Overview

For half a century Earl and Floyd Willits built some of the world's finest canoes, first in Tacoma, Washington, then on Day Island, right off of Puget Sound in Seattle. Turning out approximately twenty canoes a year, carefully logging and numbering each one, the brothers emphasized quality and design rather than volume. Willits Brothers Canoes earned a reputation that enabled the tiny company to compete successfully with businesses much larger, leaving a name and legacy which is still admired by canoe aficionados today. Carefully researched and documented, this combination biography and company history tells the story of Earl and Floyd Willits and their unique canoe company. Beginning with their family's westward migration from Iowa, it follows the brothers as they set about starting the business that would become their lifelong work. Close attention is given to the Willits' business management and construction techniques as well as their personal lives. Interviews with surviving contemporaries and family members add a personal dimension to the Willits' story. Appendices include a detailed company logbook, instructions from the Willits brothers on various areas of canoe maintenance, a price list of canoes from 1928 to 1964 and a list of serial numbers and dates of manufacture. In addition, a price comparison with the Old Town Canoe Company, a listing of museums exhibiting a Willits Brothers canoe and various plans of Willits canoes are provided. Contemporary photographs from the Willits family collection are also included.

Full Product Details

Author:   Patrick F. Chapman
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 17.70cm , Height: 1.60cm , Length: 25.50cm
Weight:   0.485kg
ISBN:  

9780786425730

ISBN 10:   0786425733
Pages:   272
Publication Date:   30 November 2006
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock  
The supplier is currently out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out for you.

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Reviews

great...reading...well researched --WaveLengthMagazine.com engaging book --Wooden Canoe much to recommend...engaging...fascinating --WoodenBoat.

Much to recommend...engaging...fascinating. -- WoodenBoat WoodenBoat

Author Information

Patrick F. Chapman is a professional fish biologist for Washington State and the proprietor of McFarland Lake Canoe Company where he restores Willits Brothers canoes. He lives in Olympia, Washington.

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