Custom built boats:

Shearwater Boats Specializes in building unique custom canoes and kayaks. All the custom boats I have built have been designed to meet the owner's needs. We can design and build special features from an integral rudder to a binocular storage hatch to electric outboard motor.

We will gladly build any boat you wish from our plans or yours. This Outer Island kayak pictured above built for Dick Gamble of Essex, Connecticut, from plans by Jay Babina We can design a kayak to suit your paddling style and aesthetic senses.

Veneer inlays:

All our boats are decorated in some way, with distinctive strip patterns and veneer inlays. We use veneer to create birds or other graphics to bring out the character of the boat. When ordering a custom boat you can choose the artwork for your boat

Construction Techniques:

If you are want a boat with the maximum eye appeal, strip construction is for you. Our strip built kayaks are made using different species of wood to create distinctive patterns so that the finished product is both aesthetically pleasing, as well as comfortable and durable. Our hatches are constructed flush with the deck. This eliminates any unwanted spray, and creates a tight leak proof seal. The whole kayak, inside and out, is covered with fiberglass to protect the wood from the elements which produces a strong, durable, low maintenance boat.

If you love the look of wood but want to spend less consider or mahogany plywood kayaks We also plywood build kayaks using the stitch and glue technique using Lloyds certified Okoume mahogany marine plywood. The plywood is cut into panels, stitched with copper wire and glued with epoxy and fiberglass. The combination of epoxy-fiberglass and plywood makes a lightweight, tough boat which is also beautiful to look at.

Updated on January 9, 2008

by Shearwater Boats
Please send questions or comments to:

or call (207) 386 - 0129 or write to us at:

83 Captain Perry Drive
Phippsburg, Maine 04562