Hi All,

Stolen/Missing Boat Alert - Bell Black Gold Flashfire with Wood Gunwales and nearly mint. It was being transported for me from Wisconsin to Texas and was stolen or went missing from a Motel 8 in Portage, Wi.

Serial - DQHO2113J897

I know chances of recovering it are slim but worth a shot since I have been trying to find one of these for years. They are not common in Texas and I am pretty bummed about this.

Thanks!

Update: I added the term missing since there is some question on exactly what happened to the boat. The boat still has not been recovered but I have received a refund from the person transporting it.

Bummer! I hate that.

Surfman,

Sorry to hear. Did you have your canoe locked up to your vehicle rack with cable?

When I am staying in a hotel with my Bell Black Gold Magic ... I am fearful of it being stolen, so I try to park in a well lit space and I tie cable around my canoe and put on a pad lock to deter theft. I guess any bolt cutter could cut right through my security cable but I figure it’s better to use some type of deterrent.

I had a motor transom bar stabilizer stolen off my boat at a gas station up near Superior WI in the middle of the day when I was headed up to Lake of the Woods.

I will certainly keep my eye out for your stolen canoe.

Man, that sucks! Will keep my eyes peeled!

Hi,

It was being transported for me by somebody else. I don't believe there was any sort of cable or lock on it that I am aware of.

Thanks,

Surfman (Eric)

I will try to watch the Minnesota and Wisconsin craigslist ads. I open them a lot anyway .

pswith5: "I will try to watch the Minnesota and Wisconsin craigslist ads. I open them a lot anyway . "

Me too. There are a lot of worse crimes out there, but I have a special contempt in my heart for canoe thieves and dog kickers. Sorry about this loss, and hope it's found.

Thanks for keeping a look out for me. I also posted on some of the Facebook groups too.

I know in reality I probably will never see this boat again but it does not hurt to try.

Now I have to start the long search for another one if it does not turn up......ugh

Surfman (Eric)

Eric I posted on Canoetripping.com too. Now if someone finds it, contact info? How to handle that?

There are a couple of symposia coming up in the Northeast and the Midwest where Flashfires are very wanted and participants would like to have one'
Its possible some unsuspecting that it is hot boat paddler bought one to have one for lessons there.

http://freestylecanoeing.com/adirondack-canoe-symposium/ This now

http://freestylecanoeing.com/midwest-canoe-symposium/ This in early Sept

I hate losers that take stuff.... seeing that boat makes me miss mine, should have never sold it, but when you have as many expensive hobbies as I do the finicial overlord (wife) demands a blood sacrifice from time to time

This is terrible. Probably worth a call to rutabega and Carl’s Paddlin shops to let then know to watch out. I hope you have resolution and will keep my eyes open.

Also on that note, call the sport shops in Portage and give them the information. They may have a local coming in for a new paddle and PFD. Right on the Wisconsin river, how convenient.
Was that the Super 8 in Portage? From the website it looks like they do have exterior security cams. Was a police report filed?
Call and follow up, you never know.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/D-W-Sports-Center/104544249613235

One of the reasons a camper was worth the investment. Campgrounds are more friendly and thief-free than hotel/motel parking lots.
So sorry this happened to your canoe. Thieving is a heartless business.

I know i get strange looks but I carry mine into hotel. ;) (Not in Ely - too many much nicer ones easily available. )

Sorry to hear this. I saw a FB post about this a few days ago and shared with my FB friends. They are scattered around the US and I figured some of them might also share too.

For what it's worth, we must have a mutual friend on FB because I saw it posted in my newsfeed. Sorry this happened. I realize the odds are long, but I hope you get it back...in one piece.

