Design 1756 Passenger Vessel

This 58 passenger vessel was built of aluminum by J.W. Nolan & Sons of Erie, Pennsylvania.  She was launched in 1963.  I cant tell you much about her.  Looking at the Nolan archives I have not been able to identify the boat, or if she is still afloat. I can see a small note on the plans that says the Coast Guard at Buffalo, New York had us add freeing ports to the aft cockpit so my supposition is that the boat saw service somewhere in upstate New York.

Here is the general arrangement.

Principal Dimensions

LOA 57-9"

LWL 53-0"

Beam 15-9"

Draft 4-4"

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Design 709 Excursion Vessel Mohican Conversion

In 1907, a new excursion vessel was commissioned and built of riveted steel to a design by naval architect J. W. Millard of New York for the Lake George Steamboat Company. She was built by the T.S. Marvel Company of Newburgh, New York, and named Mohican (II), in honor of the boat that preceded her.

Power was provided by two inverted, direct-acting, Fletcher-built compound steam engines which generated approximately 550 horsepower to her twin screws, giving her a cruising speed of 13 knots while burning four tons of coal a day. She was built at a cost of $65,000.

In 1945, the company was sold to a New York City Admiralty lawyer named Wilbur E. Dow Jr. for $35,000. After he purchased the company, Mr. Dow decided that the Mohican should be converted from steam power to diesel propulsion.

At the end of the 1946 season, the Mohican was laid up. Under the supervision of Sparkman & Stephens, the boilers and engines were taken out, four General Motors 671 diesel engines were installed, and a new superstructure was built to take advantage of the more compact power plant. The cost of the refit was $210,000.

She is still in operation today.

Principal Dimensions
LOA 117-0"
Beam 26-6"
Draft 6-0"

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TC Vessel Registration Update

A few weeks ago I wrote about the new regulations from Transport Canada regarding the registration of canoes & kayaks. Well, it seems that they have backpedaled (back paddled?) just a bit from the earlier registration requirements.

At the Transport Canada Procedures for Registration of Small Non-Pleasure Vessels in Canada web page, there is a link that reads "Note for human-powered non-pleasure vessels (e.g. canoes or kayaks)." Following the link brings you to a page which includes the following statement:

Note: Transport Canada is currently reviewing the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations for human-powered non-pleasure vessels and examining the feasibility of exemptions for certain groups, so that registration is sensible, efficient and fair for all Canadian boaters.

So, it would seem that everything is on hold for the moment until they get things sorted out.  It looks like the efforts of Ralph, Alan, and numerous other folks at the forums of MyCCR.com and WestCoastPaddler.com have been effective in bringing this issue and their concerns to the fore. They seem to have gotten the attention of not only the media, but also the Minister of Transportation. However, that doesnt mean that the issue is done with, not yet.

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