Escobedo Boat Works Sea Dart 16'

Escobedo Boat Works
Sea Dart 16’
photograph by Paul Bardagjy

Escobedo Boat Works
SEA DART 16’
Escobedo Boat Works is proud to announce the launch of the Sea Dart!
The Sea Dart is a 16’ lapstrake decked canoe / kayak hybrid. Lapstrake boats
are defined by a ridged rather than smooth appearance and are planked with
overlapping boards called “strakes”. These strakes give the vessel a unique
appearance and provide a rigid, durable and lightweight hull. Lapstrake
construction dates back to the time of the Vikings as early as the year 739.
Through the use of these lightweight sturdy vessels, the Vikings were able to
conquer the northern European coast as far as Newfoundland. Eventually the
benefits of lapstrake construction were recognized around the world.
Various adaptations and methods were applied as lapstrake construction
spread throughout the United States and many types of vessels from war ships
to Adirondack guide boats were built using this method. Lapstrake
construction is so desirable because it simplifies the joining of planks and the
boats are ultimately lighter because fewer parts are needed to construct the
vessel. Increased stability is achieved because the ridges on the outside of the
hull displace water as the boat lists. The ridges also stiffen the hull and make it
more responsive.
Throughout the 18 th , 19 th and 20 th centuries, more and more lapstrake
vessels dotted the waters of North America in the form of workboats, trawlers,
skiffs, cruisers, canoes, and kayaks. After WWII high quality plywood
appeared on the market and began to replace white cedar, oak and juniper as
the material of choice. Plywood offered a lighter, stronger, and more stable
alternative to lumber. Soon, technological advances in fiberglass, resins and
epoxies followed. Regardless of the materials used, lapstrake construction
offers a beautiful and traditional style of boat building that never fails to turn
heads and brings back the beauty and romance associated with the historical
art of boat building.
Escobedo Boat Works is a division of Escobedo Construction. Escobedo
Construction has a reputation of bringing the latest technology together with
tradition and old world craftsmanship to produce projects of the highest
quality. Our boat building philosophy is no different. With the introduction

of the Sea Dart 16’, Escobedo Boat Works has utilized the most advanced
software and machinery to design and produce a 16’ lapstrake decked canoe /
kayak hybrid. The Sea Dart 16’ is an ultra lightweight plywood, fiberglass and
epoxy composite boat that is very durable and stable enough to stand in
comfortably. The boat weights around 50 pounds and can easily be lifted and
portaged by a single person. Despite its beauty, the Sea Dart 16’ is a
workhorse and can take on many challenges. It is not as delicate as its
appearance suggests. Rather, it should be used for its intended purpose
without hesitation and will out perform any boat in its class. The aesthetic
beauty of this boat will captivate you on every voyage and Escobedo Boat
Works invites you to discover the precise performance of this watercraft
today. Allow our passion for quality to serve your desire for the ultimate
boating experience.
Escobedo Boat Works