The Story of the Adirondack Canoe Company — and the Last Cascade

The Adirondack Canoe Company was born from the passion of two craftsmen who loved the outdoors and believed deeply in the simple joy of canoeing. They didn’t chase mass production or big‑box distribution. They built boats the old‑fashioned way — by hand, with pride, and with a clear vision of what a great canoe should feel like on the water.

Over the years they created several beautiful models:
The Tamarack. The Algonquin. The Boreas.
Each one had its own personality, its own purpose, its own loyal following.

But our favorite was always The Cascade.

The Cascade is small, light, and incredibly stable — the kind of canoe that makes you feel confident the moment you sit down. It’s perfect for those of us who don’t bend quite like we used to, and for any sportsman who wants a boat that’s steady, predictable, and easy to load on the car.

Sadly, the Adirondack Canoe Company didn’t survive. The doors closed, the tools went quiet, and the molds were left without a home. This particular Cascade may be one of the last ones ever built.

In fact, this boat was 95% completed when the company shut down. The only missing step is the signature bottom coating ADKC normally applied. If you didn’t know it was supposed to be there, you’d never notice — and that coating also adds a couple of pounds, so this one is actually a touch lighter than standard.

For now, this canoe stands as a one‑of‑a‑kind piece of Adirondack canoe‑building history. We’re hoping another builder eventually buys the mold and continues this wonderful design, but until then, this Cascade is truly unique.

From the Original ADK Listing

The Cascade is a new 12‑foot design released by Adirondack Canoe Company in the summer of 2023. Built with a wider, flatter bottom and pronounced tumblehome, the Cascade has excellent initial and secondary stability.

Like the Boreas, ADKC offered two styles:

a higher‑sided version with a hung seat for rowing or single‑blade paddling
a lower‑sided pack‑canoe version with a seat mounted to the floor

It’s an excellent choice for backcountry fishing or all‑around recreation.

Standard lay‑up:
Dogbone carbon/Kevlar exterior with a Kevlar interior — light, tough and beautifully crafted.

Specs:

Length: 12 ft.
Bow Depth: 16 in.
Center Depth: 12 in.
Stern Depth: 16 in.
Gunwale Width: 28.5 in.
Waterline Width: 31 in.
Weight: 27 lbs.

Adirondack Canoe Company

Adirondack Canoe Company Tamarack CarbonKevlar 16ft Pack Canoe Demo

Upper Cascade 12' Canoe Display Model 28LBS Brown Carbon/Kevlar

Adirondack Canoe Company Algonquin 11ft 8in Canoe

The Upper Cascade Canoe

The Almost Finished Upper Cascade Canoe