Curtis Dragonfly canoe saved

The late, Mark Russel, from what I have been told was a very fine paddler. He did a lot of whitewater. He and Brad Sheeler even paddled Curtis Dragonfly’s down the lower Yough. I purchased his Dragonfly this year at the WPASCR. I have just finished up giving it a new lease on life. New paint, sanding & ZAR aged bourbon stain on the gunwales, oiled, mahogany decks, conk seat, and new decals.

Looks terrific, NCD.

The Dragonfly was of course designed for Harold Deal to compete in the whitewater racing combined class event—slalom plus downriver in the same canoe. So, a strong whitewater canoeist could run the lower Yough in it, and even harder stuff. Harold later used the canoe for Canadian wilderness trips because of its depth, and it thereafter become mostly known as a river and lake tripping canoe.

Did you design that dragonfly decal? I don't recall them being on the original Curtis, but it's been a long time ago and my memory may be wrong.

A canoe friend of mine ordered it for me as a gift. I think he got it from “sticker mule”. Thanks

Excellent job saving a classic…enjoy!

Nicely done.

What kind of paint did you use?

I bought a fiberglass Dragonfly from Mark that belonged to his brother. I have not paddled it down the Lower Youghiogheny but did paddle it down Slippery Rock Creek.

pblanc said:

I bought a fiberglass Dragonfly from Mark that belonged to his brother. I have not paddled it down the Lower Youghiogheny but did paddle it down Slippery Rock Creek.

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I love the color of yours!