The time has changed, the socks have been burned, the ospreys have returned, and the spring boat shows are behind us. Spring is finally here! Area boatshops are making the spring transition and planning strategies to survive the “launching frenzy.” While still optimistic, many shops are reporting a slight slowdown and a certain caution among customers with an eye on the current economic situation.
We’ll start off this month with a brief update from David Jr. from Evans Boat Repairing in Crisfield, MD. “I haven't been in touch recently because there hasn't been a whole lot to report since our last one. We are still working to finish up on a new Custom 50-footer being built for a customer out of Rhode Island. We are continuing to stay busy with smaller refurbishment jobs but are noticing a slowing down in the industry. We are still booked out with a good amount of jobs including cabin builds, deck and topside refurbs, and paint jobs. We are also starting to pick up some speed on the railway side of things as our local watermen are preparing to make the transition from oystering to crabbing. We are looking forward to a busy season and are hopeful for an economic boom soon!”
Jake Glover of Ferry Point Marina in Trappe, MD, checks in with a seasonal update. “By the time mid-April comes around, commissioning, bottom painting, detailing, and launch season is underway. Certified Pettit and Interlux applicators are busy getting products applied. Our team of mechanics, including two Yamaha master techs, are working hard getting boats commissioned and delivered. Detailers are cleaning, waxing, and putting the season's shine on. Winter projects are complete. The paint shop was busy with Awlgrip and Awlcraft applications. Mechanics had several repowers including Yamaha and Cummins. The driveline specialists had plenty of engine mounts, cutlass bearings, and shaft seals to service or replace. A custom 37-foot deadrise received almost a complete refit, and a 55-foot Jarret Bay had a long winter list completed.
“Keep our crew in mind for your summer needs. Certified applicators and mechanics are here year-round. We also offer marine refrigeration and air conditioning, service, repair, and installation.”
Andy Dize of Roudebush Yacht and Engine Works in Dundalk, MD, brings us up to date on some of his shop’s projects. “Hope all have kept warm over the winter. Even though the chilly weather limited our exterior facility improvement efforts, we secured a number of projects over the winter to be off to a great year. For our current projects, the Sea Otter 18 refurbishment is moving into the mechanical and electrical hook-up phase. The existing transom reconfiguration was completed to accommodate the 150-hp jet ski propulsion plant. For the topside fiberglass repair of a 28-foot Chris-Craft Heritage Express, we completed the Flag Blue Awlgrip painting of the hull sides. Next up for this project is to refresh the hard coat bottom paint.
“Regarding new work opportunities, we have a couple in progress. For a Mako 21 center console, we are doing a general engine repair and hull refurbishment. We also have started a project to build two aluminum 28-foot workboats for a local diving company. The boats will be powered by twin 150-hp Suzuki outboards. This project is in the NC cutting machine stage and the assembly of hull components. We have an eye on completing the first boat in about four months. In addition to the current work we have lined up, we are also looking into long-term opportunities for the new Key Bridge. We are actively looking into boat repair, maintenance, and dockage support opportunities for the bridge project. Please reach out to Andy to discuss your boat repair or maintenance needs. RY&EW can lift and repair boats up to 44 feet long in our climate-controlled facilities.”
Jim Weaver of Weaver Boatworks in Deale, MD, reports on a busy season. “We have five major projects going. We are building a Weaver 80 which is in the fitting-out shop at Herrington Harbour North. Also under construction is a Weaver 64, a 41-foot center console, a Weaver 41 Flybridge, and a 65-foot project for the federal government.
A late-night browse through the internet produced a brokerage ad for a 1990 Mast and Mallet Pocket Trawler!? This sparked an early morning email to Joe Reid of Mast and Mallet in Edgewater, MD. Joe replied immediately. “I remember that build; early days of new construction for Mast and Mallet. It was an Atkin design. A good friend’s father-in-law purchased the plans and asked me to build it. I had only been building my 22-foot Chesapeake skiffs at that time. This Atkin design was a step up for me. It had an interior layout for bunks and galley, exterior cabin sides, windshield and overhang, and a cozy cockpit with an engine compartment located below deck. Power was supplied by a 24-hp Buhk diesel. It had a big transom that supported an outboard-hung rudder attached to a full keel. She was hard-chined with Chesapeake style cross planking. I believe I built her with Alaskan yellow cedar. I believe the design was called Martha Green. How did you hear of her? Still around?”
She is not only still around but is advertised for sale by an online brokerage and definitely does not look her age. Joe continued, “This project caused me to look around for a marine architect I could work with. I wanted to build more boats, and bigger boats. I was looking around for different architects who would work with me on different designs that I could build that were based on Chesapeake boats. Mike Kaufman agreed to work on a hull shape that was going to be a combination of Chesapeake deadrises and New England lobster boats. We came up with a concept which was the design of the first 30-footer. We had a customer who saw the design in Chesapeake Bay Magazine. He called me up and asked what it would take to build this boat. That was the first boat in the Thomas Point line. She’s now named Winsome and she’s sitting right outside. Mike Kaufman and I collaborated on 25 boats over the years.”
According to Hank Reiser of a very busy Marine Services LLC at Pocahontas Marina in Edgewater, MD, “The winter work’s not done and the spring work’s starting already. We are still finishing up our 17-foot Sportsman. We have installed a 1930s Chris-Craft Model K 95-hp flathead six in our 16-foot race boat special and are completing a 26-foot Lyman Awlgrip job. We also have a 26-foot Sea Skiff in for some plank replacement work, and a 1946 Custom Craft that’s a basket case. The 52-foot Midnight Lace is back for some additional work, and we have about a dozen relaunch work orders already. That doesn’t usually happen till mid-April.”
Hank does feel that the current turmoil in the economic news has had some impact on his business. “Things have slowed down a bit. A few people are not renewing. We still have plenty of service work to keep us busy, but I think the mood has changed a bit compared to the last couple of years; people are being a bit more cautious.”
Speaking of caution, just a few reminders to our DYI readers. The water is still cold, even if the air is comfortably warm, so watch your step on docks and decks. If you are painting your bottom, remember not to move jack stands or blocks. Always call one of the yard employees to do that. And lastly, dispose of used shrinkwrap responsibly. Check with marina management or the Marine Trades Association of Maryland office for recycle options.
By Capt. Rick Franke