Preview: Spring Launch, A New Season Begins

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Ahhh spring. A fresh coat of paint for the topsides and in she goes!

The style of this video is new twist for us — somewhere between our minimalist Slow August videos and the ones where we dive into every detail in a full tour of a boat. If we pursue more videos with this style, they will let you come along to see more of the wonderful things that Benjamin Mendlowitz and Maynard Bray get to see everyday.  So let us know what you think…

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You can leave a comment or question for OCH and members below. Here are the comments so far…

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48 Responses So Far to “Spring Launch, A New Season Begins”

  • Avatar

    John Swansey says:

    Loved it. Seeing a bit of the loving care applied by an owner in real-time, the chance to ogle the lines both above and below the waterline, and lastly see her under way in perfect surroundings. Really captures the feeling. I remember by back yard smelling of linseed oil as my father painted and caulked our ragtag fleet of skiffs in the spring, teaching me a bit at at time. Great memories.

  • Avatar

    Jay Panetta says:

    Meg, it was a distinct pleasure to be invited aboard Malachi Mudge in Benjamin River last summer. Thank you for the gracious hospitality, and we shall hope to see you again this season. You’re easy to spot, as your fine vessel is quite distinctive—and always beautifully kept. The Newbert and Wallace pedigree is as good as it gets, and you’re doing great honor to the heritage through your devoted stewardship.

    • Avatar

      Meg Davis Maiden says:

      Thank you, Jay! It was fun to host you last summer. The 2023 season is off and running…hope to see you out there.

  • Avatar

    Paul Cammaroto says:

    There are Dream Boats and now Dream Boat shops. Loved the footage on The Reach.
    I wonder if you can do a segment on Billy Grant, if you have a camera fast enough.
    Thanks for All you Share

  • Steve Stone

    Steve Stone says:

    Thanks to everyone expressing desire to see more of the boat and the shop. Both of these are on our list to pursue, so all in good time, hopefully.

  • Avatar

    Kodi Traver says:

    Agreed, is there more video footage to share?

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    Larry Cheek says:

    I want to see a long and detailed tour of that boatshop. As someone who built a 26’7″ LOA cutter in a 24′ long garage (rudder and bowsprit were attached AFTER it moved outside) I now have a serious case of architecture envy.

    In fact, I’d like to see a whole string of boat workshop tours—both large and compact.

  • Avatar

    Kamin Lambertson says:

    Any engine refurbishment happen there? tanks all good after winter passed? is there a spring cleaning before this that would address any mildew issues? varnish work looked great! how far does the Owner tend to go during the summer? What horse power is best for that size boat in those waters? anchor size(s) and ground tackle… just curious. What is the story of the build. This video was a perfect teaser to want to know more about that (type of) boat! Nice, relaxing, but my wanna has stirred up my gonna on this one; only probably in the Pac NW.. still..

  • Avatar

    Bill Theurkauf says:

    Just beautiful! Definitely more of these. And I second the request for a tour of that amazing boathouse!

  • Avatar

    Kaci Cronkhite says:

    Sigh. Dream. Warmed to the core. Thanks for taking us along, Ben! Like others, I’m heartened by the camaraderie, care, and calm. And, that building! How lucky you are to have such glorious boathouses and transport/launch options. Loved it! Say hi to Robin;)

  • Avatar

    Eric J Nelson says:

    I was first enamored with that boat, whew she’s a honey. Then I watched again because I saw that building she is in. Oh, to have a cup of coffee or cold beers in that space. Feels like an artists abode for sure.

  • Avatar

    Brent Williams says:

    Wow what a beautiful vessel and how awesome it is to have friends help you with the work and up keep. Instead of always wanting to go out and enjoy it.
    Great job

  • Avatar

    David Rawls says:

    Painters are all romantics! Even the ones who paint boats! Lovely stroking and blending with ‘cutting’ left to the expert. Caress is an interesting word. Not one I thought I’d ever use about painting a hull. However.? It seems appropriate here. So glad you gave use the chance to ponder! She moved along smartly too! Bon Voyage Malachi Mudge! Smooth sailing all year! Thanks guys. You da best!

  • Avatar

    Barbara Woll Jones says:

    Thoroughly enjoyed this video about Malachi Mudge and look forward to the fall follow up !

  • Avatar

    Ian Douglas says:

    Lovely video! Very enjoyable.
    Reggae is great to work by, especially painting!

  • Avatar

    Beau Vrolyk says:

    Thank you. This is a lovely video. I too spend hours maintaining our old schooner. The observation that there’s plenty of “time for thought” is perfect. There is also the simple matter that I’d much rather push sandpaper than lift weights in a gym. Hand sanding the rail cap or cabin side before applying varnish is the best possible way to make a detailed inspection of how the wood is fairing. As long as I can do the work, I will.

