[1] It was designed to have a shallow draft, carry three people and their gear, and be light enough to be portaged by one man, the guide.
Typical dimensions are 16 feet long, with a 38 inch beam, and weighing 60 pounds.
[1] While superficially resembling a canoe in size and profile, its construction methods are very different and are one of its defining features.
[2] The stem and ribs are made from spruce, a wood which has a very good strength to weight ratio.
[3] Since 1962 the annual Willard Hanmer Guideboat Race has been held on the closest Sunday to the 4th of July in Saranac Lake.