by Dennis Caprio 

Senior Editor

     The moon and casts a mysterious veil over the face of your companion, seated across from you in the passenger’s chair. An owl hoots. Your oars gurgle. Your cane seat sighs as you lean into the power stroke. A mahogany tray sits on the floorboards right forward of your feet, a rattan picnic basket beside it. Your companion bends to pour champagne, so you ease off a bit on the next power stroke.

     She raises the glass and smiles, catching the moonbeam with her eyes. You drop the oars, letting them float silently, secure in their pinned oarlocks. The boat glides unattended. True to form for Adirondack guide boats, it stays on course while you make a modest toast. These boats evolved on the Adirondack lakes to take ‘sports’ from the city into the wilds of upstate New York. They are light (70 lbs, or so), fast, sea-kindly and remarkably stable, especially as the payload sinks the boat lower on its lines. In cedar strip and epoxy resin: expect to spend $12,000 - $14,000, depending on length and options.