Tag Archives: Craftsman

Fitzke Wood Paddle Boards

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
27 Nov

 

Born of tradition. Raised by originality. A potent combination of experience & elbow grease. Fitzke Paddleboards seamlessly melds them all with stunning results.

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Here is the Fitzke Paddle Board, a luxurious wooden paddle board inspired by the 1920s wooden planes and boats. If the classic paddle boards look like a big foam board, the American designer Kevin Fitzke decided to create this amazing object, entitled The Bootlegger, leading the paddle board into the world of design with a beautiful mix of vintage aesthetics and modern techniques.

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The Fitzke Paddle Board is entirely handmade, and hides in front a compartment to store a few things like shoes or a phone. No mention of a prize for this awesome creation, but no doubt that this luxury paddle board will be reserved for the most fortunate.

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THE BOOTLEGGER

A TIMELESS LOOK PERFECTED BY MODERN-DAY TECHNIQUE.

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The inspiration for our first board—The Bootlegger—can be found roughly 100 years in the past. Based on the designs of prohibition-era airplanes and wood boats from the 1920’s and 30’s, The Bootlegger is fast, tracks very straight and, most importantly, features a water-resistant storage compartment that’s tucked into the front of the board. This hiding spot is the signature element of The Bootlegger, and is perfect for storing everything from sandals, a jacket, an on-the-water picnic, to your phone (in a plastic bag), wallet, keys or perhaps your favorite bottle of booze.

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DESIGN

Featuring a touring-style design, The Bootlegger made from the best marine-grade mahogany plywood money can buy. It’s sleek and takes advantage of the finest techniques in woodcraft. The Bootlegger is built with less than 10% solid wood, assuring minimal-to-zero wood expansion due to weather and climate change. This guarantees no wood and joinery splitting or cracks due to moisture change. When all the wood is set, we hand-paint the graphics and employ a buffing sequence on the varnish for a museum-quality shine. The result is a stunningly beautiful board that’s perfect for the advanced-beginner to intermediate rider.

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BUILT BY HAND

There’s nothing quite like The Bootlegger on the water today. And not just because the design itself is patent-pending, but each one of our models is built to order—by hand.
The only question that remains is what will you store in your Bootlegger?

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BOOTLEGGER BOARD CONSTRUCTION

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  • Made using European 1088 Standards and Lloyds Registered Marine Grade Mahogany Plywood.
  • Features cold-molding building techniques for a water-tight seal.
  • A two-part epoxy is used for all joinery. This adhesive has 8500 psi tensile strength and 13,200 psi flexural strength.
  • The board has a fiberglass epoxy bottom and epoxy resin-impregnated sides and top, ensuring a water-tight seal and the ultimate in strength.
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  • Marine grade wood stain, varnish and paint.
  • Ergonomic 5mm-thick SeaDek standing pad.
  • Aluminum and PVC base rubber trim keeps paddle dents and transportation scratches to an absolute minimum.
  • Synthetic molded fin, fin box and carry handle.
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  • OVERALL LENGTH: 12′ 6″

    OVERALL WIDTH: 29 3/4″

    WIDTH AT WATERLINE: 27″

    WEIGHT: 36-39LBS

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    EACH BOOTLEGGER PADDLE BOARD IS BUILT-TO-ORDER WITH COLOR OPTIONS FOR STAIN, STANDING DECK PAD AND CHECKERED PAINT PATTERN INCLUDED. EACH BOARD TAKES ABOUT 6 WEEKS TO PRODUCE.

    – Limited production per year –

    – Bespoke branding and graphic designs are available –

    – Wood grain will vary –

  • I dont know much about paddle boards, but- One think I can tell you, if I was up shit creek then this would be my savior.