Adirondack Guideboat Construction, Restoration, and Custom Cabinet Maker

Who: Harold M. Austin, Jr. (Bunny) born in Long Lake in 1928, enlisted in the USMC in 1951 for 20 years. After a field commission he became a pilot for 17 years flying aerial photographic F8U1P reconnaissance jets until he retired in 1971.

What: He is a 5th generation boat builder who has primarily concentrated on Guideboat building and restoration since his second retirement. He also builds custom kitchen cabinets.

Why: His passion is working with wood with a special interest in the traditional Adirondack Guideboats. He uses 18 patterns inherited from his Father’s and Grandfather’s boat shops.

Where: Bunny built his first Adirondack Guide-boat in Harlowe, NC in 1964. He retired out of the Marine Corps and returned to Long Lake in 1971.

When: Built 6 Adirondack Guideboats at the Adirondack Museum 1972-1978. Then he left the Museum in 1978 when he entered into Wesleyan Church Study and Ministry. In 1995 he retired from the Ministry.

How: All boats are handcrafted using traditional band saw and hand tools and constructed on a stock designed by his Grand-father, Merlin. This particular stock rotates 360 degrees for accuracy and ease of construction. Constructing a traditional boat from raw materials requires from 300-320 man hours. This includes the seats and oars.