Wooden Boat USA
Venetian Gondola Wooden Boat 15 ft.
Venetian Gondola Wooden Boat 15 ft.
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15ft Real Venetian Gondola Boat
Bring the romantic charm of Venice to life with our real, fully functional 15-foot Venetian Gondola. Handcrafted by skilled artisans using traditional methods, this gondola blends timeless Italian elegance with modern craftsmanship.
Each boat takes about 600–800 hours to build. High-quality red and yellow cedar strips are joined by hand, then strengthened with layers of fiberglass and epoxy resin for durability. A final marine varnish enhances the wood’s natural beauty and protects it from water and sun damage, ensuring your gondola lasts for generations.
Painted in the classic glossy black with a white stripe, this gondola captures the authentic look seen in the canals of Venice. The smooth hull design allows for easy gliding on calm waters — perfect for lakes, resorts, or private estates.
Features:
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Handcrafted Construction: Built with red and yellow cedar wood, reinforced with fiberglass and epoxy for long-lasting strength.
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Elegant Design: Finished in deep black with a white stripe, showcasing classic Venetian details and graceful curves.
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Comfortable Seating: Features a red cushioned seat with a decorative backrest and built-in under-seat storage for personal items or safety gear.
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Motor Compartment: Includes a wooden side motor mount suitable for a small electric trolling motor (recommended).
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Comes with a Paddle: A traditional wooden paddle is included, offering an authentic rowing experience.
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Lightweight and Functional: Easy to maneuver by hand or motor, comfortably seats up to 3 people.
Specifications:
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Length: 15 feet
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Weight Capacity: 500 lbs (227 kg)
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Item Weight: 392 lbs (178 kg)
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Max Horsepower: 2 HP
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Capacity: 3 persons
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Optional: Wooden side motor mount (included); trolling motor sold separately
Availability: This gondola is a special-order item. If not currently in stock, please allow 30–60 days for production and delivery. Also available in larger sizes: 21ft – Item K223, 36ft – Item K151
History
The Venetian Gondola is one of the oldest and most recognizable boats in the world. It first appeared in Venice around the 11th century, becoming the city’s main form of transportation for hundreds of years. By the 17th and 18th centuries, thousands of gondolas filled the Venetian canals, serving nobles, merchants, and visitors.
Over time, the gondola evolved from a simple working vessel into an elegant, handcrafted icon of Venetian art and culture. Its asymmetrical design—with one side slightly wider than the other—allows it to be rowed with a single oar from the right side. This smart engineering helps the gondolier steer smoothly through narrow canals without ever lifting the oar from the water.
The “Fèrro”, the iron ornament at the bow, is another signature feature. It often carries symbolic designs such as six bars representing the districts of Venice, a curved top for the Doge’s cap, and a backward “S” shape that recalls the Grand Canal.
Though their numbers have declined, about 400 gondolas still operate today, mostly for tourism and special events. They continue to represent the romance and timeless beauty of Venice, a living reminder of its rich maritime past.
Our handcrafted gondola follows the same traditional spirit — a piece of Italian heritage made real, inviting you to glide gracefully across the water and experience Venice wherever you are!
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What makes our wooden boats so unique and special?
Hundreds of hours go into the construction of our boats, as perfection is the only options.
- ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY: We use only certified top-grade, hand-selected wood such as Canadian red cedar, mahogany, rosewood, teak and more.
- THE ART OF CRAFTSMANSHIP: Merging centuries-old customs with technological innovation, we bring you boats that excel in every categories.
- IN-HOUSE QUALITY CONTROL: Each of our wooden boats goes through a demand quality control process including in water testing before leaving the workshop.
About Woodenboat USA™
The story of time-honored traditions of boat building.
More than just watercraft, our wooden boats, kayaks and canoes represent connections to a legacy of craftsmanship and old world techniques. Woodenboat USA is invested in the type of construction that recalls generations of boat making. Over thirty years in business, our commitment has always been and will continue to be, to excellence, to tradition and to creating products that you can enjoy both for their performance and incredible beauty.
Inspired by history, the names of our watercraft are derived from the northern waterways where natives and settlers have used them for centuries. Merging centuries-old customs with improvements in technology, we bring you boats that excel in every category.
Beginning with pliable, high quality Canadian cedar and hardwood, our craftsmen hand join each individual strip. Hundreds of hours go into the construction of our boats, as perfection is the only option. Once built, the piece is encapsulated in fiberglass epoxy resin adding an extra layer of durability and strength. At last, the water craft is ready for its nautical debut.
FAQ's
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What are your canoes and kayaks made of?
Our canoes and kayaks are made of the highest quality western red cedar and some hardwoods. The larger boats are made of western red cedar, pine, and hardwoods such as oak, mahogany, teak, and some locally available woods. Our wooden watercraft are then coated both inside and out in an incredibly durable American made fiberglass and epoxy resin.
You mentioned that you use fiberglass in your boats, so what is the difference between your boats and fiberglass boats?
We only use 1 or 2 clear thin layers of fiberglass coating on top of the wood for reinforcement and added integrity. You never see any fiberglass, only beautiful, hand-joined cedar and hardwoods.
What is a typical cedar strip canoe or kayak weight?
A 15’ kayak weighs approximately 45lbs, making it very easy for one person to carry. A 16’ canoe weighs about 48lbs.
What type of boats do you build?
Our wooden strip canoes and kayaks are hugely popular for touring and recreational purposes. We also build wooden dinghies, wooden sail boats, classic wooden runabouts, and speedboats. Additionally, we can custom-build any design with which you supply us.
What methods do you use to build the boats?
Focused on integrating traditional technique with modern design, all boats are built by hand, typically taking hundreds of man hours to create.
How do I order?
Please contact our dealers or call (877) 88 Boats for more information.
How long does an order take?
Boats that we have in stock can be shipped to you within a week). New or custom products generally take 2-3 months as everything we sell is 100% hand crafted.
How do you ship it?
We can ship via trucking company very safely. We also insure all freight so in the very rare case that a shipment is damaged during transit, we will take care of the details and immediately replace the item for you. We also have distributors all over the world, so please contact us to find out more information.
How do I become a distributor of your products?
We welcome qualified dealers and distributors all over the world. Please contact us today at (877) 88 Boats or email us at info@woodenboatusa.com for more information.
What kind of warranty can I expect?
For all products we offer a 6 month limited warranty on materials and craftsmanship.
Guidelines for use
CARE:
With a little bit of care and maintenance, your beautiful canoe can last for generations. While our products are certainly durable and solid, they still require the right type of care and handling to ensure that they perform optimally.
- It is recommended that you rinse your canoe off with fresh clean water after every use.
- Upon returning from the trip, allow your canoe to air-dry in the shade.
STORAGE:
Besides taking care of your canoe, storage also plays an essential role in maintaining your canoe’s appearance and beauty.
- Always store your wooden canoe in shade.
- Turn it upside down on the support thereby keeping it off the ground.
- Hanging your boat from the rafters in your garage or shop would be ideal storage.
REPAIR:
Minor scratches can be repaired by marine spar vanish or some brand of automobile wax. Smooth the damaged area with sand paper, wipe clean, then apply marine spar vanish.
SAFETY:
Wooden Boat USA strongly recommends that a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is worn whenever paddling.