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By the 1890’s, Lake George boat builders Wudman Hall Sexton of Hague and F.R. Smith and George Granger of Bolton Landing were producing a refined pulling boat that has become celebrated as the Lake George rowboat. This distinguished craft became a highlight of summer life on the “Queen of American Lakes.” Fishing guides, hotels and camps used them, and summer guests favored the craft for competitive sport rowing. On a still evening, a favorite recreation of the young patrons was to hire a small steamer to tow a string of candle-lit Lake George rowboats around the lake, the musically inclined passengers providing entertainment by singing and playing the ukulele. The world-famous Adirondack guide-boat was not always the double-ended semi-canoe we are familiar with. Prior to 1870, the true guide-boat archetype was documented as delicate lap strake planked watercraft with a narrow, square stern. Between 1874 and 1882, square-ended guide-boat and double-ended guide-boat were found side-by-side throughout the larger Adirondack lakes. The boat builders on Lake George adopted this early Adirondack guide-boat style for a boat well suited to their waters. The occupation of the Lake George rowboat developed similarly to that of the Adirondack guide-boat. Initially a workboat and then a pleasure craft, it differs from its mountain relations in not being as portable. Larger size and fuller lines result in greater stability and seaworthiness for a large lake.
This unique history and strong regional connection made the Lake George rowboat an obvious reproduction choice. In keeping with the original builders spirit, we apply genuine select hardwoods to give a rich finish and to maintain the crafts beauty under hard service. The solid bronze hardware is cast directly from a collection of original pieces. The general construction is the very best, based on time-proven methods aimed at performance, durability and heirloom-class quality. More than 300 hours go into building this handsome 16' boat, built by traditional methods. We offer the boat trimmed in African mahogany, black cherry or white oak. The stems, frames, keel and transom knee are of white oak, and the planking of Western red cedar. Bronze and copper fasteners are used throughout. The frames are 9/16" x 1/2", spaced 5 ½” apart at centers. The planking is 1/4” thick, copper riveted to frames. The third boat is already off of the form and we expect to build at least two more this summer. We probably will build no more than six a year. The Smith-Granger Lake George rowboats start at $ 14,500.00 and we are taking deposits.
Lake George Rowboat 130 Lbs 16' Long 44" beam
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Contact InformationBerkshire Wooden Boat
Send mail to berkwood@verizon.net
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