In 1956, a father bought a Willits canoe and set out to explore the waters of Puget Sound. Nearly 70 years later, his son is bringing that same canoe to the Wooden Boat Festival, sharing not just a beautifully preserved boat, but a family story that has spanned generations.

Willits #877 is a standard 17-foot cedar and mahogany canoe built by the legendary Willits Brothers. It still wears its original finish and has been exceptionally well cared for over the decades. Along with the canoe are both original 5-foot Willits paddles, the original wool rug, an unused outboard motor mount, carry sack, car-top carrier blocks and straps, and the original canvas dust cover.

Perhaps most remarkable is the paperwork. The original receipts and letters from Earl Willits himself document the purchase of the canoe and its accessories, creating a direct link to the craftsmen who built it nearly seven decades ago.

This canoe has been passed from father to son, and this year it will be on display at the Wooden Boat Festival. Enjoy this opportunity to visit not only an extraordinary example of Willits craftsmanship, but also the story of a family that cared for it long enough to share it with others.