Beautiful Blue Hole

[RiverRatRon]

There is the most beautiful Blue Hole to be found on Chattanooga's Craigs List

[Canoe_Codger]

Indeed! It is one of the Merrimac outfitted boats. Amazing condition for it's age too if the seller is correct on the model and production year. It'll be a good deal for someone.

[Eric Esche]

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/boa/3908266437.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; $975 1986 Sunburst Solo model per the ad.

If you are into vintage AND tandem, here's a yellow Mad River Endurall with a full rain cover AND an Illiad paddle for $650 in Vermont. http://burlington.craigslist.org/boa/3791082093.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Appears to have been redone some as it has larger endplates than what mine came with, and mine had dropped seats. Also doubt that the gunnels are original as my 1972 model went through a few sets before I replaced them with Old Town aluminum gunnels. And yes, I know that the Endurall model did not go on sale until 1973. Mine was said to be one of the first dozen that Jim Henry used to campaign across the US promoting Royalex. I bought it 3rd hand from the guide at NOC who bought it after he dented it in the bottom of Big Bend Falls on the "upper" Chattooga while demoing it. Still has the original and probably the first set of kevlar skid plates installed after they took the dent out with a heat lamp. It's my cargo barge for camping on the Buffalo now and not exactly stock anymore, but still going strong.

Eric Esche

[Canoe_Codger]

Seller still has the CL ad up, but the canoe is now in it's new home in Memphis. And there is a neat story behind the canoe too.

[RiverRatRon]

Yeah , I sold the Blue Hole Sunburst that I owned just to drive to Chattanooga on my holiday to buy another Blue Hole Sunburst . But this one has the all wood trim that I have a weakness for . A friend of mine said that I have O C D which translates to Obsessive Canoe Disorder . lol And that's not even the neat story about the amazing 70 year old lady that has owned this canoe since it was new for almost 30 years . Truly a rare wonderful lady .

[Canoe_Codger]

Trust me, you aren't the only one around here with Obsessive Canoe Disorder. For instance the guy you sold your old Sunburst to...

But at least it doesn't involve little tupperware tubs... now those guys have a problem!


Michael

[Deuce]

Guys, I love stories like these. They're a big part of what makes paddling so special.

[Canoe_Codger]

Guys, I love stories like these. They're a big part of what makes paddling so special.

I've been crawling the web for some time trying to piece together a "history" of Blue Hole and the dates and specs on the various models. As one might imagine, Blue Hole did not have much of a web presence during it's original existance (closed in 1990), so what information I have found comes mostly from paddling forums like this one. I did recently find mention that the original company's Sunburst II's were formed only from burgandy Royalex and other colors (blue, red and yellow) were added circa 1993 under the new company owner, John Williamson, in Gordonsville, Virginia. John bought the molds and IP from Perception. When John closed his factory, the molds evidently went to Evergreen in Canada. They also seem to have closed since. Any additional information about the company, principals and models dates and specs would be appreciated. No, not writing a book... just a curious old Codger!

Michael