Chamberlain Gunning Dory -John Gardner design/built There are a lot of jokes made about how we anthropomorphize and describe our attachments to boats in terms of human relationships. I have sentimental attachments to my boats, because either I or a friend built them, or just the history and memories attached to them. Others have historical… Continue reading Echo
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Freddie the Cat
Freddie the Cat is celebrating 40 years afloat this year, launched April 23, 1983, on Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida. loa 12’6″ beam 6′ draft 1′ cb draft 3′Built by Robert Treat, she is cold molded with African Mahogany veneer over Cypress strip planking. Bob would tell you that he built a half scale version of… Continue reading Freddie the Cat
Hanna
Rambler 23 Harry Bryan designed the Rambler series for fuel efficiency. The long length to beam ratio displacement creates an easily driven hull form that cruises comfortably at 6-7 knots with the cost of fuel and ice for a weekend being about the same. The value and versatility of an open utility launch is hard… Continue reading Hanna
John Gardner Small Craft Workshop at WoodenBoat Show, Mystic Seaport
It was a multipurpose trip to the WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport last weekend, show my boat “MALU”, and to participate in the John Gardner Small Craft Workshop. Mystic is a special place made more so by the WB show and the extra privileges granted by the Seaport.
Aunt Louise an 18’6″ W. Garden Eel
The Aunt Louise, a William Garden designed Ell was built at the turn of the century (this century) by Gordon Swift with assistance from owner Davis Hammond. Named for Hammond’s aunt Louise Dupont Crowninshield and home ported at Davis’s Boca Grande home, on the west coast of Florida. Strip planked of Spanish Cedar, with Black… Continue reading Aunt Louise an 18’6″ W. Garden Eel
Clark Mills and the Optimist Pram
Most sailors, or at least most racing sailors are familiar with the Optimist Pram, but may not know the story of how or why it was developed. That is one of the reasons we are building the McKay Creek Boat Shop at Heritage Village. Clark Mills designed the pram for the Clearwater Florida Optimist Club, the Document… Continue reading Clark Mills and the Optimist Pram
First rebuild project 1968
10′ fiberglass hull, built new deck, used a Cypress tree for a mast.
CUMBIA- new Navigation station
Cumbia is a 71′ Cutter beautifully maintained by the owner. Work was done at a private slip in 2012 The existing chart table faced aft. We rearranged the lay out to face fwd, and create an enclosed space for the navigator. The credit for the varnish work belongs to the owner.
A Snipe named Honey, and the birth of a new center for the maritime history of Pinellas County Florida
It seemed like a simple thing, Gene Fleming was looking for a home for Honey (the 1947 Snipe built by Clark Mills and sailed to the 1951 National Championship by Francis Seavy) and wanted to donate it to Heritage Village. The Village, Pinellas County’s 21-acre living history museum, already had the Clark Mills designed… Continue reading A Snipe named Honey, and the birth of a new center for the maritime history of Pinellas County Florida
life boat conversion to day cruiser
This Project was done for the Bon Appetit Restaurant in Dunedin FL, while I was working at Clearwater Bay Marine Ways in the early 80’s. Was re-powered with a Westerbeke diesel, and CG approved for passengers to be used for sunset cruises. The unconfirmed rumor was that the boat was from the Normandie, it does look like… Continue reading life boat conversion to day cruiser