Finding more info... on an old canoe

Advice
#1

I know this is not a new topic… but I am new to the forum… and asking for help/advice.

I moved to Southeast Michigan in 1985… and bought a used aluminum canoe (about 17’) around that time from someone that was not sure what brand it was. When I checked it out… it was affordable… and appeared quite durable. So I bought it… I have used her hard… and she has served well.

But I would like to know more.

  • I have found no Brand Name anywhere.
  • There is still a rectangular shiny spot on the front right where I suspect a sticker with an HIN might have once been… but no characters are discernable there.
  • The only identifying feature is a plate riveted behind the rear seat.
#2

Here is a link to the Boundary Waters Canoe discussion to ID a pre_HIN aluminium canoe with the same style serial number plate as yours. I hope this rabbit hole is shallow and effective.

#3

Hi Andy… I think I narrowed it down. I found a video of a guy replacing the webbing on one that looks a lot like mine. He said it was either an AeroCraft… or Sears. I searched an AeroCraft site… but could not find it… then I found old Sears catalogs online…

Sears 1972 Catalog - Canoe
Sears 1972 Catalog - Canoe868×570 377 KB

I think mine is a slightly earlier model… but this was the first (and last) year they had this one in color that looks nearly exactly like mine.

#4

Thanks for the reply… as it does look like the same boat type. They seem to be guessing AeroCraft on that thread. But what I see on the AeroCraft sight is slightly different. Where that Sears catalog looks like a spot on match!

#5

Keep in mind that boats with the Sears label would have been made by some other company, so the relationship to AeroCraft might still be real. Both Sears and Wards did this with a great many of their products.

#6

If I understood correctly, Aerocraft serial numbers had letters too to identify features AeroCraft Model: Apache-17-Canoe

Good job on sleuthing your Sears model!

#7

You have an excellent point… and with the seat strap clips… and things like the bow and stern tie down features being identical with AeroCraft… this is highly likely.