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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