Picked up a canoe.

[D_Mac 8,619]

So I have owned several canoes over the years. Sold the last one a few yrs ago and figured my canoing days were over. Last week at an estate sale I ran across this one. It was the last day of the sale so everything was 50% off. I scooped it up. Did some research on it after I bought it. Made by Lincoln. Age I'm guessing built in the 90s. It's Fiberglass and barely a scratch on it. Was inside a 3 car garage. I'm guessing for a very long time. The cane seats were dry rotted so I just replaced them with wood. 17 footer, faux birch bark. Lincoln is still in business.  Small canoe and kayak builders. Built one at a time by hand they claim. Out of Massachusetts.  This canoe is very well built. Might try to put it in the water this weekend. Going see if I can " flip" it by winter as I don't want to leave it outside. My question is has anyone ever heard of Lincoln Canoe ? Do folks still like canoes or have kayaks taken over ? I'm thinking kayaks are the choice these days.

Edited August 24, 2023 by D_Mac

[wh500special 2,184]

Nice!
 

I would guess Lincoln is a regional brand.  Never heard of them here in the Land of Lincoln (Illinois).
 

The texture in the bottom inside looks like fiberglass woven roving which is quite strong and very tough.  Usually in boats you see a lot of chop strand mat which lays down smooth but isn’t nearly as durable.  I’d imagine it would bounce off rocks and be very damage tolerant.  
 

What would you guess it weighs?  I’d bet it’s 75 pounds or so just scaling off aluminum and Kevlar.   Kind of heavy??
 

I love canoes and canoeing.  We don’t have a “nice” canoe right now, just an incredibly heavy 17’ aluminum, and it’s a handful to take anywhere by myself.  My wife doesn’t know it, but at some point over the next year I’m hoping to get an ultralight Kevlar canoe to use for pond fishing around here.  They are insanely expensive new, but used ones can be reasonable if you don’t mind bumps and bruises.  I just need to get a rack on the roof of the truck and I’ll be set. 

 

I think you’re right that Kayaks have taken over in popularity, but they’re not for me.  There’s something a bit romantic about paddling a canoe and I think they are more versatile.  And from what I can tell, kayaks are pretty heavy for what they are. 
 

Get it wet while the weather is still cooperative. 
 

Steve

Edited August 25, 2023 by wh500special

[Rick3478 428]

3 hours ago, wh500special said:

 

I think you’re right that Kayaks have taken over in popularity, but they’re not for me.  There’s something a bit romantic about paddling a canoe and I think they are more versatile.  And from what I can tell, kayaks are pretty heavy for what they are. 
 

 

 

I can't imagine getting enough gear in a kayak to satisfy me.  Canoes are convenient, practical transportation.

[D_Mac 8,619]

Yes it seems to be very, very well built. I emailed the company and the owner replied back. The canoe was built in 1972 ! I couldn't believe it. When I tell you there is barely a scratch on it I mean it. Apparently Lincoln was the first to make Fiberglass canoes. This one is a true classic. Yesterday I waxed the bottom. Going to take it out soon.

[CCW 1,295]

I have had canoes and kayaks and while I loved the way the kayak handled in the water it became increasing difficult to get in and out of.  Previously we had an Old Town that weighed in about 80 pounds. Became too heavy for me to move about.  Sold it a few years ago and invested in a Kevlar canoe that weights 35 pounds.  Should be able to move it about without difficulty for some years to come.  My new toy is a 12 foot dory which allows me to row around the lake and take the grandkids fishing.

 

 

[D_Mac 8,619]

What lake are you on?

[D_Mac 8,619]

Took it out last weekend. Preformed excellently. Happy I got it. Did notice that we were the only canoe out there. Everyone else in kayaks. Oh well, I'm old school. Some pics of the outing. Canoeing on Irondequoit Creek.

[Handy Don 12,232]

On 8/25/2023 at 7:46 AM, CCW said:

12 foot dory which allows me to row around the lake and take the grandkids fishing.

I like this a lot. I row a cherry wood trimmed, kevlar Adirondack Guideboat converted to a sliding seat and I’m looking at your rearview mirror setup with interest since I spend a fair amount of time looking over my shoulder!

[Sailman 1,291]

You mentioned the canoe was built in 1972. These were the early years of fiberglass boat building and they were all built super strong as no one knew how well the process would hold up. Same with the boats built around that time. They were tanks compared to later built boats. Nice find!

[D_Mac 8,619]

50 minutes ago, Sailman said:

You mentioned the canoe was built in 1972. These were the early years of fiberglass boat building and they were all built super strong as no one knew how well the process would hold up. Same with the boats built around that time. They were tanks compared to later built boats. Nice find!

