Rollin Thurlow has been building and restoring wood-and-canvas canoes for 38 years. This spring, Rollin took a short break from his shop, the Northwoods Canoe Company in Atkinson, Maine, to paddle the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in celebration of its 50th anniversary. As always, he ventured out in his beloved Atkinson Traveler, the same canoe he’s been paddling for 25 years. “I wouldn’t paddle anything else,” he says. He designed the boat in 1982, as one of a series of plans to be included in The Wood & Canvas Canoe, a revered building guide that he wrote with Jerry Stelmok of Island Falls Canoe, also located in Atkinson.Back when he designed the Atkinson Traveler, Rollin began with what he most respected, the working boats that E.M. White built in central Maine beginning in the late 1880s; White’s designs were the mainstay of the guides, foresters, and wardens of the era. Rollin believes that White’s 18′6″ and 20′ Guide models, built to handle Maine’s often shallow and rock-strewn rivers, neared perfection for a regional craft. This special commemorative Atkinson Traveler was built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The cedar ribs and planking come from the AWW, the rails were made from Baxter State Park spruce and the figured maple is from northern Maine’s Piscataquis County.
all photographs by the author
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Great article! I paddled wooden canoes as a camp kid and ‘glass as an adult. The wood has a feel that ‘glass can’t match. I suspect that many of the wood boats I paddled were held together by the yearly coat of green paint they received.
I have never seen a paddle held that way. Please tell me more!
A wonderful article. These canoes are truly works of art—form meets function—and beautifully constructed. It’s nice to know that Rollin is passing on his knowledge to the next generation of builders.
The Northwoods Paddles Rollin and Elisa are using are carved by Alexandra Conover Bennett. I used one when paddling the Traveler and found it powerful, a perfect match for Rollin’s boat. They are generally made from ash (though cherry and maple are possibilities) and run 5′ to 6′ in length. The staged grip allows the paddle to be effective in both high and low water. One can also use it to practice the Northwoods Stroke. Its design is traditional to the region. Honestly, I’ve wanted one for a long time.
For more information on any wooden canvas canoe or the paddle designs and techniques shown in the pictures please check out the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association. There is a large forum section discussing many topics about wooden canvas birchbark and all wood canoes.