Rob (openboater), why don't you tell us about your canoe company. Here's a chance for some shameless self promotion.
JKaz
Welcome Rob S.
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openboater
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- Posts: 14
- Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:28 pm
- Location: Vermont
Vermont Canoe...
Yo Kaz and fellow c-boaters,
I'm so glad I found Cboats.net. I've been hangin' with p-netters on paddling.net and saw some references to this site. So I certainly wasn't going to miss the chance to jump right in.
Anyway, after working at MRC for 6 years, I survived (with scars) the merger of Mad River and Wilderness Systems back in the late 90's. I did't move to NC and stayed here in VT where Amy and I opened a 4 season outfitter store and were the designated Facorty Showroom for MRC until in December 2001, Confluence ( in their infinate wisdom) packed up production and shipped it south. In 2003 we bought the assets of the then defunct Vermont Canoe out of Newport, Vermont and brought everything down here to Waitsfield. We built and sold 30 FG canoes in 2004 and then closed our store in December '04. I went out and got a job (insurance and a paycheck) and Amy took over running VT Canoe. We currently have three models (16' tandem, 14' tandem, 12'9" pack canoe) and build primarliy Kevlar layups. We are working on putting VIP online (vacuum infusion) and hope to have two new models and aluminium trim for 2009. We distribute our product through retailers in the Northeast and ADKs. It's been a long hard road. Vermont it a tough state to do buisness in, but we will not lose. Last year was especially difficult because of factors out of our control. 2008 will be a stabilizing year and look out for 2009, that's when things go off! We don't currently have plans to build any ww models in composite (buy a Mill Brook). We do foresee Royalex in our future, though, and you know I'll be calling you, Kaz, about putting some of your models into play. By the way, our shop sits on the confluence of your namesake, the Mill Brook and the Mad River. The Mill Brook has killer spring paddling and awesome Brown Trout fishing.
Everyone involved with Vermont Canoe is a paddler, used to work at MRC and is committed to continuing the tradition of building canoes in the Mad River Valley. Jim Henry , who has always been friend, neighbor, and mentor, is now one of our designers and consutlants.
Personally, I've not been racing in a number of years, but I still paddle regularly during the open water months. I have a daughter who is almost 6 and she's mean with a single blade. I'm ready for Senior/cadet class...I still have a Twister and Cyclone in the barn.
To all in Cboat land, I'm always happy to answer questions about old MRC canoes. I have all the old prodution info and can fabricate (with Jim) many of the old pieces and parts for long since discontinued models.
Open boat, open mind.
Rob
PS Our website is www.vermontcanoe.com. It needs some updating for sure, but it gives you a good idea of what's up.
I'm so glad I found Cboats.net. I've been hangin' with p-netters on paddling.net and saw some references to this site. So I certainly wasn't going to miss the chance to jump right in.
Anyway, after working at MRC for 6 years, I survived (with scars) the merger of Mad River and Wilderness Systems back in the late 90's. I did't move to NC and stayed here in VT where Amy and I opened a 4 season outfitter store and were the designated Facorty Showroom for MRC until in December 2001, Confluence ( in their infinate wisdom) packed up production and shipped it south. In 2003 we bought the assets of the then defunct Vermont Canoe out of Newport, Vermont and brought everything down here to Waitsfield. We built and sold 30 FG canoes in 2004 and then closed our store in December '04. I went out and got a job (insurance and a paycheck) and Amy took over running VT Canoe. We currently have three models (16' tandem, 14' tandem, 12'9" pack canoe) and build primarliy Kevlar layups. We are working on putting VIP online (vacuum infusion) and hope to have two new models and aluminium trim for 2009. We distribute our product through retailers in the Northeast and ADKs. It's been a long hard road. Vermont it a tough state to do buisness in, but we will not lose. Last year was especially difficult because of factors out of our control. 2008 will be a stabilizing year and look out for 2009, that's when things go off! We don't currently have plans to build any ww models in composite (buy a Mill Brook). We do foresee Royalex in our future, though, and you know I'll be calling you, Kaz, about putting some of your models into play. By the way, our shop sits on the confluence of your namesake, the Mill Brook and the Mad River. The Mill Brook has killer spring paddling and awesome Brown Trout fishing.
Everyone involved with Vermont Canoe is a paddler, used to work at MRC and is committed to continuing the tradition of building canoes in the Mad River Valley. Jim Henry , who has always been friend, neighbor, and mentor, is now one of our designers and consutlants.
Personally, I've not been racing in a number of years, but I still paddle regularly during the open water months. I have a daughter who is almost 6 and she's mean with a single blade. I'm ready for Senior/cadet class...I still have a Twister and Cyclone in the barn.
To all in Cboat land, I'm always happy to answer questions about old MRC canoes. I have all the old prodution info and can fabricate (with Jim) many of the old pieces and parts for long since discontinued models.
Open boat, open mind.
Rob
PS Our website is www.vermontcanoe.com. It needs some updating for sure, but it gives you a good idea of what's up.
open boat, open mind
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Mr.DeadLegs
- CBoats Addict
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- Location: Marietta, Georgia