Let's start the 2006 PaddleME season with this clear understanding: I only buy boats constructed from man-made materials such as fiberglass and plastic compounds. Zero maintenance trumps beauty, I'll happily admit.

But I admire -- from afar -- the artistry that goes into top-of-the-line paddling craft. And artistry is the only word that describes a man I met this weekend at the Maine Boatbuilders Show at Portland Yacht Services. Jerry Stelmok is a craftsman from Atkinson who builds the most gorgeous canoes imaginable.

Jerry Stelmok, master canoe craftsman, holds a salesman's model at the Maine Boatbuilders Show this past weekend.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Jerry's the owner of Island Falls Canoe, which builds about 10 models of traditional wood-canvas construction using original molds from the historic E.M. White Company of Old Town.

At prices ranging from $2,750 to $7,400, Jerry's canoes are works of art that appeal to well-heeled aficonados of beautiful boats. I can dream, can't I?

In his 31 years in business, Jerry's built about 700 canoes in his Atkinson factory. He also offers four-foot models, traditionally carried by traveling salesmen.

To celebrate his 25th year in business, he designed the Millennium Sojourner, which is decorated from stem to stern with his own paintings of scenes from nature. Check out other aspects of Jerry's artistry, including the three books about canoes that he's written, by visiting his website.

Two views of the Millennium Sojourner canoe, a real work of art!
Photo courtesy Island Falls Canoe

Example of Jerry Stelmok's art.
Artwork courtesy Island Falls Canoe.

I told Jerry that I'd try to drop by the factory this summer and take one of his boats out for a test -- and share the experience with PaddleMe readers.