Lake George Wooden Boat Restoration

I, Douglas B. Houghton, established Adirondack Boat Works in Bolton Landing, New York on Lake George, for the purpose of restoration of wooden boats. I am a native of St. Louis, Missouri and spent my summers in Bolton Landing, the birthplace of my great-grandmother, among the wonderful world of wooden boats. I spent numerous hours on my family's boat, the "St. Louis", a 36' electric launch (ELCO) built in 1896. I also spent a great amount of time with the mechanic for Champion World Cup Racer George Reis, owner of the "El Legarto" aka "Leaping Lizard". These experiences helped teach me the value of and instilled a great appreciation for fine wooden boats and the restoration and maintenance of them. Many of my best hours have been spent restoring these wonderful crafts.

I love taking a wooden boat that has been neglected, abandoned or just in need a bit of TLC, restoring her and bringing back her beauty as if she were brand new. I thoroughly enjoy all the hours that I spend stripping the old varnish and paint off of the wood, sanding and then rebuilding her layer by layer until she just shines. Removing the hardware, polishing it putting and it back on so that she is ready to be enjoyed for many hours again.