Mackinaw Watercraft, LLC.

After a decade and a half our founder Allen Deming has retired. Deming began Mackinaw Watercraft as a retirement job in 2007.  What he envisioned as a creative way to take up some of his time quickly became a fulltime job.  Allen spent the first several years refining his designs so that they would be a delight to paddle, seaworthy, lightweight and durable.  Soon folks were asking him to share his skills and insights into Strip-built boat building and he started the Mackinaw Watercraft Canoe and Kayak College. Since its inception Deming estimates that he has taught his full boat building class to over 200 students.  With paddle building classes and introductory seminars he has shared his knowledge with more than 2,000 more woodworkers and paddlers.

Along the way his creative designs began to be recognized as objects of art, to be collected for their intrinsic beauty as well as their seaworthiness. "I never expected my creations to be featured items in fine art museums and art competitions." says Deming.  "But I am thankful for the recognition."

Allen and his wife Susan plan to travel and enjoy the outdoors in the special boats he has made. 

Mackinaw Watercraft will still attend a limited number of shows while the remaining inventory of boats and paddles remain.  

Over the course of these three weekend dates you will receive 15 hours of instruction from experienced and acclaimed wooden boat builder Allen Deming. This class is designed as an introduction to the construction of cedar strip canoes, kayaks and paddles. Covered topics will include discussions of boat design, materials, tools and construction techniques. The class will rely heavily on live demonstrations and include the opportunity for hands-on participation. From forms to fiberglass and finishing this overview should give you a strong start on the road to building your own wooden watercraft. For registration see the class section of this web site.

Over the course of these three weekend dates you will receive 15 hours of instruction from experienced and acclaimed wooden boat builder Allen Deming. This class is designed as an introduction to the construction of cedar strip canoes, kayaks and paddles. Covered topics will include discussions of boat design, materials, tools and construction techniques. The class will rely heavily on live demonstrations and include the opportunity for hands-on participation. From forms to fiberglass and finishing this overview should give you a strong start on the road to building your own wooden watercraft. For registration see the class section of this web site.

Due to high lake levels and the damage caused by them this show has been canceled again.  Perhaps next year.

40th Antique & Classic Boat Show
June 19, 2021
10am – 4pm
The Antique & Classic Boat Show celebrates all kinds of boat types from wood and fiberglass to power and paddle and is one of the oldest and most popular of its kind in the region. The family-friendly event features a variety of boats including Chris Crafts, Centuries, strip-built boats, dinghies, canoes, sailboats, and much more! Kids’ toy boat-building and demonstrations make this event a real hands-on experience for all ages. Our aim is to help perpetuate the building, restoration, and use of classic boats and small craft and to give participants and the public an entertaining and informative learning experience.

The show is now in its 40th year and the Michigan Maritime Museum is honored to take the reins from the previous sponsors, the Traditional Small Craft Association. We hope to continue their wonderful legacy of showcasing classic and small craft as well as the people who love and care for these vessels. 

Cost for the show is $10 for adults and $5 for kids (under 3 free). Free to Museum members. The cost includes the show and admission to all Michigan Maritime Museum exhibits.

Mackinaw Watercraft brings its unique spin on wooden boats to the home of the original Chris Craft manufacturing site.  Join us at the Algonac Harbor Club for a look at some of the most beautiful wood that has ever been afloat.  The show is from 10:00 to 4:00 at 1999 Point Tremble Rd. Algonac, MI.  This will be our only opportunity to join our friends on the east side of Michigan this year, so please don't miss us.

Mackinaw Watercraft is proud to once again be a part of this classic event. We will have a full complement of our handcrafted Canoes, Kayak, Paddles and Picnic Baskets on display. so bring your credit card and be prepared to make someone very happy.

Set along the tree-lined boardwalk of the Boardman River in Traverse City, vintage boats of any material and older than 25 years are welcome. Wood boats of any age are welcome.

The Big Daddy of all the Great Lakes antique and wooden boat shows.  Here you will see stunningly restored classics of types and styles as well as Art and marine memorabilia.  But you will only fine one creator of new boats.  Mackinaw Watercraft will be there in booths 1 & 2 right next to the water waiting for you.

Once again Mackinaw Watercraft will play a featured role in this popular annual event.  Free to woodworkers and lovers of all types this expo features some of America's top wood workers and tool suppliers giving demonstrations and talks on their specialties.  Our chief woodworker Allen Deming will be speaking on both days, offering his insights on what is involved in producing the two most popular types of home built wooden boats.  He will also be working on the construction of a strip-built canoe both days.

Mackinaw Watercraft is please to announce that once again that our chief builder, designer and artist Allen Deming has qualified one of his creations for the Grand Rapids ArtPrize competition.  For those of you who do not know ArtPrize is the largest and most competitive art competitions in the world.  We are proud to say that this is the fourth time that Allen has qualified  a piece for this prestigious competition.  Allen's creation is a 16' Grand model canoe called "1812".  It will be shown at Park Church in downtown Grand Rapids.  For more information visit:  ArtPrize.org

Over the course of these three weekend dates you will receive 15 hours of instruction from experienced and acclaimed wooden boat builder Allen Deming. This class is designed as an introduction to the construction of cedar strip canoes, kayaks and paddles. 

Covered topics will include discussions of boat design, materials, tools and construction techniques. The class will rely heavily on live demonstrations and include the opportunity for hands-on participation.

From forms to fiberglass and finishing this overview should give you a strong start on the road to building your own wooden watercraft. For registration see the class section of this web site.

Mackinaw Watercraft, LLC owner and designer Allen Deming will offer a wood paddle making class for beginners and experienced woodworkers.

This two hour class will provide instruction and insight for making Allen’s laminated canoe and kayak paddle designs.  Using live demonstrations and written instructions, a step by step process will reveal his method for creating beautiful and long-lasting canoe and kayak paddles.

You can expect to learn how to make your own laminated canoe and kayak paddles. We will discuss optimal woods, fiberglass and epoxy usage.  An illustrated instruction booklet with plans will be provided to each participant.

Take home kits will be available for an additional fee.

Cost:  $35.00

See Class section of this site for registration.