Thanks. The company that built the canoe "Lincoln" boasts that they were the first to produce Fiberglass canoe. Built the first one in 1958. They are still around today saying they " build boats one at a time, by hand ". Like I said earlier,  I am impressed on how well it's built. I probably should have replaced the seats with new weaving and not wood but I can do that next season. Hopefully I will get it on the water again next weekend.

Edited September 3, 2023 by D_Mac

[D_Mac 8,619]

So @Vinylguymade me some replacement decals for the sides of the canoe. The ones that were on it were dried out and mostly missing. I guess after 50+ years that happens. Terry as usual did an excellent job in reproducing what was there originally. I couldnt be happier. @Vinylguythank you so much.

[CCW 1,295]

On 8/25/2023 at 9:15 AM, D_Mac said:

What lake are you on?

 

West Hill Lake in New Hartford, CT

[CCW 1,295]

On 9/2/2023 at 2:19 PM, Handy Don said:

I like this a lot. I row a cherry wood trimmed, kevlar Adirondack Guideboat converted to a sliding seat and I’m looking at your rearview mirror setup with interest since I spend a fair amount of time looking over my shoulder!

 

Love the guide boats, but just way to expensive.  Mirror setup is so I can see the swimmers in the middle of the lake.  Discovered I cannot turn around and look the way I used to.

 

Mirrors came from Walmart.  Had the ugly fake shiny gems around the mirror, but they just peal right off.  If interested I can show more of how I set them up to be adjustable.

 

[CCW 1,295]

On 9/2/2023 at 2:19 PM, Handy Don said:

I like this a lot. I row a cherry wood trimmed, kevlar Adirondack Guideboat converted to a sliding seat and I’m looking at your rearview mirror setup with interest since I spend a fair amount of time looking over my shoulder!

 

BTW.  I love your boat.

[Handy Don 12,232]

17 minutes ago, CCW said:

Love the guide boats, but just way to expensive.  Mirror setup is so I can see the swimmers in the middle of the lake.  Discovered I cannot turn around and look the way I used to.

Mirrors came from Walmart.  Had the ugly fake shiny gems around the mirror, but they just peal right off.  If interested I can show more of how I set them up to be adjustable.

The "bought new" owner of my guideboat was moving and forced to sell quickly so he priced it way low and I got lucky. I’d been eyeing them for many years after a demonstration ride at a festival but the prices were a barrier for me, as well.

I trailer it to row mostly on the Hudson river. in the “open water” so I don’t really have to worry about running into swimmers or other boat traffic, but near spots popular for anchoring I’ve got to be a lot more careful. The most common risk, though, is the operator of a big power boat (30+ feet) zooming over to circle around and get a closer look at that “weird canoe”--meanwhile throwing up a 3 ft. wake. Happens surprisingly often!

I am vaguely considering trading this one in on e Vermont Dory. A bit heavier and not as fast but a lot more stable and easier to get in an out of for me and passengers.

[CCW 1,295]

7 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

The "bought new" owner of my guideboat was moving and forced to sell quickly so he priced it way low and I got lucky. I’d been eyeing them for many years after a demonstration ride at a festival but the prices were a barrier for me, as well.

I trailer it to row mostly on the Hudson river. in the “open water” so I don’t really have to worry about running into swimmers or other boat traffic, but near spots popular for anchoring I’ve got to be a lot more careful. The most common risk, though, is the operator of a big power boat (30+ feet) zooming over to circle around and get a closer look at that “weird canoe”--meanwhile throwing up a 3 ft. wake. Happens surprisingly often!

I am vaguely considering trading this one in on e Vermont Dory. A bit heavier and not as fast but a lot more stable and easier to get in an out of for me and passengers.

 

No big boats on my lake.  Motors are limited to 7hp.  My dory is heavy and very stable.  Still rows really well and the first time I took it out someone asked to buy it.  The Vermont Dories are great as well.

[Stormin 9,981]

When the weather is fine, you know it's the time, for messin' about on the river

If you take my advice, there's nothing so nice, as  messin' about on the river., 

There's big boats and wee boats ands all kinds of craft. Puffers and keel boats and some with no raft.

With the wind in your face, there's no finer place, than messin' about on the river.

There are boats made from kits, that'll reach you in bits. For messin' about on the river.

And you might want to skull, in a glass fibred hull. Go messin' about on the river.

Anchors and tillers and rudders and cleets. Ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets.

With the wind in your face there's no finer place, than messin' about on the river.

Skippers and mates and rowing club eights, all messin' about on the river.

Capstans and quays, where you tie up with ease, all messin' about on the river.

Outboards and inboards and dinghies you sail. The first thing you learn is the right way to bale.

In a one man canoe, you're both skipper and crew.  Messin' about on the river. 

Moorings and docks, tailors and locks. All messin' about on the river

Whirlpools and weirs that you must not go near. Messin' about on the river

Backwater places all hidden from view. Mysterious wee islands just waiting for you.

So I'll leave you right now, go cast off your bow, go messing about on the river.