Over the 45+ years we've lived in the region I've had the distinct honor of photographing at many area shipyards and boat-building facilities. The places I have photographed vary in complexity and size, from back yard outdoor set-ups to some of the largest companies in the area. Places like, Goudy & Stevens, Hodgdon's, Washburn & Doughty, Jones, Nutt, and Sample’s. Other smaller but no less impressive shops were at Mr. Blaney's, Roscoe Rand, and Chetley Rittall, to name a few. What I did learn through my boat building observation and recording is that boats can crop up almost anywhere, with the right amount of ingenuity and skill. It has been an amazing run.

But perhaps even more impressive for me has been the opportunity to get up close and personal with so many talented and, dare I say, gifted craftspeople. I am in awe of the abilities of so many. The list from the late ’70s until present is overwhelming. Young and older have climbed to the bottom of O'Hara draggers at Goudy & Stevens welding steel in to place and taking a break for a “cigger.” Woods being bent and shaped and fastened in all variety of floating works of art. These are remarkable people, and some of the quirkiest individuals I have ever met. And, believe me, I have met a few quirkies!

Over the past going on six years I have been privileged to document the substantial project at what is now “Bristol Marine/Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, aka the old Sample yard. It is there that I have gotten to know Captain Leathers. He always seamed to turn up in the most unusual places. One day I might find him helping a gang of 10 with a steaming plank destined for fastening to the frames of the Ernestina-Morrissey. The next trip to the yard might find him driving wooden pegs (trunnels I believe is the more accurate term) through planking securing them to the well shaped hull. Then on another visit Willy would be smearing tar on seams or helping out with caulking. He did a little or a lot of many things.

But Willy is also a boat captain and an oyster farmer. Like many of his compatriots in the boatbuilding family, he wears many hats. And gloves. And funky outerwear which seems to be appropriate attire for the industry. Not much Ralph Lauren in the lead keel department. I think the gift I admire the most about traditional boat builders is the innate ability to do almost anything, except get too excited about technology. Flip phones are still very much in style for many workers I currently know.

Willy is quite young, as are many boat workers. I think Maine draws them in and gives them opportunities for utilizing skills that are on the wane. If I were wanting to build a flying water car, I think I would know who to call. And Willy could be the captain.