Profile
My life has been largely based around boats and the ocean. From traditional schooners to modern racing boats, my background reflects my interests. Composite construction is well known to me, from carbon fiber to wood-epoxy. All stages of boat construction have been a source of income, from mold building to installation of electronics. With tens of thousands of offshore miles and five Panama Canal transits, I am as comfortable on the ocean as in the shop. I have thousands of miles each on small sailboats, large schooners, sportfishers, and catamarans, both sail and power. Between projects, I have often taken time to do deliveries or sail my personal boats in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Very little that is nautical does not interest me, and I feel fortunate that I have been given a life which has allowed me to pursue my interests.
Experience
2011-Current Self-Employed (Left Coast Composites
Various repairs as well as composite construction of new boats and all the details that come along with a new build including machinery installation, electronics, electrical, etc.
2010-11 Sea Las Perlas/Sunny Days, Panama Captain
Delivered the 65’ ferry I built with Gold Coast in ’09 to Panama and continue to run the vessel while setting up ferry operations from Panama City to Islas de Las Perlas.
2009-10 Capt. Andy’s Sailing, Kauai HI As Needed
Repaired the charter fleet as needed and built desired modifications. Built two epoxy infused foam and glass Hawaiian canoes. Did major hull repairs to owner's personal 57’ catamaran after it incurred severe damage.
2008-09 Sunny Days Catamarans, St. Croix USVI Shop Forema
With a small crew, built mold, hulls and all composite parts of carbon, E-glass, and foam for 65’ ferry to be assembled and launched by Gold Coast Yachts. After launching, installed all electronics and final systems. Delivered boat to Key West, Fl.
2007-08 Al Fresco Composites, Newport RI Systems Specialist
Installed all mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and electronic systems on a Rodger Martin designed Class 40. Also several smaller projects such as modifying a hydraulic system on a relocated canard rudder on the Wally 80 “Highland Fling X.” Whenever possible I continue to give them a hand as needed.
2006-07 Gold Coast Yachts, St. Croix USVI Shop Foreman
Set up Gold Coast’s new shop in St. Croix and began production, after they absorbed the boat building aspect of Sunny Days Catamarans.
1997-06 Sunny Days Catamarans, Key West FL Captain, Shop Manager
From 2002-06, I was shop manager and lead builder on two 43’ power cats, two 58’ power cats, and one 24’ power cat built of carbon or E-glass and foam. All construction was done in house with 4-8 man crew. From 2000-02, I was owner's rep for “Caribbean Spirit,” a 77’ schooner rigged sailing cat built at Gold Coast Yachts. I then was her captain in Key West until the next build, a 52’ wood-epoxy schooner designed by Reuel Parker. From 1997-98, I was captain of several power and sail catamaran charter vessels.
1999-00 Historic Tours of America
Supervised the rebuild of Scarano’s version of the schooner “America” after she was run aground by the previous command.
1998-99
Built my personal 28’ wood-epoxy schooner “Glance”, learning from Reuel Parker. After completion, I sailed her to central america and back. She was featured in Woodenboat Calendar 2007, July.
1996-97
Bought an English pilot cutter in California, refit her, and sailed to Key West.
1992-95
Worked for several charter companies in Key West and the Caribbean as crew and dive instructor.
1988-89 US Coast Guard Fireman
Fireman on 95’ patrol boat stationed in Hilo, Hawaii.
References:
Ted Brown tedbone@comcast.net 508-525-6196
Jim Donovan jpd@jpdonovandesign.com 410-212-6114
Reuel Parker info@parker-marine.com