We were talking with a couple that are seriously into kayaking. They talked about how often high tech carbon fiber paddles disappear at boat landings at the end of trip when someone goes to use the outhouse etc. You would think people would have a little bit of ethics. When we stayed at Sawbill CG we were told to put something on a table to hold the site and com back to pay for it. So I put an old fishing rod case (empty) on the table.... It was gone when we came back.... First time in 55-60 years of camping anything has been stolen on a camping trip so I guess that part is good..... But next time will be a sheet of paper held down by a rock will be left to hold the spot....

dr bob

Hi All,

As of now the Flashfire still has not been recovered. I have recovered a good portion of the my investment back from the person transporting it though but not the full amount yet. I am more bummed about not getting this canoe than I am funds though. So it really bothers me that I don't know what happened to it.

I cannot say factually what happened to my canoe as of now and I will not just throw theories out there but I will say at this point there are some inconsistencies in the story I am getting from the person that was transporting the canoe.

All I can say for now.

Thanks,

Surfman

PuffinGin: "Sorry to hear this. I saw a FB post about this a few days ago and shared with my FB friends. They are scattered around the US and I figured some of them might also share too. "

Hi Puffin,

A lot of people have been sharing my Facebook post so probably somebody that shared it.

Thanks,

Surfman

Was the person transporting the canoe also the person that you purchased it from?

DrBobDg: "...When we stayed at Sawbill CG we were told to put something on a table to hold the site and com back to pay for it. So I put an old fishing rod case (empty) on the table.... It was gone when we came back..."

My practice at Sawbill is to set up my tent and tarp, then go pay. Been doing it that way for quite some time.

Thanks for taking the time to update. Inconsistencies in a story are always a 'light bulb' moment. Hope you can recover the rest of your investment.

Royce: "
Was the person transporting the canoe also the person that you purchased it from?


"

No, different people and completely unrelated. The person I purchased it from is a stand up guy and a canoe enthusiast. I feel bad for him as well since he was very attached to this canoe and was happy it was going to somebody who would appreciate it. Just a bad situation all around.

if there is anyone needing a Savage River Blackwater canoe transported in North America, give me a call, I'll do it cheap, any time, anywhere

Light Fingers Louie: "if there is anyone needing a Savage River Blackwater canoe transported in North America, give me a call, I'll do it cheap, any time, anywhere"

To soon for this kind of humor.

BearBurrito: "

Light Fingers Louie: "if there is anyone needing a Savage River Blackwater canoe transported in North America, give me a call, I'll do it cheap, any time, anywhere"

To soon for this kind of humor."

Nah I got a slight chuckle from it although I still want that Flashfire! :)

jhb8426: "

DrBobDg: "...When we stayed at Sawbill CG we were told to put something on a table to hold the site and com back to pay for it. So I put an old fishing rod case (empty) on the table.... It was gone when we came back..."

My practice at Sawbill is to set up my tent and tarp, then go pay. Been doing it that way for quite some time."

I also setup first at Sawbill Campground then go to the store to register. (i reserve a site online). I like Sawbills relaxed attitude a lot. Some campgrounds would freak if you tried to set up before payment. It seems to me that one item suggests a forgotten or overlooked item at check-out/ or upon departure. That doesn't justify someone lifting it, though. I think a piece of cardboard w/sharpie is a better idea than a personal item. 'Site taken"
jhb8426, we met briefly a few years ago at Sawbill. Yep, you were camped on favorite #2 site.

mjmkjun: "jhb8426, we met briefly a few years ago at Sawbill. Yep, you were camped on favorite #2 site. "

Yes, I remeber that, Mike. I recall we tried to get together a few times after that and couldn't get the timing worked out.

Surfman: "Hi,


It was being transported for me by somebody else. I don't believe there was any sort of cable or lock on it that I am aware of.


Thanks,


Surfman (Eric)


"

I don't lock the boats I transport. But my trusty dog Kira guards things pretty well for me. My eyes will be open!

I don't know if reviving a post will bring it back to the top, but I thought the community might want to know....
Looks like the exact same boat with the exact same photos is now listed for sale on Craigslist in Victoria, Tx.

Bell Flashfire for Sale

The OP was posting from Texas so I would hope he got his boat back and is now selling it. I will send an email.

