I just purchased an Old Town Pack 12' off craigslist. Pretty good shape with some light fading on the hull. I'm assuming 1992 because the last 2 numbers on the hull stamp are 92.

Couple of questions - is this a royalex canoe? It is incredibly light - probably in the 30+ lb range.

Before I say what I paid, what is the likely value of this canoe?

What can I apply to the hull to prolong life and keep everything protected? The hull looks to be in pretty good shape with no major dings, just light scratches.

Thanks.

You will want to use a UV protectant on the hull, something like 303.

No idea on value since used canoes are pretty variable in price depending on the demand for that model in the area it is being sold. The factory specs put that canoe at about 33lbs. Have fun with your "new" toy!

straighthairedcurly: "No idea on value since used canoes are pretty variable in price depending on the demand for that model in the area it is being sold. The factory specs put that canoe at about 33lbs. Have fun with your "new" toy!"

I paid $480, SW Idaho. Weighed the price against what I would have to pay new for local new fishing model canoes/kayaks that were likely 2-3x the weight. New fishing rigs in the 12 to 14 ft range were >$900 +tax in the current economy at Cabelas, Sportsmans Warehouse etc. Plastic rotomolded etc. Happy with what I ended up with. Loading on top of my truck topper was a breeze.

I'd say a very good deal. Congrats!

deerfoot: "You will want to use a UV protectant on the hull, something like 303."

303 is water soluble. Applying it to the hull is basically dumping it in the river or lake. Not good advice.

Sounds like you got yourself a good deal. That is a Royalex layup. Very tough. Those boats have kinda a cult following, especially in the "bushcraft" community. They are designed to be carried over one shoulder but I'm sure you could retrofit a removeable yolk if need be. The only issue I have heard with it is it tends to want to spin so tracking might be an issue. But for what you paid for it, who cares. It should be a fun little boat and last you for years. I wouldn't worry about trying to protect the hull. Just keep it covered if your worried. I used an old town for years and beat the tar out of it and all we ever did was just repaint it. Congrats on the new boat!

Thanks. I'm excited to put some miles on this boat. Fits perfectly on the topper rails on my Tacoma. On a trip last spring I dying to get on a high mountain lake in remote Idaho where I was camped on a bear hunt. Come to find out that lake had a healthy kokanee salmon population and I was missing out. Already planning Spring 23 return.

The demand and the price for these are inversely related to the distance from trout water without road access. In the Northeast and a few other places, they will frequently fetch more than you paid. At the Saganaga entry point, not so much. ;-)

those are hard to come by, glad you lucked into one. was it in MN?

The Old Town Pack is a great short canoe made out of Royalex. The manufacturer of Royalex got bought out and the new parent company shut down the Royalex manufacturing plant. Royalex is not available to make new canoes so the old Royalex canoes will continue to appreciate in value if they are taken care of.

If the Pack feels tippy, you can lower the seat. I think Old Town sells a kit to do it. I have read others state that moving the seat forward 6” helps with the stability. I had one and sold it decades ago. I was looking for another one and was surprised how much they are going for when you can find one.

I second the motion to use 303 Aerospace Protectant. It works great.

PowerLizard: "

I second the motion to use 303 Aerospace Protectant. It works great.
"

Again 303 is water soluble. Does not protect something exposed to water. It is not classified as a hazardous substance but it is toxic. You put it on your canoe and you're putting it in the watershed.
303 MDS

Banksiana: "

PowerLizard: "


I second the motion to use 303 Aerospace Protectant. It works great.
"

Again 303 is water soluble. Does not protect something exposed to water. It is not classified as a hazardous substance but it is toxic. You put it on your canoe and you're putting it in the watershed.
303 MDS "

I am telling you it works and it doesn’t just wash off. I bought a used 10+ year Hobie Float Cat last year. This summer I was taking it on a week long trip so I finally got around to spraying it down with 303 Aerospace Protectant, let it sit, then wiped it down with a paper towel. The plastic boat went from me questioning my purchase to looking better than new. It doesn’t fix everything. The deep scratches are still there. I have used the Hobie Float Cat over a dozen times since the application and it still looks great. I think the plastic absorbs it. I am not a chemical engineer but I can see the difference, even months later. I don’t spray down the plastic kayaks and boats on a regular basis. Probably every 2 - 3 years.

If you don’t recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant, what do you recommend?

I have also used 303 on two mad river royalex canoes I own. It does work for a while and shines them up. I know it causes some long lasting effects because if you try sticking stick on items to your royalex boat treated with 303 they will not stick. This effect also applies to pak boats, So, I use 303 and similar refurbishments to restore color and shine to my royalex canoes and will continue to do so. BTW: Cliff Jacobsen in one of his books liked 303 so much he sprayed it on his duluth packs and swore they lasted longer and were not sun faded. I think 303 on a old town pack canoe will enhance it, and restore some of its initial luster. Go for it.

There are a bunch of 303 products. I'd probably wager a little that 303® Marine Protectant would do okay with water. There may well be some 303 products that don't.

303 is perfect. I bought a used Pack this past summer. Paid $450. Dropped the seat a couple inches. Nice boat for the price--even nicer at 30#. I found mine to be nice and stable, rode the waves well without a worry of tipping. Cons I've found is it is a slow bugger and does not like to go into the wind at anything more than a crawl. Some guys complain about the tracking, but I bought an extra long double blade paddle that keeps her on the straight and narrow.

Others will tell you its not a BWCA boat, but I did the Kawishiwi Traingle last month (October). Other than the speed into the wind she held up just fine. Don't think I would take her on a trip on Brule thought.

Nope, she's not a Prism or Magic, but the price per pound makes me very happy with her!