A cedar-strip canoe on a lakeside dock, treeline and open water beyond

Built by hand in Ventura, California

Custom Designed Kayaks, Canoes and Boards

Quality Handcrafted Woodwork for Nature Lovers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

  • Strip-built cedar
  • Fiberglass & marine varnish
  • Sustainably harvested
  • Delivered nationwide

A Piece To Pass Down Through Generations

Crafted With Heart For A Life Well Spent.

A finished wooden canoe mounted overhead as the centrepiece of a room
Mantle worthy, nature ready

Design

Exquisite Design

Every piece is a one of a kind creation. From digital sketch to custom chosen wood to fiberglass casing, aesthetics and function are woven to craft a work of art that is mantle worthy and nature ready.

Delivery

Delivered To Your Doorstep

No shipping cost required. My hassle-free delivery process allows you to receive your unique order straight to your doorstep anywhere in the U.S. while giving me an excuse to take a road trip. I say that's a win-win! (Excludes special circumstances.)

Materials

Sustainably Harvested Wood

I strive to use sustainably sourced wood in my projects whenever possible and hope to soon be using 100% recycled wood in every design. Wood types include Western red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar, purple heart, mahogany, and walnut.

Available Styles

Western red cedar · Alaskan yellow cedar
Purple heart · Mahogany · Walnut

A cedar-strip kayak photographed from above on turquoise water

Kayak

Leave your worries on the shore

Take a bliss filled ride out on the open water in your custom crafted kayak. Good for toning the arms, deep contemplation, and making friends with strangers who can't help but ask, "Where did you get that gorgeous kayak?"

A cedar-strip canoe resting on a lakeside dock, seen from the stern

Canoe

Room enough to bring someone along

The one you load up for a whole afternoon — a second paddler, a dog, a cooler, a rod. Built to whatever length you ask for, from a 14 foot boat for the lake house to something longer for open water.

A handmade wooden paddle board with a striped deck

Paddle Board

A piece of art that gains speed with ease

While everyone else will be drifting by on generic plastic boards, you'll be gliding across the water. With a sturdy design and fully water proof coating, you can push off with confidence for both a meditative ride and a hearty workout.

A wooden surfboard with a fanned deck pattern lying on grass

Surf Board

You won't be just catching waves

Wooden surfboards are stronger, more environmentally friendly, and allow you to connect with the elements in a wholesome and enriching way. And with a stunner like this, you'll be making them.

A paddler gliding across open water in a handmade wooden kayak

Enjoy the Outdoors in Style

There's no better feeling than getting out on the water with a craft you trust and love. That's why Ventura Boat Works marries functional design with aesthetic craftsmanship to produce a masterpiece that seamlessly integrates with your natural environment.

Learn More
The builder seated on a dock beside one of his finished wooden boats

Philosophy

Quality — Zen — Connection

Through years of experience I've honed my skills in producing quality work with a zen-like approach. My greatest goal is to create pieces that inspire a deeper connection with your natural surroundings and with the people you happen to paddle by on your journey.

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Tips and Ponderings From a Boat Builder

Coming soon
Sanding the hull of a wooden boat under a shade canopy

Zen and the Art of Woodwork

The plywood strongback and station moulds that shape a hull

What it Takes to Design and Build a Wooden Kayak

Sunlight on the varnished hull of a wooden boat beside the water

Growing Up on the Lake

Commissions

Let's get designing!