The canoe in question was never stolen. It was badly damaged during transporting it to the OP and was falsely reported stolen. This canoe was recently on CL in Texas and Wisconsin. The pictures in the CL ad are the same as you see from the OP ( Pre transport damage). The original owner is trying to sell the repaired canoe. I had expressed some interest in the CL canoe ( Never got any answer to my questions) and thought the pictures looked familiar. Then it came to me that they where the same pictures as here. I contacted the OP and he filled me in.

Stay clear everyone. The OP isn't the one selling this. And the boat is likely damaged. The pictures are being reused by a person who did not take them.

I am not familiar with the term/acyranim OP. Please fill me in.

bwcadan: "I am not familiar with the term/acyranim OP. Please fill me in. "

Original Poster - the one starting the thread.

Hi All,

To be honest I still cannot say with certainty what truly happened with this canoe as I never could get a straight answer. I did get a refund from the transporter and he actually gave me $125 more for my troubles although I asked over and over not to give me more. I purchased this canoe from a really nice guy in Wisconsin and this was a dream boat of mine. I always wanted a black gold flashfire with wood gunwales and the old style tanks so I was paying a premium for it because of its condition.

I paid a guy from Texas who as far as I could tell routinely transported boats for people. The boat was picked up from Wisconsin and the seller and transporter confirmed this. The next day I get a strange text from the transporter about the boat being stolen. He told me it was stolen from a Motel 8 parking lot and even went into a very detailed description of two guys in a pickup truck who cut the straps and stole it from the parking lot I was told a police report was opened.

After that the transporter went silent for a couple of days and I started to look more into it. Called around to the police departments and motels in the area and nobody knew of anything. Finally the transporter admitted that it was not stolen and likely flew off his car although he said he did not have the boat. At that point the transporter refunded my money. Fast forward a week or so and all of a sudden the boat was found up North and his brother was picking it up for him.

Fast forward a couple more days and the boat has been completely epoxied over a clear gel coat. Repairs started on cracks in the carbon and repairs to the gunwale where the thwart was ripped from it.

Now this boat shows up all over Craigslist in Texas using the original pictures that the original seller took. This boat is not in this condition anymore and is not worth nearly what he is asking for it.

I do have some pictures of the boats current condition and also texts to back up almost everything I said above. I have kept this publicly quiet because the transporter did refund my money so I had no reason to bring any of this up but I don't like the fact that his ads are using the original pictures and I feel like somebody is going to get duped into buying this canoe.

Long story short I am still bummed about not getting this boat and seeing the ads over and over just annoys me more. I guess I will probably save up for a Colden Flashfire since used Flashfires are next to impossible to find in Texas.

Surfman

Well this one is a doozie. Just for clarification and not poking anyone.

You mentioned that suddenly the canoe was found and the transporter's brother was picking it up.

So do I understand that you never received the canoe but were paid back for it. And that the transporter is now the owner of the canoe. And the transporter is the one that made the repairs and is the one trying to sell it?

And the original owner of the canoe is completely out of the picture?
Once again, just trying to keep the pieces together, nothing more.

Tom

PS, I had a brand new wood canoe stolen from e back in 1996 in Superior Wisconsin. I never got it back but I will never stop looking for it. And I bet some day I will find it on a car, ad, or the water.

Here's another ad it was in:

http://www.rivermiles.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1532720357/1

tumblehome: "Well this one is a doozie. Just for clarification and not poking anyone.


You mentioned that suddenly the canoe was found and the transporter's brother was picking it up.


So do I understand that you never received the canoe but were paid back for it. And that the transporter is now the owner of the canoe. And the transporter is the one that made the repairs and is the one trying to sell it?


And the original owner of the canoe is completely out of the picture?
Once again, just trying to keep the pieces together, nothing more.


Tom


PS, I had a brand new wood canoe stolen from e back in 1996 in Superior Wisconsin. I never got it back but I will never stop looking for it. And I bet some day I will find it on a car, ad, or the water."

Correct I never received the canoe and I was reimbursed by the transporter. The transporter is the owner of the canoe and is free to do what he wants with it. The transporter made the repairs and is the one trying to sell it.

