Grand Laker Canoe

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE I have little knowledge of hand-made boats, so please feel free to ask any question that I may not have answered directly. I believe this boat is technically called a Grand Laker, popular in Maine/Vermont/Minnesota and parts of Canada. I acquired this boat from the son of the original owner. It’s 19’ with a 55” beam. It was built about 1962 by a French Canadian guide named Lucian Daoust.

Apparently, most of these Grand Lakers are built by guides in the off-season using molds handed down from as early as 1870. This boat is cedar construction and the craftsmanship is evident when compared with many images available on-line of similar boats being built. The inside is painted brown and appears in great condition. I can see one rib that is cracked and a few others with some wear, but nothing significant. The cross bars and seats show they are aged, but all are very sturdy.

In the 1970’s the original owner put the boat in the water in the spring and it leaked. He was unaware of the need for cedar to swell to seal and had the boat fiberglassed. The fiberglass is intact across the entire boat. The boat has seen little use since 1994 and been stored, covered, since 2011. With the excellent condition of the inside, plus the fiberglass covering the outside, its likely the cedar is in near-perfect condition underneath.

I’m not sure if this is specific to all Grand Lakers or just this boat, but the keel has a steel rail running to within a couple feet of the bow. The remainder of the keel rail, around the bow, appears to be copper. The trailer needs paint, but is otherwise road worthy and comes with the boat. Note the boat fits the trailer fairly well and can be turned upside down for long term storage. I was able to flip the boat by myself.

I believe the boat weights about 250lbs. I suppose there may be some commercial transportation options for shipping, but you’ll need to arrange that. I will be happy to meet a truck as far as Missoula Montana, but local pickup would be optimal.