measurements
The problem with measurements is having people who are not familiar with canoes working a tape measure. Having a 2" difference in canoes is hard to accurately disern when you can’t trust the measurements closer than ± 2".
Just a glimpse of an OCA gunwale or the bow on a Sunburst would give you enough information to make the determination. But a depth measurement taken by a novice in someones backyard that fell between the OCA and MGA would be inconclusive.
We have had people supply measurements that pointed to one model and then a photo sent that proved it was something else.
Thankfully between the various people on this board, we are familiar with a lot of obsolete hulls from WW to racing. Still no computer substitute for a good human memory and experience.
Bill
What was the stated beam of the MGB?
It was a flared hull, almost always used tandem, while the ubiquitous OCA was relatively narrow and often used solo. What was the MGB length? Didn’t Galt push it closer to 17’ to help the speed?
MGA
Length 17’6"
beam 36"
beam at 4" waterline 32"
center depth 13"
bow height 22"
stern height 20"
weight 85#
The MGA does not really look at all like the 15’9" OCA or the 17’3" 17A. It has a flaired assymetric hull with a sliding front seat that can be adjusted forward or back. It is a river touring boat and not a hieavy duty whitewater canoe.
MGA = Mike Galt model A
The ones I have seen had molded plastic/aluminum seats. I did not know they came with wood trim.
David
To see a real collectable MGB, links
http://cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=7962144
Probably sold by now, so don’t let that $2500 burn a hole in your pocket.
MGB
That is a pretty canoe, the lines are so smooth. The rarest of this model, rarer than the Kingfisher i mentioned above; is the Merrimac version of the Kingfisher version of the MGB. I will have to dig out my old Merrimac poster because i can’t remember the model name Merrimac hung on it. It was the composite version of the MGB done at Merrimac. With the inlaid wood ribs and laced seats, mahogany decks and dark stained trim. Their pretty trim in a canoe that paddled well. The only Merrimac that didn’t look like a wood canvas hull.
Bill
B denotes wood trim
Blue Hole nomenclature used B in the model number for wood trim. The later economy vinyl trimmed hulls used V.
Bill
I gotta go take a cold shower
That is one sexy boat
Also found pic of a guy paddling naked
in his MGB. Sorry, I don’t have a link.
A OCA and a tornado
ahh the memories I had a OCA. Named her Annie the anahinga. Had a tornado. She disappeared. Found by hunters a week or so later about a mile away in the timber. Smashed bow. At least her last ride was a doozy. great boat if the royalex and etc are still functionable…
Paddling Bare terrritory
A naked man in a Blue Hole, thats Fat Elmo & Paddling Bares Territory. I will stay clothed and composite.
Bill
Fat Elmo
Do you think this was Fat Elmo’s canoe? I do remember it had skid marks on the inside of the canoe.
No, the guy was slender with a 6 pack.
Merrimack Pennichuck
A late 1980’s brochure from Merrimack shows the Pennichuck and states that it was originally designed by Mike Galt in 1976 as a 17’6" ABS river cruiser. Merrimack made arrangements to produce it in Kevlar with their wood trim. They made a 16’6" in addition to the 17’6". Weights were 55# and 58# for the two versions. The depths were listed as 21/20 bow and stern for both and 13" and 13.5" in the centers of the two. The width given was overall at 35" and 35.5"
That parallels the specs for the Blue Hole Kingfisher that i owned. A Scouter friend bought it from me with the stipulation i got first shot if he decided to sell it. 25 years later he still uses it to fish in Lake Ontario and its tributaries.
In kevlar the Kingfisher 17’6" is slightly slower than my Wenonah Spirit. It is more seaworthy and dryer in big water and waves.
Bill
since
all the Blue Hole experts are active on this thread…tell me about mine
I have a 89 TBH, model TRA
curious what everyone says…I bought it used several years ago. and have not seen this model discussed yet.
Best Wishes
Roy
Like Blue Hole? You’ll love Evergreen
A few years ago, I purchased a solo canoe from Evergreen Canoe Co. They told me it was made on the old Blue Hole molds.
Do you have a working link for
Evergreen? Folks on myccr.com were having trouble reaching Evergreen, and there was concern the company was no longer functioning.
Evergreen’s website dates from '06,
but MEC, Canada’s equivalent to our REI, claims to carry a full line of Evergreen canoes, including the Blue Hole clones. So it appears Evergreen is still producing canoes, though one might have to drive into Canada to get one.
Evergreen
The 1988 Canoe magazine buyers guide shows Evergreen as the composite canoe branch of Blue Hole. Same address in Sunbright Tennessee. Whoever bought the rights when Blue Hole went under should have the composite molds.
I think they got the mold rights from
mutual agreement, before Blue Hole USA went under. Evergreen has been offering a few Blue Hole designs for quite a few years. The question now is, are Evergreen boats available except through MEC? Frontenac used to offer them, but no more.
The Blue Hole solo and tandem designs are still acceptable, but one could find a better hull from Esquif, Bell, or Mad River. I’m sure Steve Scarborough (personal acquaintance) would agree.
letters not in memory banks
Roy,
The Sunburst, Starburst, Prowler, and Cumberland are models that i can identify on sight, but do not remember the model numbers. The Prowler i think was the OCV cause it was just a vinyl trimmed OCA to lower the price. Put up a photo with the length from stem to stem and between g2d and others we can name it for you. If the stems are recurved it will be an OCA derivative, if they are angled the length will tell us the model, if its royalex.
Bill