A conundrum…maybe a…canoedrum?
Max Peterson, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
The canoe, an 18' OT Guide from 1937, is in pretty good shape. It just needs a good cleaning, some repair to a bit of dry rot on the outwales (I will probably just replace them) and recanvas and refinishing.
This boat is shown with an Old Town rudder from another 18' in front for contrast. The boat also has a logo painted on it. Anyone recognize it? There is a rectangular plate on the bow deck with the number ‘312’ which I assume might be a livery number. The tiller mechanism looks to be home-made using an oarlock, but quite sophisticated. The horns on the rudder and tiller were connected with steel cables and the location shown is accurate. The mast step and partner are not as refined and much overbuilt. It came without mast, spars, sails, or leeboards. I would assume that it carried a rather large sail.
 I don't believe that even the mast step is original. It is less refined than the other OT factory ones that I have seen although the finish seems to be the about same as the canoe interior. I don't see any reason for the elaborate second step and attachment to the mast partner as the lowest step is screwed to the ribs and the mast partner is bolted to the inwales. It looks like the start of a removable rig, something I think I will build sometime so that I can attach it to different canoes.  I think that I saw a similar rudder in a collection of parts at the 2007 WCHA Assembly, but I can't remember who had it. I’m hoping someone will see these pictures and be able to provide some background information. It seems enormous to me. The tiller is ingenious, and well made. It looks like it would work well. I'm more accustomed to just using a line connected from horn to horn through blocks under the center thwart. There were no leeboards or leeboard thwart with the canoe when I got it, and I don't see any evidence of their attachment.  The canoe was shipped to R. C. Price & Co. at the foot of Federal St., Pittsburgh, PA on June 23, 1937. Any ideas and information would be appreciated.
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