A Bill Coleman Canoe; An Oldy but Goodie

Good weekend to drag the old canoe out from under the overhang; pressure washed off the grime and put a coat of wax on it. She still looks pretty sharp after all the years of wear and tear I have put it thru.

For you guys that grew up in the Kitchener area, this old gal was custom built by William (Bill) Coleman who had a shop out on Dundas St in Galt. I bought it used from a lad in Merrickville in 1994 and I seem to remember he had if for close to 10yrs. So she’s at least 30 yrs old.

I bought it as a family canoe, to take the kids and dogs out camping and canoeing. She’s still a 16 footer, but seems to be a little heavier now :)

By the way that 3M Fiberglas restore stuff works great. It’s hard to see in the pic the difference of before and after, but can you ever feel the difference, great product.

Great canoe for fishing !!!!


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...psbc9cfe58.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps6617b26b.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...psb7c13cf3.jpg

Good looking vessel!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Good weekend to drag the old canoe out from under the overhang; pressure washed off the grime and put a coat of wax on it. She still looks pretty sharp after all the years of wear and tear I have put it thru.

For you guys that grew up in the Kitchener area, this old gal was custom built by William (Bill) Coleman who had a shop out on Dundas St in Galt. I bought it used from a lad in Merrickville in 1994 and I seem to remember he had if for close to 10yrs. So she’s at least 30 yrs old.

I bought it as a family canoe, to take the kids and dogs out camping and canoeing. She’s still a 16 footer, but seems to be a little heavier now :)

By the way that 3M Fiberglas restore stuff works great. It’s hard to see in the pic the difference of before and after, but can you ever feel the difference, great product.

Great canoe for fishing !!!!


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...psbc9cfe58.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps6617b26b.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...psb7c13cf3.jpg

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Started his business originally on Water St. in the back of the Tiger Brand Knitting Factory, when he was ready to pack in the business, he destroyed the mold for the canoe rather that selling it or the business to anyone else, he was quite a character , hated the gov. both prov. and federal , hated paying taxes and did all business by cash only.

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Originally Posted by jaycee

Started his business originally on Water St. in the back of the Tiger Brand Knitting Factory, when he was ready to pack in the business, he destroyed the mold for the canoe rather that selling it or the business to anyone else, he was quite a character , hated the gov. both prov. and federal , hated paying taxes and did all business by cash only.

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What years would that have been Jaycee ???

Looks like a very strong designed hull. With modern materials it would be a real winner.!!

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Originally Posted by MikePal

What years would that have been Jaycee ???

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He was at the Water St. address in the mid 50's .
I see your canoe has the Galt Cambridge decal on it , Cambridge did not come into being till 1973.

Best fiberglass canoe made, the mold taken from a cedar strip canoe that he had at the timewith a couple of minor changes.
It has perfect lines and they are very stable, a friend of mine still has his.

It really is a great canoe Moe and I have had many good years with her, but it is getting harder for me to get it up onto the roof of the Pick-Up cap by myself. My wife pitches in, but she lacks the strength and height to be able to help much.

I may have to look at getting a modified boat trailer to take her to the river soon. I don't want to sell her yet, she handles well, sits nice on the water, like Jaycee says, she very stable, easy to fish from.

My wife sits and handles well too, and is a joy to fish with to boot:rolleyes:
While she will ride in the back of the truck, she won't ride on a boat trailer......

Love it !

I am having a gathering of all Bill Coleman Craft Canoe Owners, June 11th. Cambridge, ON The Coleman family we be there. Here is the thread
http://www.oodmag.com/community/showthread.php?85823-Bill-Coleman-Craft-Canoe-Owners-Reunion-Mill-Pond-Cambridge-ON-June-11th-2016&p=976659#post976659

I know 3 people who own these canoes. Excellent product. I'm guessing nobody kept the company/design going? I have moose hunted and fished out of one many times.

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Originally Posted by terrym

I know 3 people who own these canoes. Excellent product. I'm guessing nobody kept the company/design going? I have moose hunted and fished out of one many times.

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I posted this previously;
Started his business originally on Water St. in the back of the Tiger Brand Knitting Factory, when he was ready to pack in the business, he destroyed the mold for the canoe rather that selling it or the business to anyone else, he was quite a character , hated the gov. both prov. and federal , hated paying taxes and did all business by cash only.