If you’ve ever wondered how those beautiful Maine lobster boats and their pleasureboat sisters are put together, step by step, out of wood, here’s a video you shouldn’t miss. It was shot by our videographer friend Jeff Dobbs who has produced a number of other great videos that, like this one, center around Mt. Desert Island, in Maine, where he lives. Boatbuilder Robert “Chummy” Rich is the subject here, and we think you’ll enjoy watching him build the 28’ plank-on-frame ANDROMEDA from scratch, and learn a lot as well.
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Clay Ford says:
I have been in love with wooden boats ever since I read Treasure Island, Mutiny on the Bounty, and I found several stacks of old Rudder magazines discarded from the college library at the college campus where I grew up. Always thought the lines of a Maine lobster-man were very easy on the eye.
Glad to know folks like Chummy Rich are still around, and younger dreamers are following in their footsteps.
John Holt says:
I bought a DVD of this video in SW Harbor, but it’s nice to have it included on the OCH website. It’s a joy to behold the beautiful product of such dedicated craftsmanship. I have a question. Chummy comments on the graceful ‘tumblehome’ of the hull as it bends aft, and I agree that it looks great. I have experienced, however, that a boat with straighter lines when going in reverse seems to handle better. Does this tend to be true? And if so, why?
Maynard Bray says:
Hi John,
The tumblehome (topsides rolling inward) all takes place above the waterline, so has nothing to do with performance. It looks great, but contemporary lobster boats have abandoned it in favor of a wider aft deck that’ll carry more traps.
Lee Fox says:
January 9th on a cold day in Maine this was great video to watch by the fire, thanks for sharing this story.