This one is about as good as it gets…
BEN HARRIS – BOATBUILDER:
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Wayne McCallum says:
Just watched the world news on the telly. Oh dear! It rattles your faith in humanity.
Had to come back and watch “From Timber to Tide” again to try to balance out the bad news.
Thanks Ben and Steve for bringing us Ben.
Wayne
Kirby Salisbury says:
Having built our own wooden sailing vessel from forest to floating and sailed her 33 years, we know Ben has been there. It’s hopeful to see the next generation follow in our footsteps. Beautiful film. Thanks for bringing it all back!
Burke Horner says:
Ben is both a philosopher and a sailor! What a fine combination as well as fine film! Much thanks and Happy Holidays to Off Center Harbor!
Neil Henderson says:
That’s my sort of boat Alva. Absolutely gorgeous & sails so well. Not surprisingly she is made of wood. Could we see more videos from the builder please?
Regards Neil
David L Schroeder says:
I loved this video! Thank you for sharing your talents and perspectives!
Wagner E Wagner says:
Very well done, enjoyed the peace
George McNeir says:
Wood
Design
Dedication
Detail
Delight
Depiction
Dreams alive
Bravo!
Richard Smith says:
Absolutely inspired. Thanks for sharing!
Jonathan Steel says:
Thanks for the Video. I learnt to sail in and go boating in wooden boats from an electric canoe to dinghys and racing keel boats to Risor an original sailing lifeboat, two more double enders and so on to my present old clinker launch. Wood makes a boat a special friend and helps build relationships with the people who work and sail with.
Tom Vogel says:
Well done, Ben. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
John "Jack" Detweiler says:
Enjoyed immensely this brief story of Ben’s philosophy on life and the life in wood and the water.
Leif Knutsen says:
There are two things early man/woman had to learn to go to sea. How to make rope and tie a knot. If you try to cross a body of water for greener pastures on a log your future is problematic.
Tie two logs together… Now you are on a roll…
Charles Zimmermann says:
I own a classic wooden boat built in Sweden in 1979 in a small workshop in the village of Kungsviken on the island of Orust, which is on the west coast of Sweden. The boat is a Koster 38 built by Thore Larsson. I am the second owner of the boat. According to the first owner, Mr. Larsson went out into the woods to look for the tree to use to build the mast, and he cut down the tree and brought it to the workshop. I think that was a tradition in Sweden in the first half of the 20th century, before fiberglass boats entered the market. Today the mast is in excellent shape, after 44 years, and I don’t think I’ll need to replace it.
Gary H. Cunningham says:
It pleases me to no end to see a good-looking young man like Ben pursuing and thoroughly enjoying the age-old profession of building wooden boats. We have a similar young man here in Michigan. His name is James Christie and he is as passionate and enthusiastic as Ben. It bodes well for the industry and heritage of something very important to me. Keep up the good work!
Alan Kane says:
If only more people were connected to our world’s natural wonders! There is a message in the message, and a great talent on display.
Mark McDonough says:
Boring.
Ted Truske says:
Have you lived enough to make that judgement?
Wayne McCallum says:
Jealous?
Wayne McCallum says:
For me this video is the best of the best Flotsam. I just watched it three times, just for the sheer pleasure of it all. I love Ben’s illustration of how the spirit of the tree is carried on to the living boat upon the sea. His skill as a boat builder is matched by his skill as a sailor, beautifully illustrated by his handling of the boat under sail, in close quarters and his skill as a filmmaker. Oh, and I loved Jonny’s musical accompaniment complimenting the whole scene.
Well done, Ben and many thanks, Steve.
Wayne, from Victoria, Australia.
Michael Barra says:
An absolutely amazing video in every way, philosophy, photography, knowledge gained over many generations about life, boats, wood, metals, ropes, the sea, the forests, and the absolute love of all of the above, together with the skills Ben developed from his earliest years to the present to be a very accomplished boat builder and all around human being! He appreciates life to the fullest, seeing many things that most of us don’t see or appreciate. Very inspiring! Henry David Thoreau would be proud of him!
Carey Turnbull says:
Beautiful film.
Stuart James says:
A magic video, full of heart and soul of a talented boat builder.