It isn't often that a business that operates under a different name spontaneously takes on the name of its founder, but that's the way it is with Hornbeck canoes. The real name of the business is Lost Pond Boats, but Peter Hornbeck, the proprietor, has become such a legend in light-weight boat construction that his canoes are most often referred to as "Hornbeck canoes," or simply "Hornbecks." Two of the best things about buying a Hornbeck canoe are meeting the proprietor, and testing out the products he manufactures and sells on the pond behind his workshop. We drove to the hamlet of Olmstedville via route 8, coming from the south, carefully checking the map for Troutbrook Road. We almost instinctively made a right turn onto the even less-traveled road where Hornbeck resides and runs his business. A sign approximately 1/4 mile in to the left lets you know where the Lost Pond Boat business is located; soon after we pulled in, we busied ourselves by looking around his showroom, undisturbed by salesmen. We took our time inspecting an attractive, sleek, charcoal gray Kevlar kayak and two small "Kevlar yellow" canoes that were on display. Peter believes in the power of word of mouth from past satisfied customers for advertising, and a bulletin board displaying many notes of thanks he has received dons one wall.
Noticing activity in a nearby barn, we walked to the rear of the property to see the boat building business in action. Peter has a handful of skilled technicians helping him construct his boats, and they all are happy to discuss their product with you, even as they are busy applying apoxy and Kevlar to a canoe mold.
No slick Wall Street salesman, Peter has a laid-back sales, "tell it like it is" approach to sales, and we found that he is a wealth of knowledge about boat construction and the pro's and con's of various models.
Although Peter and his wife are not from the Adirondacks originally, they are New York State natives, and love the wilderness area where they now reside. Years of teaching elementary school have taught Peter patience, and he lets his customers linger as long as they want during their trial run with his boats. "Moving to the Adirondacks from Buffalo was the smartest thing we ever did," Peter said. Peter has the state of mind of a true Adirondack-er trying to make a living off the tourists, and he often checks out the make of car they are driving when they pull in the yard to try to determine how much disposable income they may have! Many tourists have undoubtedly stopped, shopped and used up his valuable time without being serious about making a purchase.
No matter, Peter seems to enjoy talking to people and bestowing upon them his astute words of woodsman's advice. "If you are moving to the Adirondacks, buy land," he said. "Buy something off by itself, not near a lake. Lakefront property is too crowded and you don't want to be living in New Jersey." He has learned the beauty of the Adirondacks.
Peter advises you about how to sit in the boat, which boat is best for your weight and the best way to exit it when you are finished paddling. He will even let customers try out a lightweight carbon ferrule Grey Owl kayak paddle, which we thought could not have weighed more than two pounds.
While we kept eyeing the slick black kayak that he builds, we left Lost Pond Boats with a 12 ft. 18 lb. Kevlar canoe, having tried both the 10 ft. version and the kayak as well. Weight considerations and space inside the canoe were what made us select the 12 ft. model. All of the canoes Hornbeck manufactures are light enough to be carried on your shoulders, making them useful on canoe "carries," and when in the water, each stroke, as Peter says, "is a power stroke."
Shipping is available anywhere within the 48 states and prices range from $800 to $2,000.