Penn Yan Rainbow Canoe


 

Cedar/canvas canoes were a mainstay of Penn Yan’s product line throughout the wooden boat building era.  Although several additional canoe models were introduced during those years, the Owasco and Rainbow enjoyed the longest run. These two models appear to have differed only in the shape of the hood ends. Those of the Rainbow are more sharply turned back, while the Owasco’s are more gently rounded.

The boat shown here is the 16 ft RN model, built in 1954. The thwarts, seat frames and decks of the RN were made with mahogany, and the gunwales were built with spruce. Half-rib floors and outside stems were standard on this canoe. The RN was introduced in 1948 and produced through 1964, when canoe building ceased at Penn Yan.