  • Avatar

    Doug Day says:

    I also maintain a boat built in 1958 (VALENCIA, Olin Stephens) and the more I learn the rougher I’m willing to settle for, primarily because my concerns run to fuel injectors and shift cables rather than topsides) but I maintain an abnormal interest in 1958 (See Jazz on a Summer’s Day movie) when Valencia was in the B-roll in the background of the America’s Cup when the contenders weren’t all that different from normal yachts. Love to see Malachi Mudge show up on Swan’s Island, Aug 2-4, 2022 for Sweet Chariot this summer. Cheers, Doug Day

    • David Tew

      David Tew says:

      VALENCIA is one of my favorite S&S designs. I’ve admired her in Rockport harbor (if that’s where she still moors).

      And the photos of Bryan Kearns shop: wow.

      • Avatar

        Doug Day says:

        David, speaking of the mooring in Rockport. I was on SARGO’s mooring (recently sold in Portugal). Do we know of any yachtsman in Rockport whose mooring is not occupied in 2023? Also, I’m putting in a new mooring in Mackerel Cove on Swan’s Island. I go back and forth a lot. Having spent May with fuel injectors, heat-exchangers, thru-hulls etc. my varnish brush is ready but the 40 degrees this morning and wet is not conducive! Let the sun shine in! Hope to see you on the water. DD

        • David and Margaret Tew

          David and Margaret Tew says:

          We just launched last Friday in anticipation of taking friends from Virginia to our outer islands and to dock at the shore-side chapel where Margaret and I were married the summer after college almost fifty years ago. He (our guest) was the one I wanted to be our best man but he lived on the West Coast at the time so I hesitated to ask him to come back east. Like you I needed to do some preventive engine work before launching: checking the glow plugs, swapping out the heat exchanger, cleaning out the raw water intake, etc. It all worked out, the engine firing right up at launch. So satisfying. Now to reprogram the GPS chart plotter which is stumping me with whatever that weirdness is the screen is showing! Thank goodness for NOAA charts as ‘backups’.

        • David and Margaret Tew

          David and Margaret Tew says:

          I wish I knew someone in Rockport who had a spare/empty mooring.

    • Avatar

      Doug Day says:

      Ha! Just as I was about to comment on this video, I saw my comment from one year ago; so, all I have to do is change the date of the Invitation to Sweet Chariot: Aug, 1,2,3 in 2023! Burnt Coat Harbor for shanties on 1 and 2. Malichi Mudge has four tickets waiting for Thursday night. Yer money’s no good heah!

  • Avatar

    Kate Patterson says:

    Well I for one vote for more of what Ben saw when he happened upon the Malachi Mudge story. I love the way the story unfolds in visual moments, it’s not till she has launched and is headed to the mooring that voice over starts…elegant and worthy of the subject.
    Bravo team!

  • Scott Sellick

    Scott Sellick says:

    Some things are best done alone; other things, “with others”. I particularly enjoyed the moments when one of the painters (person, not rope) couldn’t help but ‘groove to the music’. Delightful! Thank you, as always . . . !

  • Avatar

    Jay Knight says:

    Wow! Beautiful boat, boat house, and boating community!

  • Avatar

    Keith Morrison says:

    Yes please, may we have more?
    I couldn’t agree more that doing the work you’re self makes the sailing even more enjoyable.

  • Avatar

    Robert Hazard says:

    Oh, that was fun to watch! It’s nice to see people working happily together on a handsome boat and listening to music as they go.
    And what a great shop! We need to take a video tour of that place, please!

  • Avatar

    Bruce Freifeld says:

    This wonderful video made my day. Beautiful in all ways- thanks for sharing!
    Best,
    Bruce
    Riverdale, Bronx

  • Avatar

    Conbert Benneck says:

    Ah, all the wonderful memories this brings to an “old” sailor.
    The new sailing season begins!
    Thanks.

  • Avatar

    Steve Brookman says:

    Nicely done neighbor. It’s great seeing her back on her mooring, boating season is upon us.

  • Avatar

    Kent and Skipper says:

    Wonderful vessel and she has a little Nutshell following her around. The things that dreams are made of.

  • Avatar

    David Yeowart says:

    Beautiful workshop, beautiful boat, great friends. and I thought I was in paradise. well done.

  • Avatar

    Diane Pool says:

    Beautiful…the friendships, the care given to personally maintaining a loved member of the family, their graceful Malachi Mudge, and the added bonus of glimpsing an equally impressive work of honest art–Bryan Kearn’s Boat Shop.

    Yes! Please continue to illuminate the intrinsic rewards of ‘loving your work’ rather than simply enduring it.

    • Avatar

      Ben Mendlowitz says:

      Welcome Philip, the Newbert & Wallace boats were built as affordable summer power cruisers. Not as fancied up as the Bunker & Ellis ones done for the Northeast Harbor crowd, but well built, durable and seaworthy just the same. Do you now have a lobster yacht down under? I still fondly remember my time, and your gracious hosting, at your beautiful home. Cheers, Ben

    • Avatar

      John Wujack says:

      Agreed. I’d love to see more about this boat.

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