Welcome! This is a blog about the Adirondack guideboat. It includes whatever strikes that author’s fancy. For example, you might follow his progress building such an iconic craft, or go along on a 90 mile guideboat race, or learn about some particularly interesting person or happening involving these magnificent wooden boats. Enjoy.
Gunwales-a structural key
“A fifteen foot ship that weighs only sixty pounds and carries a thousand pounds of load over rough water; which
Read more.
New Shoes!
My boat has moved along so that it will soon really look like a guideboat.  I’ll explain as I go.
Read more.
Round 8 The last one!
At last I have arrived at the final round of planking my guideboat.  It seems that it has been a
Read more.
Planking Round 7- a nightmare
I expected the seventh round of planking to be easier than those before it.  It was not to be.  This
Read more.
Floatin’ Richard’s boat
My friend Richard had a big problem.  His most treasured possession, his guideboat, leaked.  And not just a small leak,
Read more.
Are work rowboats still in use?
Fran and I are just back from Morocco.  Morocco is a country in North Africa, Part of it borders on
Read more.
This year’s 90 Miler
As you might remember, the Adirondack 90 miler runs from Old Forge. NY to Saranac Lake in 3 days.  It
Read more.
Guideboat returns home to Long Lake.
I have learned that the Adirondack peoples are especially fond of family, town, and country.  This is a story of
Read more.
Fred Burns-The last of the Long Lake Traditional Guideboat Builders
I came to know of guideboat builder Fred Burns through my friend Richard Dechene.  Fred was Richard’s grandfather, who Richard
Read more.
John Homer-New Age Guideboat Builder
John Homer is a good friend of mine.  We met while I was an interpreting at the Museum for Allison
Read more.