Although it is true that you can build a far superior boat for the
same money that it would cost to buy one, pride is possibly the
ultimate reason. In 1985, while driving down the
Alaskan-Canadian highway, I was lucky enough to catch a
conversation between two truck drivers talking about the boat tied
to the top of the blue pickup truck. They were talking about my
boat! I couldn't give up the opportunity to just listen for a few
minutes before I couldn't take it any more and keyed up the
Microphone to let them know I was listening. Before that
conversation was over, I was offered $1,000 dollars for my river
canoe, and although I sure could have used the money, I simply
could not part with the first Wood strip canoe I had ever built.
Since then I have parted with Many, but that first one is still in the
family.
Today, that canoe is almost 30 years old, looks as good as the day
it was first varnished and is paddled by my nephew. Countless
other boats have come and gone from the shop since that first
"stripper" but I still stop in the garage when I visit my brother to
make sure it is being taken care of.
If that story is not reason enough then how about this; you will
undoubtedly get a stronger, better looking, customized boat in a
design that would be near impossible to find in a store. It will be
far less expensive than to buy a boat in the same class. It will
paddle well and last for decades. This boat won't just be a boat
you bought, it will be your boat. If you are a parent then build one
with your son or daughter. It will be a memory they will always
treasure.
My father knew nothing about building boats or anything else for
that matter, but one sunny Saturday in 1974, we started on what
would become the first boat I ever built.
Start your memories here !
same money that it would cost to buy one, pride is possibly the
ultimate reason. In 1985, while driving down the
Alaskan-Canadian highway, I was lucky enough to catch a
conversation between two truck drivers talking about the boat tied
to the top of the blue pickup truck. They were talking about my
boat! I couldn't give up the opportunity to just listen for a few
minutes before I couldn't take it any more and keyed up the
Microphone to let them know I was listening. Before that
conversation was over, I was offered $1,000 dollars for my river
canoe, and although I sure could have used the money, I simply
could not part with the first Wood strip canoe I had ever built.
Since then I have parted with Many, but that first one is still in the
family.
Today, that canoe is almost 30 years old, looks as good as the day
it was first varnished and is paddled by my nephew. Countless
other boats have come and gone from the shop since that first
"stripper" but I still stop in the garage when I visit my brother to
make sure it is being taken care of.
If that story is not reason enough then how about this; you will
undoubtedly get a stronger, better looking, customized boat in a
design that would be near impossible to find in a store. It will be
far less expensive than to buy a boat in the same class. It will
paddle well and last for decades. This boat won't just be a boat
you bought, it will be your boat. If you are a parent then build one
with your son or daughter. It will be a memory they will always
treasure.
My father knew nothing about building boats or anything else for
that matter, but one sunny Saturday in 1974, we started on what
would become the first boat I ever built.
Start your memories here !
Why should you build?
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