Beyond the expected: Van Dam’s Custom Woodworking and One-of-One Commissions

Every now and then, a request comes in that falls outside the traditional boundaries of boatbuilding—projects that call for the same level of craftsmanship and problem-solving, applied in unexpected ways.

In 2025, two such commissions found their way to the shop.

Hull #65 — A Hand-Built Canoe for a Seaplane

Hull #65 is, technically, a canoe. It’s also one of the more unusual builds in Van Dam’s nearly five-decade history.

The commission: a hand-built wooden canoe designed to be strapped to the float of a seaplane. It needed to withstand wind, spray, and constant exposure in flight—while looking like something worth flying with.

Far smaller than a typical Van Dam project. No less demanding.

The result is a sleek, functional piece built with the same engineering rigor and hand finish as any boat that leaves the shop. It will spend much of its life high above the water before it’s ever on it.

A Custom Mahogany Desk Built Around a Memory

The second commission was a custom-built desk designed to mirror the transom of a specific boat—one that holds deep personal meaning for its owner.

African mahogany. Flowing lines that echo the curves of the original hull. A hand-painted, gold-leafed name across the back.

It blurs the line between furniture and fine art, bringing a piece of the water into everyday life. The kind of object that makes people stop and ask what it is.

We Accept a Limited Number of Commissions

Not every one-of-a-kind idea becomes a Van Dam project. Our primary commitment remains the custom wooden boats we build—one or two per year, each one a multi-year collaboration.

But when a challenge falls somewhere between a boat and something that’s never quite been built before, and when the client brings the same level of seriousness to the process, we take notice.

If you have an idea — we’re listening. Contact us to start the conversation.