Page 24. MAINE COASTAL NEWS June 2012 Seventies Memories: Crews Continued By Lee S. Wilbur
“Don’t worry about the little stuff”, Albert Farley would tell the carpenters, “That’s my job. Leave the final sanding and filling to me. I’ll take care of you.” And he did. Albert came to work for us in the late seventies, followed by his son Scott two years later who had participated in the High School co/op or OJT program for two months before graduation. Painting and varnishing are really the fourth and final step in building a boat. There’s building the components, installing the engine along with hookup and wiring/plumbing, finish carpentering, then paint and varnish. None more important to the overall project than another. However, a bad P&V job can mean the difference between a “so-so boat” and a yacht finish. And, not all painters, like any craftsmen have that extra gift, that touch. Albert did. He could make us “look good.
Albert was not only exceptionally talented at his profession, he was dedicated. As in virtually all boat building operations that I’ve ever been acquainted with or have talked with yard owners, we all share the
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same stories of crash deadlines stemming from any number of delays for supplies, equipment, owner add-ons (“Now that won’t take you much longer will it? Or, “Can we still meet that deadline if I decide to add air conditioning?”). P&V guys have it the worst. They’re the last. Launch is a month away and P&V takes time to dry in a dust free (sometimes), calm environment (never). There are last minute additions, final wiring, someone drills a hole in the wrong place and P&V has to work in this ridiculous so we in the end can step back and take the hopeful congratulations, saying “Oh it was nothing. We really enjoyed working on your boat.” When I say Albert was dedicated, I mean just that. Where would you find someone who would, on there own, ask to come to work at 3 AM, put in 8 to 10 hours at a stretch, work close to 24 if needed, drop in to work the odd two or three for prep during his off hours and never complain. Told me often that he enjoyed the night work. Could get more done without having to work around the other crewmembers, and, the dust had settled into a “more calm environment” if there really is such a thing in a boat shop.
One of our owners who I still see occasionally, always delights in relating how exquisite the final finish was on his boat, “Night Music”. Mentions how Albert came in nights to work on it and how on the last coat of varnish, late at night, unbeknownst to Albert, a mosquito had been varnished into an out of the way place in the galley (late summer launch) He and his wife were determined that the mosquito should stay and they named it “Albertina” in Albert’s
honor. Albert was not thrilled, but what could he say.
I realized early on when hiring people to work at the yard that if I could hire a person with good work ethics, there would more than possibly be others in the family with the same morals and ethics. Albert’s family was a prime example. His daughter Lisa, following in her father’s footsteps was a fine painter. His son Chris worked for us while going to high school, then went on to a very successful career in the insurance field. His oldest son, Scott, one of the quickest learners and highest producers of fine finish work I have been privileged to know, came to work on the High School OJT program, working from noon until quitting time. It wasn’t but a few years when Scott had moved up to running our joinery shop. A year or so later he decided to try house building with his father-in-law and though I hated to lose him, realized he was young and would have to chart his own course. Within a year he was back. “There wasn’t the challenge”, He said. Much later, in the “90’s” Scott decided to start a joinery shop on his own, and again with my blessings we agreed that he would subcontract the bulk of our off boat joinery such as doors, drawers, mouldings, etc. He continues to do the same today with more emphasis on home cabinetry. He’s built a fine business with an exceptional reputation.
As I mentioned earlier, P&V is not easy. You can cover a lot of sins with paint. But when it comes to varnish, your “soul” is laid bare. Any imperfection, God Forbid, is right there for anyone to see, enshrined in a glass finish. Varnishers have to achieve virtual perfection in their pursuit of a great
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reputation. The best are flown to all parts of the ocean plying their profession. I would make the statement that varnishing is more than knowing a craft. Knowing, and having the patience to sand and apply up to 14 coats of that clear liquid is just part way there. The rest is a gift. As hard as I’ve tried over the years I could not get a good varnish job if my life depended on it. Varnish looks like I’ve dragged a rope over it when I’m done. Why now I paint just about everything. We had contracted to build a 61' yacht of which at least 90% was varnished teak. Along with other boats under construction, this project placed a good deal of pressure on the Paint and Varnish crew. We advertised, as we’d seldom done, for more experienced help. Guy by the name of “Wes” Burgess came through the door one afternoon and asked if we had any work. (He hadn’t seen the ad.). We talked and I quickly realized he had experience. Asked him when he could start. “Tomorrow, I’ve got to go get my brushes.” He hitch hiked to wherever that was, was there at starting time next morning, and proceeded to set up a varnish area off the flared starboard bow under a curtain of plastic. One would think it to be enclosed. It was not. How he achieved what he did, flawless varnish work, amongst all the fiberglass and wood dust, shed doors open to humid or moving outside air, crews working long hours, is still a mystery to me. Wes was one who had “the touch, the gift”.
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18’ MAY-CRAFT 1800 SKIFF, 2012. With 2012 90 hp Yamaha Four Stroke Outboard and 2012 Venture Trailer. This is a new boat offered by Casco Bay Yacht Sales, Freeport, Maine, (207) 865-4103;
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57’ WESMAC. 6170 Lugger 700 hp, 2650 total time – 10 gal hour. Full
18’ EASTERN CENTER CONSOLE. New 2012 Limited Edition. Powered by a 70 hp Yamaha four stroke engine. Includes EZ Loader trailer. The Eastern 18 is the Royal Lowell design that started it all 30 years ago. With her round chine and full keel, you couldn’t ask for a more sea kindly ride. Over the years the 18’ Classic has progressed to all composite construction and increased freeboard. $23,875. Trades welcome. Call Steve or Andy at Yarmouth Boat Yard (207) 846-9050.
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18’ MAY-CRAFT 1820 CENTER CONSOLE, 2012. With 2012 115 hp Yamaha Four Stroke Outboard and 2012 Venture Trailer. This is a new boat offered by Casco Bay Yacht Sales, Freeport, Maine, (207) 865-4103;
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18’ MARITIME SKIFF, 2000. Honda 90 hp 4-stroke – 460 hours, Radio, Fish finder, GPS, Upholstered leaning post, Stern fish platform, Storage under, Caulkins trailer. Newton, MA. One owner. $15,500. Call Bob (603) 382-0438.
19’ MAY-CRAFT 1900 CENTER CONSOLE, 2012. With 2012 115 hp Yamaha Four Stroke Outboard and 2012 Venture Trailer. This is a new boat offered by Casco Bay Yacht Sales, Freeport, Maine, (207) 865-4103;
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