Kevin Martin Boatbuilder

12/11/2025

Just got one of the 10 canoes I built for the Wellsgate community in Jackson Miss. back in shape for the new owner. Built them sometime in the late 1980"s or early 90's.
The Norembega chapter of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association visited the shop recently and checked it out. Phasing out on repair work but still will build new ones.

10/20/2025

09/30/2025

Stepped out of my semiretirement to help a longtime client by putting the decks on his courting canoe. He had already canvassed it and will stain and varnish, then add the gold striping.

10/13/2024

Grandson Phil just finished his first good sized restoration on his own. A 16' Old Town. Stripped and refinished the interior planks and ribs. Tightened up the plank laps and re-bed the keel. Owners use it for fishing around NH.

07/21/2024

A 2nd canoe for the O'Donnell family is done and heading to a pond in the Lenox Mass area. Its 17' and likely a Kennebeck with replaced decks but not sure.

07/11/2024

The Wooden Canoe Heritage Association is highlighting courting canoes at their upcoming assembly next weekend. I won't be there but am still building courting canoes on original Charles River Kingsbury molds. Here are some examples of those built here over the years.

06/05/2024

Finished recanvassing this 17' Old Town Sponson canoe recently. Brother and sister Dave and Kathy will be enjoying it on Wentworth Lake in NH this summer. Have cut down considerably on my work load. A grandson has been helping and may be willing to take over things in the shop.

02/27/2024

Built this Pete Culler Butternut design in 1987. The original owner got older and has a bad back, so I bought it back from him about 3 years ago. Just resold the canoe and the new owner stripped the old varnish and paint then had me revarnish it. You might see it at the WCHA meet in NY this summer or in use on the Charles River near Newton Mass.

01/22/2024

The Wooden Canoe Heritage Association is highlighting Courting Canoes at their annual assembly this summer. Looks like someone took the name of the first courting canoe that I had in my shop for the flyer. Just missing the winking owl logo on the other end. Made a 5' scale model of it too. I have heard some stories about the days of courting canoes. Like "the finest families in Waltham started in a courting canoe".

12/16/2023

Last canoe of the year. 17’ Old Town OTCA heading to Lovell Lake in NH. Just repaired bands, patched canvas at tips, and painted outside. Only took on 2 more for over the winter.

12/03/2023

Finished up one of the restorations for the O'Donnell family. I restored it for the father 30 years ago. He recently passed and the family wanted this and another one back in good shape again. An 18' Old Town set up for 2 sails. Canvas was still good but needed repainting.