The Artisan Journal Volume 7 Issue 1

The Artisan Journal Newsletter of Artisan Boatworks and Artisan Yacht Sales July 2014 Volume 7 / Issue 1 R E C E N T LY L AU N C H E D In mid-June and a week before the Wooden Boat Show, VIM, the 36' lobster yacht we rebuilt last winter, made the run from Maine to Mystic, CT, on her own bottom. The response to her at the show was tremendous—particularly with regard to the layout and installation of her extensive array of systems. VIM sports a Muir self-launching electric anchor windlass with helm control, a bow thruster, Vaccuflush head, microwave oven, refrigeration, auto pilot, and a surround-sound stereo, just to name a few. There are many fine candidates for this type of restoration, including the Down East 42, PEGASUS on our SAVE A CLASSIC page. Also, by working with various yacht designers, we can develop plans and build new versions of VIM. So contact us with your goals for a new downeast lobsteryacht. From 18foot outboard skiffs up to 50-foot cruisers, we can either locate and restore, or build new, the powerboat of your dreams. Many production fiberglass boats try to emulate these classic wooden lobsteryachts, but why not have the real thing? She is also super sound-insulated. Her working deck and engine box are built from sound-deadening plywood made by the Soundown crew of Salem, MA. Below that are two inches of Soundown foam insulation, an AquaDrive thrust bearing, custom wet exhaust muffler, and fully-gasketed deck hatches. The result is that while cruising at 16 knots, her helmsperson can carry on a normal conversation without raising his or her voice. In fact, during sea trials, the stern wave made more noise than the 240hp turbo-diesel humming along at 3300 rpm! The other boat we had on display at this year’s WoodenBoat Show (and delivered immediately afterwards) was GULL, a Fisher’s Island 24 built by the famous Henry B. Nevins yard in 1922. Outside this high-tech infrastructure is a wonderfully pure classic lobsteryacht from the 1960s. All surfaces are painted (no varnish!) with a blend of matte and gloss sheens that were custom mixed by our friends at Epifanes in nearby Thomaston. All metalwork and hardware is bronze, much of it custom fabricated by Joel Cox at Rockport Marine. Some of the more extreme measures include electroplating the stainless steel shore power plug with bronze, fitting a short length of copper pipe over the base of the VHF antenna, and installing slate veneer from Sheldon Slate over the tops of the galley counter and engine box. We replaced all of GULL’s frames and floor timbers, her keel and deadwood, deck, and coamings. “Why,” might you ask, “would anyone choose to replace that much of a boat instead of simply starting from scratch?” Several reasons: First, it’s less expensive; and second, by preserving all of the planking, longitudinal stringers, and spars, we were able to maintain GULL’s patina—and thus her connection with the VIM really needs to be seen for one to fully appreciate her level of detail, and if you’re in Newport this summer, you can see her moored just off the Ida Lewis Yacht Club. Or you can check out VIM’s photo gallery under PAST PROJECTS at ArtisanBoatworks.com. 416 Main Street • Rockport, Maine 04856 • ArtisanBoatworks.com • 207.236.4231