Getting Started in Boats > Home Boatshops
More Home Boatshops
Thanks to all who sent us photos and descriptions of home boatshops. You can read about three of our picks in Volume 12 of Getting Started in WB No. 204. Here are more great home boatshops that we thought you’d like to see:
Niko Economides thoughtfully harvested logs and then created this hand-hewn log cabin shop in the north woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Among its many strong points are its simple, open layout with no internal posts, all stationary tools on rollers, no “gimmicky” tools, a large, sturdy workbench, a large door, wood heat, and an excellent location, described as “Back in the woods, away from civilization.” Niko’s advice to anyone contemplating building a shop is to “Start simply and let your shop grow in response to your work; not the other way around.”
In another life, Joe Brusca’s workshop, located in the rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin, was a hardworking dairy barn. These days, Joe and his shop partner, Pat McCutcheon, have opened the shop to friends and neighbors who have built wooden canoes in their facility. A wood-fired forced-air furnace provides enough heat to the 30' x 60' structure for year-round building. Joe and Pat also build Adirondack guideboats and are expanding their hobby into a small business.
This clever arrangement comes from Neville Passmore in South Africa. His carport acts as the main shop while his cellar holds most hand tools and machinery. Note the well-placed openings that let in light, help with ventilation, and are a big help when moving long pieces in an otherwise small space.
Like a dream fort for a grown-up, Michael DeAngeli had this handsome structure erected for the purpose of building boats, housing cars, and providing an office space (on the second floor). Nicely appointed and well organized, this Rhode Island boatshop allows Michael to work comfortably as he builds and restores fine wooden boats, such as his current project, a 1938 Herreshoff 12 1/2 (shown).
Peter Van Sickle’s shop is in the heart of northern Idaho, not far from Coeur d’Alene Lake, Pend Oreille Lake, and Priest Lake. The shop is a freestanding garage located behind his house. Peter has opened his shop to an aspiring young builder who, with Peter’s help, has built his own kayak. Though he calls it “a beginner’s shop,” Peter is already gearing up to build his fifth boat. He reports that he is “hooked” on boatbuilding. Sounds good to us.
This artsy and economical boatshop is the brainchild of Belgian Christophe Benoit. Without plans, outside help, or a time schedule, Christophe built his shop with the same philosophy that he brings to boatbuilding: to relax and enjoy a hobby. His favorite feature is the set of big, barn-type doors. His least favorite is the size. “But,” he says, “[had I built] a bigger one, it would have the same downturn [downside].”
Fairbanks, Alaska, is home for Gary Porter and his artist-wife, who share a small building that holds this 28' x 28' shop. While the upper level is reserved as a painting studio, Gary uses the lower level to build boats and furniture.
This classic New England building is home to George Thomas’s boatshop. While a New Hampshire winter can keep him busy with a snow shovel (that isn’t Santa Claus you see on the rooftop), George prefers to spend as much time as he can, working on small wooden boats.
After 12 years of pushing papers, former accountant Jim Shula gave up his sedentary career in favor of building and remodeling work. Branching into boatbuilding, he built this heated 32' x 32' boatshop. Jim taught himself a lot about boatbuilding by adopting “basket case boats,” restoring them, and then turning them around. Recently approached to build a trimaran, Jim can finally say that he has turned pro.
This large, attractive building belongs to Dave Richardson, a generous man who is known to kindly loan his tools and share his space with other builders in need. Each floor has 1,600 sq ft, and the main shop (where the boats are) is 32' long and 30' wide. Much of the upper level is used for parts and storage. The shop is fully insulated and has an energy-efficient dust-collection system which can bring warm air back inside to help heat the building on cold days.