An interview with Garrett Conover, woodsman, author, wilderness canoeist guide.

[ppine]

lowangle al,
My canoe building days are over. I got overwhelmed making repairs to the brittle old OT. I gave it to a Native friend of mine.

I have sold all of my canoes. My balance is just not that good for fast water. I go in a drift boat now at 74.

 

[lowangle al]

That's too bad ppine, it must have been tough selling all your boats, but at least you're still getting out there. I guess you have no interest in day trips or paddling for pleasure. There's more to life than tripping on fast water. Maybe when your friend fixes up the old Guide he'll let you borrow it.

 

[lowangle al]

Jerry was exaggerating a bit. Page four of the 1948 White catalog at https://woodencanoemuseum.org/index.php/manufacturer-catalog/white-canoe-company-1948 lists their 20 foot long Guide model as weighing 95 pounds. Page nine of the 1948 Old Town catalog at https://woodencanoemuseum.org/manufacturer-catalog/old-town-canoe-company-1948 lists their 20 foot long Guide model as weighing 100 pounds. Catalog weights often vary from actual weights but usually not in excess of ten pounds. The White is generally described as having a more rounded bottom than the Old Town which will be slightly faster in deep water. People who anticipate spending a lot of time in shallow water or who ever plan to use a motor often prefer the Old Town. Your mileage may vary...

Benson

Is it possible that Jerry used lighter canvas than the original Whites? I just had my 18' OT recanvased and it's much lighter with a thinner canvas then what was on it. It's also noticeably less stiff and has more flex than it did before, but part of this is due to not replacing the keel. As soon as I put the boat in the water I could tell it floated much higher. At any rate, I think the boat is better then new, and it's almost 83 years old.

 

[Benson Gray]

Is it possible that Jerry used lighter canvas than the original Whites?

Absolutely, most modern canoes use much lighter canvas than was common in the past. Jerry's web page and the White catalog don't specify the canvas weight but the Old Town catalog at https://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/specific.gif confirms that 'the "Guide's Special Canoe" (page 18) has No. 6 to withstand the heaviest and severest service.' This can easily account for a significant weight difference.

Benson