Lac Megantic, PQ, my fathers home town. I liked it before i knew that, but this will get restored and kept.
Originally green, then red, finally blue.
Build quality was beginning to decline, but at least they got the angle the same on both sides!
Wonderful shape, seems to be an early Pal that replaced the Aster/Moonlight model
Really miss the Champlain we did up in dove grey, and with very similar dimensions the Chestnut has the added bonus of caned seats, heart decks and 2.25" ribs.
Wont take much , although chemical stripping and refinishing are big jobs themselves. Little to no woodwork though, this boats was well used judging by the canvas but not abused.
Larger ribs
As is typical, canvas rotted along the gunwale, and a small strip of fiberglass was applied to extend its life, and the deep gunwales made to cover.
Nice upturned ends, brass bang strips still in place and intact
Side decals, placing it late 50s and up. Nice and crooked, right from the factory
Traditional cane pattern
Seats need to be reglued and caned
Heart decks
Rather than a shoe keel, this one has a more traditional early style keel
No lumps or bumps from smashed ribs and planking
Bang strips intact and in great shape
Ah drywall screws, the scourge of all restoration work
1956 catalog showing slant decals, courtesy of Benson Gray and WCHA
1959 catalog showing logo with chestnut, similar to traditional deck decal but englarged. Courtesy of Benson Gray and WCHA
