Boatshop Reports
Captain Rick Franke's monthly Boatshop Reports feature news on new boat builds, maintenance, and boat restorations from area boatbuilders and shops across Maryland and Virginia.
May 17, 2017
In PropTalk’s monthly Boatshop Reports, we chronicle regional boat builders’ projects in progress, many of which are custom-made for their clients. We reached out to a handful of custom boat builders…
May 8, 2017
One of the most enjoyable aspects of assembling this column every month is the great variety of projects and stories that come my way.
April 14, 2017
The worst of this strange and unpredictable winter is finally behind us. The winter boat shows are winding down, and the spring shows are just around the corner.
March 16, 2017
Winter is nearly over, the ospreys will be returning shortly, and the spring round of boat shows is on the horizon.
October 18, 2016
In Part Three of “Return to the Classics,” I’ll update the progress being made on my 1948 Chris-Craft 25-foot Sportsman boat restoration project by Wooden Boat Restoration in Millington, MD.
June 10, 2016
Our reluctant and windy spring has finally departed, and summer has arrived at last.
May 23, 2016
“There’s a lot of winging it,” says Jack Elstner about the boatbuilding project he’s conducting in his Kent Island garage.
May 13, 2016
Howard Johnson and Whirlwind boats have several things in common. Johnson was born in the immediate aftermath of World War II, as were Whirlwind Boats.
May 12, 2016
The days are longer and warmer, the roadside signs advertising shrink wrap have been replaced by signs for slip rentals and sailing lessons, and our boatyards are once again bustling and full of do-it
May 3, 2016
In Part One, published in the February 2016 issue of PropTalk, I wrote about the acquisition of my new-to-me boat, a
April 15, 2016
It’s been 20 years since I took on a boat restoration project of this magnitude, attempting to restore a 1948 Chris-Craft 25-foot Sportsman.
March 31, 2016
The days are getting longer, the record setting snow has melted, the ospreys have returned to Chesapeake country. Spring cannot be far behind.
March 7, 2016
Few names in the history of boat design inspire the awe of the Rybovitch legend.
February 16, 2016
February 4, 2016
February is oyster season on the Chesapeake. Old timers will tell you that cold water makes plump oysters.