ANSWERS TO:
“Why I Renewed My Membership to
Off Center Harbor”
“Why I Renewed My Membership to
Off Center Harbor”
Off Center Harbor members typically stay with us for many years,
so we enjoy asking them why they renew their memberships.
Here are some of the responses we’ve received in 2024…
so we enjoy asking them why they renew their memberships.
Here are some of the responses we’ve received in 2024…
Off Center Harbor is where I go on a cold Sunday February afternoon when I am sitting by the fire, bored with football. I find the depth of your coverage, particularly your videos, very “reassuring” and “uplifting”. I am always in a better place when I get done with your website. I hope that says a lot.
Jeff P.
New Bedford, MA, USA
Quite simply, there is no other place where one can get all the information you folks offer in one stop. The articles, the videos, it’s absolutely the best. As a professional shipwright, boatbuilder and instructor, I want to have access to all the information you provide. Well done and thank you.
Sam L.
Seattle, WA, USA
Joining Off Center Harbor was much like the excitement I experienced the first time I went sailing many years ago.
The videos, the craftsmanship demonstrations, the peaceful scenes in nature, the stories of old salts and new adventurers like “Tom Robinson” what’s not to like?
Life is hard at times, but my laptop transports me into nature and boats. I’m always peaceful and calm after a visit to Off Center Harbor and the gorgeous videos waiting there for me like a trusted friend.
I am forever grateful for all that you do.
Kathy R.
La Mesa, CA, USA
Off Center Harbor embodies everything I love about boating, storytelling and filmmaking. It combines these things in a way that brings me home to myself every time.
Last year I built my first boat and even though it was a wooden “kit” boat, I found the information on OCH invaluable during the process.
Beyond the “how to” videos, I especially like the videos that share the dreams and stories of others who have a deep love and appreciation for everything nautical. Keep up the good work.
Jason P.
Marina Del Rey, CA, USA
You present the marine sector in ways that no other enterprise does. Everything you and your team produce is interesting and informative and I always return to your site with gleeful anticipation and leave filled with (oftentimes) new information but always with a strong sense of camaraderie and kinsmanship with fellow mariners.
So my renewal(s) have always been done, and will continue, as a means of expressing my thanks to you and your team for all that you do and contribute to the worldwide boating community; thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Neville D.
Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
For me OCH is the essential connection to the world of classic and wooden boats. The content is priceless, and the new website is spectacular. As a long-time life member, I’m glad to take part by sending along a contribution. Thanks to all of you for all you do.
Roger S.
Maryland, USA
What’s important to me is the quality of my time on the water, not the speed, and the aesthetic pleasure of a handmade vessel of natural materials allows the most pleasurable integration of human and water for me. In the madness of our times, what better? Hence when not actually on the water I enjoy Off Center Harbor.
Bruce C.
Friday Harbor, WA, USA
You deliver a fantastic product that not only increases my knowledge of well-designed boats, but equally as important, you provide a much-needed dose of sanity in today’s world. You have found a way to use the building, maintenance, operation, and repair of wooden boats as a means of grounding viewers in reality. Without an overt agenda, you allow viewers to relish the values of hard work, of tying a family or group of friends together through a vessel or activity, of seeing a tangible task through to completion, and of instilling in people a sense of beauty, form, and function. For all this and more, I thank you.
Rick L.
Vinalhaven, ME, USA
I renewed my subscription to OCH because of the outstanding quality of the stories you share, the breadth of experiences you all share from boatbuilding, to design, to simply the feeling of living a life in boats and on the water. I’ve spent almost all of my 64 years living in sight of the water and you all embody all that I hold most dear. Thanks for giving me inspiration and often a kick in the ass when I watch one of your videos to get me through the trial of workaday problems. I’m thankful to have OCH in my life. Good on ya.
Jim F.
Marshfield, MA, USA
I renewed my membership for many reasons:
1). I appreciate that your efforts help preserve important maritime skills, knowledge and traditions.
2). I REALLY enjoy your videos because are beautifully produced, edited and the subjects are of great interest to me. I especially love the “Start Off Slow, and Then Ease Off” videos as it reminds me to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of being on the water doing something I love.
3). Lastly, you (and your crew) are straight shooters, and humble, yet very knowledgeable. A rare combination in today’s world.
Robert L.
Riva, MD, USA
Reading OCH keeps me young and alert as the years advance :)
I log in often out of necessity for respite from a world that increasingly feels too out of trim. The Off Center Harbor boats, builders, skippers, and stories easily renew promises of natural balance and harmony … the rhythm and code on water.
Dick S.
Portland, OR, USA
What caused me to join? The video from Carol Hasse on How to Trim Sails (Part 2) really caught my eye. Delivered clearly. Precise use of wording, terms. Excellent. I had to see the other two in the series. And then the special offer email came, and I thought it was definitely worth the price even if I don’t see another video through the entire year (ASA courses cost twice as much as a year of Off Center Harbor).
Craig Cochran
Atlanta, GA, USA
I believe Off Center is the best resource for learning about building wooden boats. I’m a shop teacher in Chattanooga, Tn and have been building boats with my students for four years now. The series with Eric building the Off Center Skiff with students has been a huge help to me – along with many other videos you’ve made available.
Richard P.
Chattanooga, TN, USA