Category Archives: Yacht & Large Vessel Construction

Mahogany Masters I – Van Dam Custom Boats

by Captain James R. Watson

Epoxyworks 14

Cover Photo: ALPHA Z is like no other boat. It’s a stepped V-bottom planing runabout designed by Michael Peters Yacht Design.

If boat building was ever in a period of renaissance, it is now. One center for the revival in exquisitely constructed yachts is Van Dam Custom Boats near Lake Charlevoix in Boyne City, Michigan. Business partners Steve and Jean Van Dam have a 23 year history of building interesting wooden craft. Although Steve is a sailor, most of their work involves powerboats, custom one-offs and restorations. They are particularly noted for the fine detail of their wood/epoxy composite boats and their willingness to experiment with materials and structures. Continue reading

Launching ANTONISA

By Mary Maynard Drake

The 124′ sailing yacht ANTONISA slipped into the waters of Linekin Bay on August 28, 1999, amid accolades to her builder, Hodgdon Yachts. The Italian owners and some 4,000 well wishers, including Maine governor Angus King, crowded into the small village of East Boothbay, Maine, for the launching. Continue reading

Sheathing & Rolling in Southampton

By Wessex Resins & Adhesives Ltd., UK

To a fanfare of music, lights and fireworks HRH Prince Andrew pressed the button and the 400 invited guests watched anxiously as the largest wooden ship under construction in the world began to move. Continue reading

TITANIC, the Model

by Richard Barrie

Epoxyworks #12, Fall 1998

Cover Photo: A familiar view of the TITANIC. A member of the film crew on the right gives the model scale.

Many models of the RMS TITANIC were built for the 1997 blockbuster movie. Two of them were built by Western Boatworks of Reseda, California using WEST SYSTEM® products exclusively. Continue reading

The Yazaki Ark

By Grace Ombry

Eric Goetz (Goetz Composites) completed a 165′ structure they call The Ark. This striking wooden craft will never touch the water. Instead it will hang inside the headquarters of the America Yazaki Corporation in Canton, Michigan. The Japanese company is the largest supplier of automotive parts in the world. Continue reading

Jubilee Sailing Trust (Tenacious) Project

Courtesy of Wessex Resins & Adhesives, Romsey, England

At the Jubilee Yard in Southampton England, progress continues on the Jubilee Sailing Trust ship. The ring frames are all erected, and for a short period, the completed skeleton of the ship resembled a giant toast rack. Continue reading

Tenacious under construction

The World’s Largest Wood/Epoxy Ship

Courtesy of Wessex Resins & Adhesives

Craftsmen and volunteers are building the World’s largest wood/epoxy tall ship at a boat yard in England. The 65-meter three-masted barque was ready to set sail in the year 2000. Her crew, a blend of physically disabled and able bodied sailors, will navigate the ship around the United Kingdom and Europe. Continue reading

Hodgdon Building 124′ Cold Molded Yacht

by Mike Barker
Epoxyworks9

Cover Photo: Even at this stage of construction, the 124′ Bruce King-designed sloop is impressive.

A Bruce King-designed 124′ sloop is taking shape* at Hodgdon Yachts, Inc. in East Boothbay, Maine. It is the largest boat ever built at Hodgdon and one of the largest wood/epoxy yachts ever built. Continue reading