Vermont Magazine Summer 2020 Summer 2020 | Seite 13

When Adirondack-style guideboats were first developed in
the mid 1800s, they were designed as sturdy transport
boats that could move hunters and fishermen quickly
through the Adirondack mountain lakes with all of their gear on
board.
In the latter part of the 19th century, the tourism industry in the
Adirondack Lakes region was booming. Wealthy vacationers would
journey to the mountains of upstate New York to escape from the
stresses of city life. Large lakefront estates were built where
vacationing elites could enjoy the breathtaking scenery up close.
Many of these tourists flocked to the Adirondacks with the dream
of going on a rejuvenating fishing or hunting voyage through the
bucolic mountain wilderness. Local game guides were hired by
visitors to serve as knowledgeable experts about local terrain and
wildlife and to provide comfortable transport on expeditions
through the mountains and lakes. In order to create a pleasant
experience for their affluent and selective clients, game guides
needed a boat that was durable, efficient, and light enough to carry.
The Adirondack guideboat was a natural choice—it was a stable
and speedy vessel that combined the best attributes of rowboats
and canoes, and cut through the water like a hot knife through
butter even in windy conditions.
At the time, the road systems in the Adirondacks were
underdeveloped, and the mountain roads that did exist were
treacherous, unpaved, and ill suited for travel by horse and
carriage. Boats played a crucial role in the transportation networks
within the Adirondack region. More than a century later, the
owners of Adirondack Guideboat in Ferrisburgh, Vermont are
continuing the legacy of utilitarian boat craftsmanship. They have
taken full advantage of present-day technological advances to
maximize production, and they successfully adapted to contemporary
challenges as the leisure boating industry continues to evolve.
With more than 40 years of combined boatbuilding experience,
Adirondack Guideboat’s owners Ian and Justin Martin have
developed an innovative way to integrate traditional boatmaking
techniques with modern production procedures and equipment.
In doing so, they’ve created a hybrid of old and new build methods,
resulting in a product that is both strikingly beautiful and durable
for years to come.
Ian and Justin got their start in the boatmaking industry working
at Mad River Canoe in Waitsfield, Vermont after graduating high
school. The Martin brothers were intrigued by learning a skilled
trade and working with their hands. They worked hard, demonstrated
initiative, and quickly rose through the ranks of the company.
According to Justin, by the age of 19, they were department
heads on the production floor of Mad River Canoe’s facility. During
their time at Mad River Canoe, they became experts at fast-paced
boat production using Royalex vinyl composite materials. When
Mad River Canoe moved down to North Carolina, they offered the
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