Yes, the original seller is completely out of the picture and he was paid by me for the boat before it was picked up by the transporter.

Did the transporter reimburse you for the transportation and canoe cost? Sorry you were not able to get the canoe you wanted, I would have been pretty bummed.

Too bad the guy ('transporter) had to lie about the entire deal....you gotta wonder...

dr bob

what a scam job. at least you got your money back. lot's of canoes out there for sale from reputable sellers.

bwcasolo: "what a scam job. at least you got your money back. lot's of canoes out there for sale from reputable sellers."

Sounds like the seller was cool, but the transporter was shady

Throw in some booze, some broads, and some blow and we got us a best seller here......

The seller was completely legit and had nothing to do with the transporter. I did get all my money back plus $125 extra which I did not ask for but was given.

I was very happy to walk away with my money back. Lesson learned!

Wow, my buddy from TX who's coming to Canoecopia with us almost bought this boat! Luckily, he decided upon a new Northwind Solo instead!

The message seems to be: Don't ever buy a boat sight unseen from someone you don't know.

A lot in this story still puzzles me. People seem to be assuming facts that are not necessarily facts. Because a lot is hazy, I want to throw out a hypothetical.
What if a seller advertises a really nice, discontinued and coveted canoe. Only seller doesn't even have the canoe, he just has pictures.
Buyer makes contact and agrees to buy it. Money is sent. Seller says, sure, buyer can cross the country to get it, or otherwise, buyer can use a transporter seller knows. All of these conversations are by text. Seller gives buyer the number for transporter. Buyer calls transporter and talks to him. Buyer doesn't realize it's the same guy as seller.
Few days go by, and then a desperate call from transporter. Dude, the boat was stolen. Details.
Another day. Transporter calls again. Dude, I got to tell the truth. Boat flew off the truck, and is really smashed up. What do I do? Do you still want it? Here are pictures of the smashed boat. Look, I'm going to lose a lot on this deal, and I don't have insurance, but I'll get you most of your money back. But can I keep what you paid me for transport? Or maybe: I'm going to lose so much on this deal. Can I pay you back all but a couple hundred?
Buyer gets most of money back. Buyer just feels relieved to get most of his money back. Buyer doesn't even realize he has just been scammed. Only, it is not the $1,800 for the boat, it is much less than that, maybe $200 or $300.
Because buyer doesn't realize he has been scammed, he doesn't even notify police. Scam can go on and on and on and on and on.

Surfman: "The seller was completely legit and had nothing to do with the transporter. I did get all my money back plus $125 extra which I did not ask for but was given.


I was very happy to walk away with my money back. Lesson learned!"

How does the new seller have access to the original seller's Craigslist photos?
This does not pass the smell test.

suspicious: "

Surfman: "The seller was completely legit and had nothing to do with the transporter. I did get all my money back plus $125 extra which I did not ask for but was given.



I was very happy to walk away with my money back. Lesson learned!"

How does the new seller have access to the original seller's Craigslist photos?
This does not pass the smell test."

Likely from the first post of this thread.

Folks although the theories of possible scenarios are entertaining and reminder of internet purchase caution, I think surfman has put this behind him. And frankly the likely hood of a bell canoe being the instrument of involved internet scammin is a bit far fetched. We would have heard this story more then once if it was.

If I ever need a transporter, I’ll be hiring Jason Statham.

Blatz: "

bwcasolo: "what a scam job. at least you got your money back. lot's of canoes out there for sale from reputable sellers."

Sounds like the seller was cool, but the transporter was shady"

agree.

suspicious: "

Surfman: "The seller was completely legit and had nothing to do with the transporter. I did get all my money back plus $125 extra which I did not ask for but was given.



I was very happy to walk away with my money back. Lesson learned!"

How does the new seller have access to the original seller's Craigslist photos?
This does not pass the smell test."

The person selling the boat now got the original pictures from a Texas paddling Facebook group we are both on. I put the boat on there when it went missing.

The original seller was not scamming anyone. I found the transporter through a friend who had a boat transported through him which actually arrived in one piece.