Pete Hornbeck
(Photo provided) A renowned boat builder who pioneered the creation of lightweight canoes that fit perfectly with the wilderness of Adirondack ponds and lakes “the lightest boats in the woods” died Saturday following a hike with his family. Peter Hornbeck, founder of Hornbeck Boats Inc., was 77. He died of a heart attack after a walk in the woods with his family, a family member posted on the Hornbeck Boats Inc. Facebook page. “There was no warning,” the post reads. “Pete had a clean bill of health from the cardiologist just this month.” Peter and his wife Ann Hornbeck created Hornbeck Boats on Trout Brook Road, Olmstedville, Essex County, more than 40 years ago. The company builds and sells double-paddle ultralight custom pack canoes. Hornbeck started building boats in his garage in 1971.