Skin-on-frame boatbuilding has been around for ten thousand years, and we are proud to be a part of that tradition. (Even if we don’t hunt walrus out of ours.) We have beat the bejeezus out of our prototypes, paddling hundreds of miles of rivers and lakes: the lengths of the Upper and Middle James Rivers, through the Adirondacks, Vermont and New Hampshire. Fighting wind, muddy portages and bug-infested muskeg, and smacking rocks in rapids has given us the necessary experience to fine-tune a boat to fit your paddling style. Steam-bent ribs of local white oak and pine gunwales and stringers are wrapped in a heavy ballistic nylon to make a canoe that’s light, nimble and strong.
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Why a skin-on-frame?
SOFs are lightweight (40-45lbs), nimble, attractive, and much more eco-friendly than plastic. They are imminently customizable - we build each one by eye over sawhorses. You can get 90% of the performance of a top-end gelcoat/kevlar canoe for 50% of the price, and have something unique and personalized to boot.
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How are they made?
We specialize in solo canoes. Beginning with discussing what you’re used to paddling, where you’re paddling, and your experience in canoes, we can design a boat that works for you. We build in-house, with hull shape, sheer, depth, rocker, and beam all customizable depending on where you plan to enjoy your canoe. Ribs are bent by eye and lashed, not glued, making a strong, flexible hull.
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Where can I take a skin-on-frame canoe?
Skin-on-frames are best suited to ponds, lakes, and gentle rivers. I have personally paddled through class 2s and two nominal class 3s, but by and large - don’t go chasing waterfalls. They are tougher than they look; in well over a thousand paddling miles, I have never had a tear bigger than a pinhole - easily avoided if you’re not dumb enough to bounce through rock gardens. We always love talking boats, too, so if you build canoes yourself, come down and talk shop!
