"Colonel's Past", A 1953, 16ft. Canadian

(owned by Rob Parnell)

A work in progress - aiming to be completed for the Trent-Severn's events of 2005.... Rob is the Club's youngest member, and is 'learning the ropes', and is actively involved in the restoration of "Colonel's Past"... with assistance from Club Member Murray Parnell (Dad), and some rib replacement help from Club Member, John Hendren.

Colonel's Past (by Rob Parnell, Jan. 2005)

The Colonel's Past is a 16' cedar strip boat with mid-steering. It was built by Canadian Canoe Co. in 1953 (hull number 8442). The motor is a 1962, 28hp Evinrude that is all original with electric start, and is in mint condition.

My name is Rob Parnell; I am 16, and am the youngest member of the Trent-Severn Antique Boat Club. My dad and myself are in the process of restoring the sister ship to the boat that my great grandfather, Colonel J. A. Dewart bought in 1958. It also had a 1962, 28hp Evinrude. This boat was used by my dad at the family cottage on Chemong Lake in the '70's.

The Colonel's Past was originally from Buckhorn Lake, until it was in the hurricane of '74, where it got picked up from the water and dropped on the ground. The storm broke 40-some ribs. In 2003 he took the boat to Toronto to sell it, and that's where we found it with the original Tee-Nee trailer. When we got the boat, we knew that the ribs would have to be replaced, the same with the outer keels. The rest of the hull would just need to be refinished.

Thanks to our good friend, John Hendren, we replaced the ribs in 2004 at his shop because he had all the tools there. We are in the varnishing stage now, and have been since Boxing Day.

The boat will be docked at the same family cottage, in the same boat hoist as its sister ship 45 years, and 3 generations ago.

I acquired the love of the 16' Peterborough cedar strip after driving Nik Rishor's boat at the 2002 Peterborough Boat Show.

Thanks Nik,

Rob Parnell

Getting closer to completion!

Varnish Complete/ Trailer Painted/ Decals in Place......... Looking GOOOOD, Rob!

Water test - May 1st, 2005

Colonel's Past at her first Boat Show - Gravenhurst, Ontario July 9th, 2005

Colonel's Past braved the inclement weather to help celebrate the reopening of Lakefield's Wharf - May 2006