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and Fuat Latif, who carefully build and restore guide-
boats just as they were in the late 1800's. They keep
this craft alive and help train and inspire young build-
ers, like myself, who care for an aging fleet of Adiron-
dack tradition.
It's on the few occasions when a guideboat is spotted
today that we can still appreciate its prowess. They still
handle stormy Adirondack lakes better than any canoe,
while carrying a pace only race-oriented boats can top.
The traditional ones are still lighter than all but mod-
ern Kevlar canoes, while still capable of carrying more
cargo weight than any canoe or kayak. They take a
skilled hand to care for and operate, but the reward of
gliding along the water they were designed on and for
is well worth it to those who keep the tradition alive.
Interested in seeing guideboats in action, or learn-
ing more about them? They can be found at gatherings
like the Willard Hanmer Memorial Guideboat and Ca-
noe Race, the Blue Mountain Lake No-Octane Regatta
(making a return this spring), Bolton Landing No-Oc-
tane Regatta, SUNY ESF Guideboat Reunion, and the
Adirondack Canoe Classic (90 -Miler).
Visit one of these and you'll be sure to witness a real
testament to tradition and paddling culture in our Ad-
irondack Park. t
Above: Nathaniel is the Resident Guideboat Builder at the ADK X
Museum. The unique nature of building guideboats takes special-
ized tools and lots of space.
Photo credit: Jonathan Zaharek
