SOUTH BRISTOL, Maine — There is something timeless, at least on the coast of Maine, about a boat made of wood.
Crafting those boats requires skills and even tools dating back hundreds of years.
In a time when most boats are built of fiberglass or other man-made materials, Peter Kass still does it the old way—building lobster boats and yachts from wood, the way he was taught when he was just 17 years old.
Kass grew up in Massachusetts but said he moved to Maine after finishing high school to learn the boatbuilder’s trade.
"I’ve always loved it," he said, now in his early 60’s.
"It's challenging, very interesting...some parts dirty and unpleasant, but for the most part, it's fun putting the parts together. I love boats," Kass explained.
Kass said he learned from the old-time wooden boatbuilders at the Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol; known at the time for building a series of wooden sailing ships, including a history of building commercial fishing vessels. He then worked at two other yards before opening his own shop, John’s Bay Boat Company, in 1983.
Even then, the world of commercial and pleasure boats had been changing to fiberglass and other composite materials. Wooden boats typically took longer to build and required much more maintenance.
But Kass found that there were still fishermen who wanted a wooden boat because they were more comfortable, he said.
"[Wood is] an insulator. When there is any kind of impact, it's taken up by the wood, as opposed to something hard as a rock that reverberates like a drum," Kass said.
He explained that is the essential difference. Wood feels more solid and reduces the vibration and impact on the human body; making the boats more comfortable to work in for long periods of time.
"Our boats are deeper and sharper forward than most any other builders," Kass said of his designs, suggesting that the shape in the bow of the boat also helps them handle the sea more comfortably.
Several fishermen apparently agree. Over the years, Kass said he has built at least 55 lobster boats, nearly all of which are still working on the water. He has also built around a dozen yachts, using similar hull designs.
"They all love ‘em," the builder said of the boat owners. Evidence of that affection is on display at launchings at his boat shop, when several dozen owners are likely to show up to inspect and cheer for the latest project.
The boats are built using very traditional techniques and tools—electric hand planes may be one of the few concessions to modern technology.
After building the heavy keel and bow stem, which form the backbone of the boat, Kass and his crew cut notches into the keel, then steam the long wooden ribs so they can be bent to form the shape of the hull. The white cedar planks are then fitted over the ribs to form the outside of the hull. Next, the planks are sealed with caulking material, completed essentially the way wooden boats have been built for hundreds of years.
And until the current project, Peter Kass said all of his 65 to 70 boats have been built without drawn plans. Instead, he has used the old traditional method of creating half models out of wood—literally sculpting a wooden model the shape of one lengthwise half of the boat. Measurements are then taken from the model and scaled up to full size. From those measurements, they are able to lay out the shape of the hull, bend the ribs, attach the planks, and create a boat.
"It's fun," Kass said of the basic process.
For the current 44-foot yacht under construction, he is trying something new. A computer designer, he said, scanned the half-model details into his computer, then used that to create detailed drawings on paper, showing how each piece should be constructed.
The knowledge and skills required to build a wooden boat this way once were common, but are now rare. Kass said his shop and one other in Stonington are the only places in Maine still traditionally building wooden lobster boats. His small crew of builders, whom Kass has taught, are now part of a handful of people who understand how the work is done.
"It's too bad, and I hate the whole 'dying art' concept, and there is a demand for them, but no one else is stepping up. I wish some young guy would step up," Kass said.
Part of the challenge he said, is that only some fishermen still want wooden boats, and the same applies to yacht owners. But for those who do, Kass’ name is revered along the New England coast.
Fishing boat orders are basically non-existent at the moment, he said, because lobstermen are worried about the impact of expected new rules that will restrict fishing to protect right whales. So Kass and the crew are focusing on building another yacht, then will see where the market is heading.
Still, despite all the work he has done and still does, Peter Kass said he has never wanted to do anything else.
"There are smarter ways to make a living if that’s what you’re after. The only reason to do it is because you love it, and I do, so I have no regrets."
Neither do the scores of satisfied owners, who have made their living, or enjoyed their vacation time, thanks to the work of Peter Kass.