Someone called Marianne has written from the USA to ask if anyone can tell her more about a kayak she acquired recently. It bears the brand Edo Western Corp, Salt Lake City, UT, Model#8102, Serial #148.
From the Wikipedia and elsewhere she has learned that company founder Earl Dodge Osborn developed floats for seaplanes, among other boats, but has not been able to find out anything about this particular product, including when it was made – Marianne suspects it was made in the 1940’s or 50’s, although the person who sold kayak said it dated from 1963?
I think it’s a wonderful period piece by the way – just look at those handles at bows and stern! As usual, if you can help, please either email me at gmatkin@gmail.com or use the comment link below.
Surely it is a unique craft today, but it is fiberglass which assumes there are others like it and it can't be older than '63. It's Art Deco influence is predominate and is classically re-represented by modern recreational kayaks. Obviously the precursor to a popular sport, straight out of Popular Mechanics. Good find, Marianne!
michael
Actually 1970-71, mfgred in Salt Lake City at Edo’s fiberglass division. They also made 2 other sailboats and a canoe.Seaplane floats had nothing to do with the boats. They were beat out of aluminum. I was the Dir. of Mkt @ Edo in that period and we bought a fiberglass mfgr. facility to augment our sonar product lines with non military products. Let me know if this was helpfull.
jimmilliard@hotmail.com
Have a EDO model 8102 ser# 100. Are there any archives as to how many were produced?