After a total of three days in the mold,
the boat is ready to be taken out. Using a
pressurized air hose and padded vice grips,
they deftly work the boat free from the
mold without damaging it. Next, they use
clamps and epoxy glue to attach wooden
reinforcing edges to the sides and ends of
the boat. They then add wooden floorboards,
seat bases, and seat backs. The hull
and protective skid-plates on the bottom
of the boat are coated with an additional
black gel coat, and the boatmaking process
is then complete.
The most popular boat made by the
Martin brothers is the “Dory,” a sturdy and
comfortable 14-foot-long model that provides
a smooth and stable ride. Modeled
after the original wooden guideboats, they
also make a 15-foot traditional Adirondack-style
guideboat. Even lighter, for solo
adventures, is their 12-foot, 37-pound
pack-boat.
While the Martin brothe
fully expanded Adirond
Kevlar boat operation to
increasing demand, they
perfected and streamlin
boatbuilding process. Th
process begins with the
they build upside down
shop frames, using wood
custom cut in their work
to Ian, “We start with th
board at the center of th
add curved ribs made of
on the side to form the b
The ribs are curved thro
steam-bending, where h
is used to soften the piec
This creates the form for
boat.”
They then add the spruc
the boat on the front end
structure of the boat is c
8 VERMONT MAGAZINE