About Us

Since 1983 at Crab Apple, we have found that our two top sources of guests are repeat rafters and referrals by friends and family. This tells us that we are meeting our goals of creating comfortable environments for outstanding rafting adventure experiences.

How are we achieving these goals? Please read on about our Family and Staff, Our Equipment, Our Facilities and our wide range of river rafting adventures.

About Our Family

Crab Apple Whitewater is made up of seven family members, a couple of full time extended family members and our wonderful seasonal staff. Chuck and Sharyn Peabody packed up their family from Hingham, Massachusetts in 1981 and moved to The Forks, Maine - population 30. Crab Apple was born in 1983 as Chuck learned how to guide rafts (he had never been rafting before) and Sharyn ran Crab Apple Acres Inn. They had done what many people dream about - leave a job and lifestyle that did not inspire them and exchange it for something unknown, but exciting. Hopes and dreams soon grew into a passion for showing people the wonder, beauty and excitement of whitewater rafting.

Jennifer and Robert grew up as Crab Apple did. Jennifer loved the Kennebec River and became a competitive kayak racer, spending seven years on US teams. Summers were a balance of training, races and photography as she was taking pictures of the rafters, developing the photos and mailing them out. Robert was just seven when the family moved to Maine. He also grew to love the wilderness and followed his sister as an excellent photographer. Hiking in to the river each morning, Robert found the best angles and lighting at every rapid to snap the best photos to show the whitewater action and the thrills on the faces of the paddlers.

The family expanded in the 1990's as Jennifer and Robert married. Frank joined Jennifer in Massachusetts and took the fledgling Deerfield operation through several base camps to the current location on the banks of the Deerfield River. Early seasons on the Deerfield were a struggle with irregular dam releases and uncertain conditions to be met from the state. Persistence and confidence propelled the Deerfield operation to expand to other rivers and from hundreds of guests each season to 15,000. Carrie helped the Maine operation grow to include the restaurant, pub and include a modern reservation office. Expanded lodging also followed as Crab Apple served more people with more time to spend in the beautiful woods of Maine. Finally, Carrie's Mom joined the team. Sharon joins Sharyn Peabody in running the reservation office and front desk in Maine - not to mention a thousand other tasks that happen behind the scenes to make our guests' adventure with Crab Apple as enjoyable as possible.

As our family and Crab Apple have grown, everyone has remained on scene nearly every day. In Maine you will see Rob leading the Kennebec trip...maybe see Chuck guiding but more likely driving your bus, cooking steaks or hanging out after the slide show to say hello to all of our guests, especially the returning rafters (he remembers them from 1983 until now!). Sharon, Sharyn and Carrie are taking your reservations, helping at the front desk and also remembering every detail of your trip itinerary. In Massschsetts, Jen and Frank are on the river training the raft guides and running trips all season.

None of us can manage from afar, we love the action and thrills of the season and get excited as each winter winds down and we ready for another season. This sets us apart from other outfitters - the "bosses" train all of the guides themselves, wash wetsuits after a trip, serve drinks in the bar and talk with you over and over as you ask the questions that we have heard thousands of times for over 25 years - and we are psyched to do it all. We love our rivers. We love our staff. Most of all, we love the spirit that our guests bring as they anticipate their raft trip each morning.

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Our Family & Our Staff

In 1981, we moved from suburban Boston to The Forks, Maine - population 30. We bought Crab Apple Acres Inn and welcomed rafters, hunters and fishermen. In 1983, Crab Apple Whitewater was born. It consisted of two rafts, an old van, the Inn and our most valuable asset, our family - Chuck, Sharyn, Jennifer and Robert. More than twenty years of rafting have passed since then. Our family has grown, Crab Apple Whitewater has grown, but our philosophy has remained the same. Our family strives to maintain an atmosphere and a staff that is committed to treat each guest as the most important guest of the year.

Many of our competitors claim to have the same philosophy, but we practice what we preach. "Family owned and operated" is not just a catch phrase for our brochure. You may make your reservation with Sharyn or Carrie. Chuck and Robert will be coordinating or guiding your rafting trip down one of our Maine rivers. Jennifer and Frank will be running and guiding your rafting trips in Massachusetts.

Personal, caring attention is a guarantee at Crab Apple Whitewater. We achieve this by hiring according to our philosophy and by having family members participate in each Crab Apple rafting trip. We are proud to say that Crab Apple has grown to become the largest rafting company in New England.

Join us this season and become part of our growing family of rafters who know that Crab Apple Whitewater offers the finest service with a personal touch.

Chuck & Sharyn Peabody
Jennifer, Frank, Ryan & Zachary Mooney
Robert, Carrie, Courtney and Conner Peabody

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Our Whitewater Equipment

At Crab Apple Whitewater we pride ourselves on our fine fleet of rafts, inflatable kayaks and personal outfitting gear. We know that outstanding service means ensuring your safety and comfort during your whitewater trip.

We own over 100 self-bailing Hyside rafts and inflatable kayaks. These include five different size boats designed to give you the safest, most exciting ride on the river trip you choose.

Our personal outfitting gear will make you feel comfortable. Over 400 wetsuits and lifejackets are sized for all rafters and continuously updated to ensure your safety.

We go the extra mile to ensure your safety on the river—Crab Apple Whitewater is among a smal group of outfitters in Maine and Massachusetts to carry Satellite phones or cell phones on the river in case of emergency!

Check out our two main suppliers:
Northwest River Supplies www.nrsweb.com
Hyside Inflatables www.hyside.com

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Our Facilities

Crab Apple Whitewater offers what no one else can in New England Rafting: top notch base camps overlooking the Kennebec River in Maine and the Deerfield River in Massachusetts.

Crab Apple on the Kennebec

In Maine, our facility is built for multi-day stays. Many lodging options are available from bunk-style rooms for groups to luxury suites complete with two person whirlpool jacuzzi tubs. Our spectacular base lodge, complete with a pub, restaurant and conference area is the best in Maine rafting.

A gathering area and store are always open for relaxing and shopping before and after your trip. Enjoy a game of chess, read a book and relax in this wonderful space.

On a lower level, a conference and banquet facility is open for meetings and meals and also provides comfortable seating to view pictures and videos after a run down the river. Shower and changing facilities and heated, indoor storage for wetsuits are also included.

Join us and see the best facility in Maine rafting!

Crab Apple on the Deerfield

In Massachusetts, our beautiful new base sits between the historic Mohawk Trail and the Deerfield River. It was completely re-built in 2008. A large, covered deck overlooking the river is the perfect spot for a snack or a drink while relaxing after your day's adventure. Flat screen TV's will show the day's rafting photos and the Red Sox or Patriots game. Facilities include changing rooms, snack bar, large gathering area to view photos after a run down the river and retail and souvenir store.

Articles on Raft Guide Training

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