It’s Time Again To Play Our Favorite Woody Boater Game Show! What Izit?

Exibit A

Welcome to another episode of “What izit?” We would like to welcome today’s contestant. John Garncarz, John joins us from beautiful Pennsylvania.. So John, tell us a little something about what you have here.


Thanks Woody, I recently purchased this old wooden boat for restoration and am unable to determine the make.  It was purchased in Buffalo, NY and the previous owner said he thought it was of Canadian origin.  The registration calls it a 1937 Irwin, but I can’t confirm that.  There is a 1951 Chrysler M46 Ace under the hood.  I have been searching the web for several months and have posted her on the forums, to no avail.   I would greatly appreciate it if you have a look at the attached photos and let me know if you can ID this boat, or pass it along to someone who could.

Sure thing John,and thanks for playing What Izit? Now John, before we start here.. I see your last name sounds like you are into Carz?

Ha,ya, gee Woody… I have never heard that one before… maybe I should change my name to Garnboatz…

Oh you will John, Oh you will… So ladies and gentlemen, have at it.. Mr Garnboatz needs to confirm if its an Irwin or something like it.

There ya have it Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for playing WHAT IZ IT! and thanks to our contestent, Mr Garnboatz!

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17 Responses to “It’s Time Again To Play Our Favorite Woody Boater Game Show! What Izit?”

  1. This might be Rick

    Don’t know what it is but it looks like there is lots of freeboard for just a small lakes boat. That boot stripe near the bow has to be off I think giving the boat a more unusual look that it would otherwise. Then again, what do I know.

  3. Kerry Plrice

    Canadian or not, most unusual narrow topsides planking. Interior looks more 50’s than 30’s.
    Can’t place this one.

    • Randy

      When did they start using square hed screws in Canadian Boats? I had a couple early 60’s with them. If it was earlier it might help identify it .

  4. John

    There is what looks like a home made brass plate that says “Schur Marine Industries Ltd.” Hope this helps.

  5. Dan

    Boat on the header looks like a varnished Century Raven….as for the other I have no clue.

    • Dan

      Actually I’m going to go ahead and say it IS a varnished Century Raven. If my memory serves me correctly, they were made out of mahogany rather than the marine ply that the majority of other lapstrakes were made of.

      • Frank Miklos

        Not a Century Raven, even though there was one that had natural finish… Does not look like lapstrake it looks like narrow planking..,. It could be a Penn Yan … I think Peteroboro also made a few inboards with narrow planking… .

  6. RiverRat

    Hey if that is an Irwin it is not a Canada made boat but a very close guess. I believe that it is from Henderson Harbor NY halfway between Oswego and Clayton. There is a beautiful Lyman lapstrake knockoff on Antique Boat America made by Irwin. It is a big lake, TI boat.

  7. Mark

    I sincerely hope the waterline is just overcompensation..
    Sort of looks like the hiked-up pants on an 80 year old!

  8. Al Benton

    A gentleman named Cliff Padgett built similar strip planked boats in the 30’s and early 40’s. His primary interest was in building and racing hydroplanes and other racing boats. His shop was in Quincy, Illinois.

  11. John

    So you are saying it IS an Irwin and it was made in Henderson Harbor? Not that I don’t believe you, but why do you think that? I have been tryng to run down any and all leads form this post. Lot’s of good guesses but they all seem to fall apart when I start looking into the 1 5/8″ planking aspect. Thanks.

  12. RiverRat

    John I checked Antique Boat America and the Irwin that was on the site and in their showroom is gone with no trace. I would try the Antique Boat Museum and submit a research request for Irwin boats for more information. You might even try the friendly folks at Antique Boat America.