Buffalo Canoes

[Pete134]

I have a Blue Hole OCA. I am trying to replace a thwart. In the past I ordered parts from Buffalo Canoes. Are they out of business? When I call, the number is no good. If they are out of business, does anyone know where I would find this part.

Thanks,

Pete Shaw

[Deuce]

There's a Facebook page called My Buffalo River. If you're not among the Facebook averse you can ask to join the group. Once approved you can reach out to a member named Brian Pruitt who will probably be able to help you. Pretty sure I heard him say there are parts available.

[Yarbrough]

Ozark Mountain Trading Co can fix you up. They are in Garfield. Just had them change out junky plastic seats for nice wood cane's and had them put the lowering kit's on them. They changed out the thwarts too. They took a old Old Town and fancied it up for my nephew's Christmas present. Looks so great my other nephew is angling to get his canoe from Georgia to NWA real bad. Nice folks over there.

[Yarbrough]

Okieboater you wanna jump in here? I think this is gonna be a mail order thing and you always have great links.

[Deuce]

Ozark Mountain Trading Co can fix you up. They are in Garfield. Just had them change out junky plastic seats for nice wood cane's and had them put the lowering kit's on them. They changed out the thwarts too. They took a old Old Town and fancied it up for my nephew's Christmas present. Looks so great my other nephew is angling to get his canoe from Georgia to NWA real bad. Nice folks over there.

Since he asked specifically about Buffalo I assumed he was looking for one to match the OEM aluminum thwarts but that might not be the case. If not that would simplify things considerably.

[Pete134]

Yeah, I'm looking for the aluminum 3rd thwart. I contacted Ozark Mountain and they only have wooden thwarts. He suggested Gordon at the Buffalo Hotel, I called them and the Mrs. said they were going to start manufacturing in April and she wasn't going to go down and see if they have thwarts. She said I could call back in April. Well that means I miss a month of good ww paddling. I may need to make my own, but I don't really know how.

[David C]

Your local machine shop might be able to help you out or at least have a solution for a temporary fix.

[Deuce]

Yeah, I'm looking for the aluminum 3rd thwart. I contacted Ozark Mountain and they only have wooden thwarts. He suggested Gordon at the Buffalo Hotel, I called them and the Mrs. said they were going to start manufacturing in April and she wasn't going to go down and see if they have thwarts. She said I could call back in April. Well that means I miss a month of good ww paddling. I may need to make my own, but I don't really know how.

Okay, that was my guess. I don't think you'll ever get one by asking the Gordons and I'm not surprised to hear about your encounter. I'll just stop there. I do think Brian Pruitt is your best bet for a Buffalo thwart, but I think your bestest bet is to take the boat to an aluminum fabricator and ask him/her to fab you something up. My guess is it would be quick and cheap. I would take the boat though so they can see how it would fasten, where it would go, etc. Heck, they'd probably even slap it in there for you. That is what I would do. Good luck!

[Roger]

What's the measurement on the third thwart? I have one but not sure of the length. Will check it when I get home.

[David C]

Not sure where you're located but if you plan on paddling the Piney or Illionous Bayou C & C Machinery in Russellville is who I would call. I've used them several times with my business and they are good people. Plus one of their main guys is a paddler and could get the measurements for you in advance and would probably enjoy helping a fellow paddler.

[okieboater]

Here is the outfitter I use for canoe parts

https://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/canoe-gear-custom

If you get to Ely MN on a Boundary trip, this is the place to check for information and any thing needed for your canoe. They have a end of season sale of their rental gear and canoes that is very interesting. Lots of maps as well.

Chocolate Moose used to be part of the family was sold some time ago, but according to a bud who was there last season still good for that before or after hamburger and shake treat.

[Roger]

Pete, found the thwart and measured it at 32 inches. Aluminum tubing squeezed flat on ends and drilled with one center hole for screws.

[okieboater]

Over the years I have owned several Blue Hole Canoes. Great canoes and the original Blue Hole with a block of Styrofoam in the center was the hot WW boat in the Southeast streams I grew up on.

Thanks to Roger for the measurements. If it were me, I would find a suitable tube, use a vise to flatten the ends and go from there. Do a duckduckgo search for tubing.

The best place I have found for various metal parts is The Yard in Wichita KS. This is a surplus every thing from Wichita's long time aircraft builders. If you are ever in Wichita, this is a good spot to check out. You name it, it is probably some where in this tool, surplus, metal etc home builders dream.

[bearridge]

Love my old Blue Hole OCA. I keep it in Harrison at a pal's house. Back in the 80's, it was the whitewater canoe.

regards
bearridge

It may be that the race is not always to the swift, or the battle to the strong -- but that is the way to bet.  Damon Runyon