My experience with Eskimo Tom has been great. I had wanted to build a canoe for years, had scoured the internet and boating magazines for designs and one day happened upon Tom's web site:
www.finewoodwatercraft.com
Eureka!
Unlike the "big" companies, Tom worked with me to customize a boat to my needs and specifications. He produced rough designs for 3 different boats until we decided on the one right for me, my dog and my paddling style. Once the final version was decided upon he produced a complete set of large scale plans showing layout, lofting dimensions and other vital details.
After some (careful) work on my part his lofted planks stitched together perfectly! It was amazing and very gratifying to have such a project come together. One of my friends referred to the boat as a piece of sculpture!
Tom was with me all the way via phone and email, answering questions and offering suggestions on construction. The only frustration is that I built the boat in December and January and now must wait for the accursed ice to recede before I can float it!
