Preview: A Different Kind of Lobster Yacht with Tom Townsend

40 Responses So Far to “A Different Kind of Lobster Yacht with Tom Townsend”

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  John Delk says:

  Just the perfect boat, but can a wooden lobster boat survive South Florida and The Bahamas year round?

  If not, could it survive the winter months if stored indoors during the summer?

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  Rod Carr says:

  I think this was the fourth time I’ve watch this video over the years. It never gets old. Looking forward to seeing Tom and his boats soon at the WoodenBoat Show in Mystic later this month.

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  Richard Mander says:

  Can anyone provide a link or pointer to the ‘manual air horn’
  I’d like to get one.
  Thanks, Richard

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  Ian Latham says:

  Beautiful boats made even more beautiful by amazing details, finish, and paint. Fabulous!

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  Dan Eales says:

  These boats are beautiful! What is the model at :29? The open cockpit with the small canvas top and motor cover. Thank you for these videos.

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  James Howard Means II says:

  Tom, I was advised by Interlux that their Brightside paints could not be tinted by Sherman Williams, etc. due to compatibility. How do you mix your colors? I live in Florida where varnish is a real problem. Thanks.

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  bryan wilson says:

  hi tom – just saw this and loved it. in the background there is one of your two smaller outboard boats that were featured in Woodenboat. i have admired these since i saw them. do you sell plans for these? being in new zealand that would be the only way i could get one?

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  Harry H Risley says:

  Tom, I love your boats, specially the green one! what a marvelous craft. The colors are amazing, it is easy to tell you are an artist.

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  Michael Hosier says:

  Air Horn Link
  https://www.buellairhorns.com/buell-self-powered-horn

  Very cool. Want one for my boat. I like simple.

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  Mark Reuten Mark Reuten says:

  Hi Tom, the Wooden Boat article on you has been glued into my mind for years and seeing this video just adds to it. Your approach has been inspirational to me and I strive to follow it on every boat I build. I used Allback paint on the last project that demanded a muted pallet but it was difficult to work with in some ways. Are you using additives to knock the sheen back on your paints? Out my way (British Columbia) all the main brands come in only high gloss including those you mentioned in an earlier reply.

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  Walter Connolly says:

  Ok, now I would like to see how he builds these beautiful boats.

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  Richard MacKinnon says:

  Tom:

  When I get too old to sail my beloved Crocker sloop I want one of your boats! Beautiful!

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  Harry Hammond says:

  Hi Tom—I am intrigued by the roof on your trunk cabin(s)…are they plywood? And if so, how do you treat the edges of the lovely subtle overhang? If it’s ply, one would expect the typical edge banding. I am right at this spot on my build, and am considering your approach…nice and clean!

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  Alan Ball says:

  Beautiful boat and wonderful video. You have a great color sense. I admired your boats at the show from a kayak in the river. They looked like beautiful little birds bobbing in the water.

  That visor is really cool, can you tell me how it is made? It has quite a sophisticated profile, and it sweeps over the crowned roof. Is it essentially a curved custom milled molding bent to match the roofline?

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    Tom Towsend says:

    Hi Alan,
    The visor on Laurie Jean is 1/2 ” plywood with a wedge of mahogany at the top blended into the visor top with thickened epoxy,and the fwd edge is a trim piece on the top,moulded to a 1/2 round profile for a drip edge.Basically trial and error.More trial than error luckily.Takes a while to figure this nonsense out!Glad you like it!
    Best,Tom

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  Fritz Seegers says:

  I’m a sailor stuck in a port during a gale on the Great Lakes and I came across this on the internet. What a beautiful concept . . . a simple lobster boat with earthy colors. Yes, Tom is right, daylight changes the colors on his boat. What a genius to break with the traditional does and don’ts and use it on such a simple, utilitarian boat as the lobster boat even though its a motorboat. There’s nothing wrong with that. This made my day. And thanks Eric for taking the time for a great production as this.

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    Steve Stone says:

    Hey Fritz. Thanks for painting us a picture of where you’re watching this from. While we all think of this a breaking with tradition, I heard Tom, Maynard and Erik talking a lot about how this type of simple painting (with no varnish) is actually the tradition of these work boats. Somehow we’ve all let the “norm/tradition” become high gloss finishes with acres of varnish… which certainly add to the cost and time to maintain.

