Size is the most important issue in selecting a boat. A boat that is too small or too large is of limited use to its owner. As familiar as we are with our own boats, if you are unsure as to size...give us a call, we're good at figuring these things out.

SIZE

We don't have exact rules of thumb...but the following questions may be useful in considering what size boat to buy:

          What are you going to be doing with your boat?

           How many people will typically be in your boat?

           Do you live on the water?

           Are you going to be car-topping your boat? 

           Will you be having help?

           How old are you?

           How big are you?

           How strong are you?

           What kind of water are you going to be going on?

        The answers to these questions describe what size boat is appropriate for you. If you're a large man going out fishing with a friend...probably one of our larger boats is best, our Kevlar or cedar guideboat or the Vermont Fishing Dory. The same man going out solo might consider a smaller boat.   

       A 120 lb woman going out by yourself? Probably you'd prefer one of our 12-ft boats. But even that isn't true all the time. On one occasion, a tiny woman, weighing perhaps 100-lbs, who was perhaps in her early 60's, was torn between our 12-ft Kevlar packboat and the 15-ft Kevlar guideboat. She rowed both boats, switching from one to the other. She preferred how the larger boat moved on the water, but she liked how much easier it was to move the smaller boat on land.  

        She asked our advice. We thought for a moment, asked a few questions...and....since she wasn't going to be car-topping the boat or lifting it by herself, and since she lived right on the water.....we suggested she purchase the boat she preferred rowing. Which she did. 

       We don't always suggest going larger, sometimes a smaller boat is more correct. A man in his eighties recently called to order a 15-ft Kevlar boat. After some discussion we discovered his age and that he is 5' 6".  We suggested that a 12-ft boat might suit him better. (If he lived on the water we wouldn't have been so concerned, but car-topping the 15-ft boat solo would be a bit of a chore for a man his age and size.)

       On another occasion, a man wanted to get one of our 15-ft Kevlar guideboats for his wife, himself and their two children, ages 5 and 8. He asked if the 15 would be large enough for them. We thought for a bit and then said, "It would probably be fine for now. But in a year or two it will be too small."

       Then we suggested....why not get two of the smaller boats?  It could be 2 parents in one boat, two kids in the other; or parent/child, parent/child. Or each of the kids could go out, each in his own boat. We suggested they come down to the shop and try the boats on the water. 

       Which is what they did.  After a good bit of testing and conferring, they decided on two of the packboats, bright red. Which we found quite surprising.  He later explained ..."My wife was not at all interested in being responsible for a boat and a child...until she tried the small boat. That was all it took. Rather than cramming everyone into a station wagon, we got two sports cars. "

HULL MATERIAL

        80% of our business is our line of Kevlar and fiberglass boats. 10% are our cedar guideboats. 10% are our cedar guideboat kits. Our wooden boats cost approximately 3 times what our Kevlar boats costs. So, for some, the only issue is which size Kevlar boat, and then they move on to color, trim options and accessories.

      For others, it is wood or nothing. The differences are primarily aesthetic. The handling characteristics are nearly identical. The Kevlar boat is more durable. If the boat is going to be really slammed around, the Kevlar is the better selection. Some families own several of our boats. Dad and grandpa use the wooden boat, the rest of the family use the Kevlar. 

KEVLAR/FIBERGLASS

 To order, click here

 To order, click here