ID this antique cedar strip duckboat?

NickR

NickR

Well-known member
My grandfather acquired this duckboat from a close friend of his in the 1950s or 60s and I have been infatuated with it for about 20 years. No one in my family knows its origins. We suspect it was made in the 1930s-1940s. The boat's "home" was in Willmar, MN so one might guess that it was made somewhere in Minnesota. It's about 11 feet long and angle nailed. It still wears the original oarlocks.

A friend of mine rehabilitated the boat in 2007. He's a seasoned waterman and ducker from Princeton, WI and he was enamoured by the construction technique. He and numerous cohorts from that area had never seen anything like it. He said the way the ribs and side planks curve up and around would indicate that the mold had to be taken out in pieces or destroyed and that was highly uncommon.

Here are a couple basic pictures, and I could certainly take more if it would help (the oar locks?). One pic is pre-rehab and the other is me on the "return to commission" float in Aug 07.

thanks in advance!

049_38.jpg


P1010169.jpg

 
No idea where it came from or who built it but that sure is a cool little boat!
 
I am not in any way an expert on historic duck boats, but I echo what Carl said. What a cool boat, it almost looks biblical...
 
Nick, I don't have a clue as to who might've made it, but it reminds me a lot of a canoe that I've lusted after at a strip canoe building school that I've wanted to go to. The Whisper...

http://www.wooden-canoes.com/canoes/whisper.htm

Maybe just a very similar design...maybe the same design...dunno...

Dani
 
Nick, that really is a cool boat! I love it. If you find out who built it make sure you let us all know. When you are here after Christmas just give me a call, I'm in the phone book or PM and I'll send my #s.
 
Thanks for the compliments!

It took me about 10 years to find someone to restore it, and I spose if I'm lucky I'll find out who made it in another 10 years. Unfortunately, I would imagine as time goes on, it will be harder to find someone familiar with it.

Any more thoughts would be appreciated!

NR
 
Just wanted to bring this post back to the top because we've had so many new members since I originally asked.

Still have the boat, but haven't learned anything new . . .

Any help, info, or leads would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

NR
 
What a great looking boat. While looking at it, I couldn't help but think what it would be like to have my decoys off of that island's point behind you. Beautiful looking country.
Al
 
nick who did you get to do the resto on the boat i have an old hunting boat that i would like to get done text me the info 444-5490 or facebook me bout it thanx
 
Nick -

There are a couple of well versed guys who go to that antique duck decoy show at the Thunderbird Hotel in Bloomington that would know the history of that boat. I can't recall the exact name of the show or the dates but Wicker T would know.

The guy I would get in touch with, if he is still around, is Andy Anderson. He collected old MN/upper midwest duck boats. I have his contact info on another computer that I'll be on tomorrow. I'll see what I can find.

Mark W
 
Hey Nate,
It took me over 10 years to find someone to do the work! The guy that did it was a friend's father in law, and now days I consider him a friend of mine. However, He lives over by Lake Winnebago in WI and he's getting up in years, so I don't think he'd be willing to take on another project like this. Sorry.

Thanks Mark! Looking forward to getting the info from you. The show you referenced is the MN Decoy Collectors' show and I have been going to it for the past several years. I've asked around, but haven't made any connections. Maybe your info will be the lucky ticket! I've thought about trying to get the boat inside the show, but haven't really pursued the idea.

NR
 
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