Winter/Spring 2012

Swampscott Dory - the 2012 Raffle Boat     

The decision to build the Swampscott dory as this year's raffle boat was made in mid-January.  By the end of the month Jim Riter was on-hand to hold the first of many classes in lofting.  With the lines clearly laid out we were able to make patterns for the four pair of sawn ribs.  We have had several false starts, otherwise known as mistakes, which were clearly marked as learning experiences. As of this writing the bevels have been cut on each rib with each being fastened at the appropriate station. The stem and transom have been bolted into place.  The whole assembly is ready to be turned over, mounted on the strongback and bolted to the floor for further work.

The remainder of February and much of March will see our efforts devoted to spiling out the five planks, cutting the gains on each end and mounting them on the hull frame.  Our objective is to have the boat completed by Memorial Day weekend.

 

2011 Raffle Boat Winner - Sunshine Tender  

On December 17th, 2011 many people gathered for our annual Holiday Open House with wine and cheese and, of course, to see who would win the 2011 raffle boat, a Sunshine tender, that was built at the Community Boat Shop. Kent Miller, our master of raffle drawings, gathered a group of youngsters, in order to select one who would draw the winning ticket. A young lad was picked up by his mother, and after a final spin of the mass of tickets, he reached into the drum and pulled out the winning ticket.  The winner was Jonathan Russo, a long-time summer resident of Shelter Island, who is one who appreciates wooden boats and has written a column for the Shelter Island Reporter on boating activity on the island.  

 

A few days later, when notified by phone that he won the Sunshine tender, he claimed to have known all along that he would be the winner. He came to the shop on a Saturday to pick up his prize.  Leaving before noon that day, he was able to launch the boat that very afternoon and have a grand row in Shelter Island waters. 

It has taken a good part of a year and many, many hours of dedicated volunteers to bring this boat back to new condition.  A group of volunteers lead by Pierce Hance literally took the boat apart, removing every screw in the hull, replacing twenty one ribs, adding a new oak centerboard trunk, a new deck covered in Dynel and new oak transom.  All of the hardware was brought back to new brass brightness.  The original trim was taken down to bare wood and re-varnished with many coats. And to top it all off, the boat has been christened the Molly Gann after a long-time resident of Gann Road from the 1800's. Gann Road is at the edge of 3 Mile Harbor where the Molly Gann will have her sea trials this spring.  Ginny Geradi has added the Molly Gann name to the transom in gold leaf outlined in the green of the hull. The Molly Gann will be a welcome addition to the boats that are available for members' use.

Yet, another boat?? Yes, the volunteers who have brought the Beetle Cat back to life have now begun the construction of a Bevin's skiff, a kit boat that was given to us many years ago by the Pfizer drug company. The Bevin's skiff is a 10 foot sharpie that was designed for the family boat building programs of the WoodenBoat magazine and is produced by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation. This is a fine rowing boat for the creeks and harbors of the East End.

 

This boat is for sale. The proceeds will be used to offset the operating expense of the boat shop. Anyone interested should contact Ray at 631-324-2490.