Wooden lapstrake rowboat with black flag displayed on grass near waterfront estate and marina.

VDCB Canoe

2025

Launch Year

Custom wooden canoe named Vandam displayed at outdoor event with paddle and black sail flag.

A Hand-Built Canoe for a Seaplane

This canoe is 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.

This project is obviously far smaller than a typical Van Dam project but in no way less demanding.

This beautiful and functional wooden boat was built with the same engineering rigor and hand finish as any boat that leaves the shop. It’s surprising that it might spend much of its life high above the water before it’s ever on it.

Full Gallery

Man in Van Dam jacket gestures while standing beside wooden boat hull with black sail in workshop.

Wooden lapstrake rowboat with black flag displayed on grass near waterfront estate and marina.

Wooden kayak with red backpack and paddle displayed on grass, showing crafted hull and perforated seat details.

Orange wooden boat interior with polished varnish finish, single seat, and storage compartment visible in boatyard.

Close-up of wooden boat hull interior showing varnished wood planking and perforated footrest detail in workshop.