Adirondack guideboat

[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.

An Adirondack guideboat elevated on sawhorses
An Adirondack guideboat