Inspired by the beautiful shape of traditional wooden sailboats like James Alden’s Malabar series, I was bold enough, ten years ago, to say, “I can do that. But, maybe I’ll should with something I can craft in my garage.”  

I bought Nick Schade’s book the “Strip Built Sea Kayak” (the ultimate authority of the subject) and gave it a try.

Three cedar strip kayaks and four SUPs later, I’m still having fun crafting custom wood kayaks, SUPS, and canoes suitable for rivers, lakes, and coastal adventures.

Purdy - Attractive. Not me! The kayaks, SUPs, and canoes I build are pretty… (or purdy, depending on where you’re from.)

Fine - Woodworking, fiberglass, brush, and epoxy work with a delicate touch, experience, and an eye for detail.

Light Craft - small, lightweight, paddle craft for use on rivers, lakes, and coastal adventures.

The kayaks, SUPs, and canoes I built take a ridiculous amount of time to complete. I mill planks of raw lumber into strips, mill beads and coves on each strip, glue the strips together around a form, sand, lay fiberglass, apply epoxy, sand, varnish, sand some more.

• SUPs take 3-4 months to complete. 

• Kayaks take 7-9 months to complete.

• Cedar strip canoes take 5-7 months.

Text “Craft” to 503.522.5001 to commission your own custom built kayak, SUP, or canoe.

I’ll call you as soon as I’m done sanding the top of my stand up paddle board and we’ll figure out how to get you on the water.