More than a hundred years have passed since our first wood-and-canvas canoe hit the water. In that time we've launched more than a million canoes and kayaks. With that many Old Town boats paddling around, our customers have had their fair share of adventures. If you've got a story or photo of your own you would like to share, send to yourstories@oldtowncanoe.com

Stories and Photos

Durability of the Osprey Canoe
I received an Old Town Ospray canoe some years ago from a neighbor of mine. Just the other day we were camping on the Golden Road in Baxter State Park and on our trip home I had the canoe strapped down with two ratchet straps on top of my pickup. When I got into Millinocket I stopped to tighten up the strap on the back of the canoe and thought I was all set to go on my trip from Millinocket to Bangor. As soon as I got onto I95 southbound and went over the Penobscot Bridge I heard a loud bang. When I looked in my rear view mirror all I saw was two straps hanging from my racks and no canoe. I thought the canoe was done for. I pulled over on the side of the road to assess the situation and noticed that the canoe was gone and one strap had broken. At that time a car behind me stopped and stated he thought the canoe landed in the Penobscot River. I quickly got turned around on I95 and headed North. As I was going over the bridge, (which is about 60 feet above the river) I noticed the canoe floating down stream. I managed to find the road beside the river and found a dock which to look for the canoe. The canoe was about 200yds out and just upstream. I put a life jacket on and swam out to get the canoe. Once I got the canoe on shore I examined the canoe and found no problems with the canoe. What a relief to find out that my Ospray canoe flew off my truck doing 65 mph and fell 60+ feet into the Penobscot River with no damage to it. It is exciting to know that I will be able to use the canoe again for some fun outings with my family.
-Jeff Sennett
Bangor, Maine

During Paddlefest weekend in Old Forge, NY in May 2010 I paddled the Fulton Chain of Lakes from Old Forge to Inlet, NY in my Old Town Vapor. This is my first kayak and I absolutely love it.
-Submitted by Joe Geronimo of Endwell, NY