Gary
I am a traditional guideboat buiulder in Saranac Lake. I learned the techniques after working for several summers in Carl Hathaway's shop. He purchased the original Willard Hanmer shop and was trained by him. Carl is one of the finest men I have ever met. He gives of his advice freely and it is always a pleasure to visit with him. Ralph Morrow was also a great help to me.
I have built several boats copied from Vassar in Bloomingdale. (12,14 and 16 foot) The 12 footer I built on his design with white cedar weighs about 35 # which is remarkable when compared to the 12 ft Radison which also weighs 35# The 14footer was the worst boat I have ever used and I still do not know why. Just know that I will NEVER build another!
My favorite all around both beautiful and practical is a 16 ft copied from a Waren Cole design. It is just about the most stable and forgiving boat that I have ever used.
Working in Carl's shop I had the pleasure of checking several different builders design(Grant,Parson,Vassar,Rice,Hanmer and Hathaway). From my limited experience it is the best.
White spruce works well. I usually find a local lumbering project and seek out the lumberman and ask that he leave about a foot of the stump above ground. It often takes several min to get him to agree as 12" high stump tends to tip pover skidders. Digging out anything in the Adirondacks is often discouraging especially in black fly season. You have to really love your project.
I have patterns for several Vassar and Cole design which I will share with anyone interested. I also heve a written guide for the construction of the Warren Cole that I will share. I am glad to share my knowledge without compensation as an expression of my gratitude to Carl Hathaway and Ralph Morrow.
July 1,2012 should be a guideboat dreamer's wish as a large variety of builders will be present.
See the posting by John Michne on this site. John is a very skilled and helpful builder and has written a book on his technique. He has graceously shared many ideas with me.
I am currently building an all cedar Cole boat and will post pictures of my progress on this site.
I wish I could find a source of clear,quarter sawn, northern white cedar. Any ideas out there?
Good luck to all.
Joe Spadaro
Saranac Lake
spadaro3240@roadrunner.com