High-quality, high-perormance sea kayaks

Hand-crafted, sublimely elegant boats that are as glorious to place on a pedestal as to paddle

“There is a particular quality about a finely crafted wooden kayak; its motion through the water seems somehow smoother than other kayaks, and the sweep of the sheer and smooth arc of the deck draws the hand as well as the eye,” says designer Nick Schade of Guillemot Kayaks.

Based in Groton, Connecticut, he has been crafting high-quality, high-performance sea kayaks for nearly two decades, and his loyal following stretches from the rocky coast of Maine to the sands of Bondi Beach and the crystal-clear waters off Dubai.

Commissions for Schade’s custom kayaks take between three to six months – depending on the complexity of the project and the waiting list – and he enjoys working collaboratively with clients on the specifics of design. After taking into consideration how and where the boat will be used, Schade then sets about crafting a kayak by hand-fitting hundreds of pieces of wood (although he can work in Kevlar, carbon fibre or plastic if required). His Standard model kayaks (from $15,000) are strip-built, often made of red cedar or marine plywood, and feature surface-mounted deck hardware. Each exquisitely laminated vessel includes subtle accent stripes and is designed to provide responsive motion whether in high seas or calm inlets.

For all-around performance, the Guillemot ($15,000-$30,000) with its shallow V bottom and hard chine is the ultimate choice. Schade offers this kayak – complete with rich mahogany finishes, recessed wooden hardware and custom upholstery – in a range of sizes. Bespoke graphics are his specialty and he meticulously matches wood strips and incorporates inlaid marquetry.

Other customisable boats include the Night Heron (first and second picture, $15,000) – a hybrid stitch-and-glue construction with an elegant exterior – and the Io ($3,900), a good choice as a child’s first kayak. Rugged Coot dinghies ($10,000-$16,850), canoes ($10,000) and sculptural Petrels ($18,150-$28,850) for sheltered waters round out the offerings. Paddles are also made to order (from $500) to ensure proper weight and fit.

Despite subtle cosmetic differences, all of Schade’s kayaks are designed to be quick and efficient, to track straight, to turn easily and to stand the test of time. So sleek and chic are these boats, however, that many opt to simply display them as works of art in their great rooms – the Night Heron kayak is in the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art.