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Gift Certificates
Each year we participate in a few conspiracies. A wife will order a boat for her husband and say, "Make sure you don't call me at home." Or, "If a man answers, hang up." Sometimes it's a boyfriend or girlfriend, or a group of friends, or a son or a daughter, or a group of children buying the boat for a parent. Once a construction company once bought a boat as a retirement present for one of its employees. Sometimes our boats are anniversary presents or wedding presents. The boat below was a 50th birthday present. Brian Rooney broadcasts for ABCNews in Los Angeles. He and his family are able to spend part of their summer with their extended family on Lake George. Brian's life-long friend, Al Freihofer was the chief conspirator, along with Brian's wife, Cecile. The photo was us bringing Brian's boat the boat across the lake on the back of a speedboat. As we drew near, we put the boat into the water, Cecile sat in the stern and their two young daughters sat together in the bow seat. As we rounded the point the kids began singing, "Happy Birthday." In Washington DC there is the Bureau of Weights and Measures. If they kept a standard there for a stunned look on someone's face, it would be the look that was on Brian's face.
This is Brian taking Cecile for her first ride in their new boat.
The photo below was taken the day before Mother's Day. Dad and the twins went to the boatshow and found mom the perfect Mother's Day present.
Our instructions were to leave this boat in the barn and pull the doors tight. We always keep a roll of red ribbon in the truck, in case of emergency.
Drew ordered his boat ahead of time. And then, the day before coming to pick it up, he called and asked, "I know this is last minute......but do you have another, just like mine but in dark blue?" As you can see from her smile, we did. 
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| Dave, Steve & Crew, |
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I received one of your Kevlar Guideboats today as a birthday present from my family and I can not begin to tell you how happy I am! I have wanted one for years (I fell in love with them at first sight...Steve, in my book, you truly are a Genius and an Artist!) but something more pressing always came up. |
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I was kind of depressed about turning 40, but now...40...who cares?...I have one of your boats! Now the only thing I am depressed about is that it is February and I live in Upstate New York and open water is pretty darn scarce. |
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I know my family and I will get much enjoyment out of this boat for years to come and I hope to someday add one of your Cedar boats to our belongings. |
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My wife, Diana, has told me that you all went out of your way to accommodate her last minute request. I appreciate this and I am impressed. That kind of dedication, commitment and work ethic seems to be sorely lacking these days and it is refreshing to come across. With your permission I I would like to stop in on a Friday afternoon this Summer and share some beer with you all...to show my appreciation. Just let me know your preferences and quantity needed! |
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Best regards, Aaron |
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We received the following e-mail from Carol Hasse, owner of Port Townsend Sails in Port Townsend, Washington. "Hello, guide boat folks. I have a special request. We are approaching the 25th anniversary of Mikaya working for us as a sailmaker. In recognition of her dedication we would like to buy her one of your Vermont Packboats. Is there any chance you could bring a bright red one to the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival? Of course, this has to be kept a secret. Thank you, Carol" This photo shows Carol presenting Mikaya with her boat....
Launching the boat in Puget Sound.
And Mikaya's first pull on the oars.
The smile on MIkaya's face pretty much tells how that surprise worked. If you would like us to set up a surprise for you, we'll make a gift-certificate or send a photo of the boat. Or, if time and space allows, we'll deliver the boat itself. A note about surprise presents .....try not to take us by surprise. Place your order early so we can get the boat (or a token representing the boat) to the intended recipient in time. And, yes, we know, if a man answers, (or if a woman answers, if she's the one getting the boat) we'll hang up.
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