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  Robert Saul Isenberg says:

  I saw the Lobster Yachts at Mystic and loved the colors. I’ve always loved color contrast or slight changes of hue, the subtleties. If it’s not going to be a white hull why dark blue or green? Or Black? Unless fishing off Virgin Rock or Sable Island and you’re looking for warmth.
  I live aboard a Webbers Cove 34, 1968 that was finished in Florida as a raised pilot house cockpit motor yacht. Although the hull is glass she is wood from the bilge and sheer up. The interior is mahogany and beautifully jointed. She’s powered with a Perkins 6 cyl and is quite comfortable for cruising and for live aboard.

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    David Tew says:

    Pineapples are a symbol of welcoming and hospitality. They were nice to see and that’s why I thought you had them aboard at the shows. It was more appealing than a ‘Take Off Your Shoes If You Intend To Come Aboard’ warning.

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      Tom Towsend says:

      Hi David,
      Right you are,they are the sign for hospitality and welcome.Thats the other half of the reason they’re on board.Color comes first and folks are always welcome to come aboard!Shoes as well.
      Thanks,
      Tom

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  David Tew says:

  Did Alice W. belong to Jamie Houtz? If so, it’s great to see her all ‘new’ again.

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    Tom Towsend says:

    Yes she did.

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      David Tew says:

      Has Alice W. been sold to someone on Southport Island, Maine? I believe is saw her on a mooring in Townsend Gut (appropriately!)

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  Jon Arcuni says:

  This video made my day. It just goes to show that there is great beauty in simplicity. The color concepts are fascinating. I was in Mystic two weeks ago but sorry I missed your boat. Thanks,Tom, and best regards from Boquete, Panama.

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  Robert Autio says:

  A question. Tom mentioned that he mixes “dirt” in the paint. I assume he meant a brown paint. If my assumption is correct, what shades of brown? Beautiful boat, wood working, and paint. It all comes together. Thanks for video.

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    Tom Towsend says:

    Throw some tan,or buff in more than brown,but brown is a must in darker colors.You want to try and back off the primary colors.It softens the the brightness,Get the color wheel out buy your favorite colors and have at it!

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  gregorio cheskis says:

  Again, can’t stop watching. Beautifull.

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  Eli Baird says:

  Truly one of a kind! The man and the his boats. Tom, thanks for the insight into the mind of great craftsman and artist.

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  Scott McDonald says:

  Tom, you know how to take an already beautiful piece of art to the next level. The colors and detail of your work are impeccable.

  Another fine video, OCH!

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  Peter Neill says:

  Be still my heart!

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  curt bovee says:

  Very nice. Thanks from PenBay Maine

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  John Simpkins says:

  Love the colors, Tom. I have a Chesapeake Bay Bugeye-(ish) that’s all white with a little bright work. Even though going with anything but all white is a little taboo, I’ve been thinking about how the right color combinations could enhance her appearance (and reduce or eliminate the bright work), so this video is a perfect fit. Once again, OCH, you nailed it.

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  Doug Wood says:

  Beautiful work, Tom!

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  Virginia Gerardi says:

  Wow! I get to relive my favorite weekend getaway over and over again! Always dreamed of owning a lobster “yacht”.

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  Patrick Beck says:

  These color schemes are lovely.. any info on the paints used? Are they custom mixed to achieve the color he wants?

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    Tom Towsend says:

    Some are Epiphanes, some are Interlux. Epiphanes color chart is huge, and allows you to mix just about anything you’re after.

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      Patrick Beck says:

      Thank you Tom.. I had commented on this before I even finished the video (before you discussed mixing the paints). Really lovely schemes though, I’m hoping to apply some of this to my own boat.

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  Capt. Peter Reich says:

  Saw Tom’s boats at the show. They are simple and gorgeous! He really has the touch with his custom colors. Do you have a source for the manual air horn in the video?

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    Tom Towsend says:

    Buell Horn Co. Go on line and call em! Grease the leathers every 10 years and your good according to Dr. Gilbert who had Albatross built. Mike Coyle is my good friend and coworker who owns Albatross now. See the last issue of WB.

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      Capt. Peter Reich says:

      Thanks Tom.