HELLEN

When Brian Clark completed a yearlong restoration of his great-grandfather's boat, HELLEN, he promptly won three awards at the 2008 Antique and Classic Boat Society's boat festival in St. Michael's, Maryland: People's Choice, Competitor's Choice, and Best-in-Class Workboat. HELLEN was built in 1939 by Jimmy Rogers for Capt. Will "Cowboy" Collins, who chartered her out of Deale, MD, for 14 years. He sold her in 1953 and she changed hands three more times between then and 2007, which is when Brian bought her and began his restoration. Thanks to having worked for 10 years in the family boatyard with his uncle, Brian was able to tackle the project on his own. Some modern upgrades were made but Brian retained the rope-drive steering, replacing the line and fittings.