More Yard Closures

[Lew Barrett]

I heard today that Canal Shipyard (Seattle) is being sold to developers and will be shutting down operations. That is a huge loss for those of us who do our own work as well as for independent contractors who use it as a landing pad for client boats. The same is being reported to me about Seaview East, and I hear another yard (formerly Dunatos) may also be shutting down.

The situation has become dire in a hurry.

[rbgarr]

The Maine legislature is considering a health insurance bill which would require a surcharge on health benefits for employees in certain fields, including boatbuilding.

[Bob Triggs]

Condos, we need more condos, and maritime theme parks.

[Lew Barrett]

Condos, we need more condos, and maritime theme parks.

Precisely. I won't blame the owners for following their noses to profit, but it is a disturbing sign of the times. The people will not realize what they have lost until it is gone, and then it is too late. Bitter pill. Like David says of Maine, the State (in this case Washington) only makes it harder on them.

[BETTY-B]

I heard Seaview East was hutting down because he doesnt want to pay what the owner wants to rent the property. Maybe someone else will open shop there.

I really liked the new owners and atmosphere at Sea Marine in PT during my last haulout. I'm pretty sure I'll make the trip up again next time.

[Gerarddm]

Yes, Seaview East's rent was hiked and they balked.

As far as I know Dunato's is chugging right along. We did a class visit there several months back and they were fairly busy, at least then.

[Eric Hvalsoe]

Jesus, I only heard about SeaView East. More business for Port Townsend. More business for Jensen's if they hang in there. Not a good sign of the times for our slice of Seattle. Although there are more yards around Lake Union, it seems inconcievable that all those mentioned would close (let's call Dunato's an unfounded rumour at this moment, they may own thier property). As I understand, it is just so damn expensive to be on the water. You might think the slow enonomy would keep real estate values down, then again, these yards are probably not going gangbusters. Independents . . . I've had trailered boats as long as 30 ft in my shop, which as a whopping understatement, does not replace the capacity or access of the big boys on the waterfront. Lake Union continues to loose its nautical, industrious, blue collar, workboat, and working character

[Lew Barrett]

That's it. I am not sure about the Dunato report either but that's what I heard. CSR rmains as a bastion, but even if Dunato's holds and you take out just Seaview and Canal, you put a lot of pressure on CSR for guys like me. Plus, last time i was there (it's been years) Dunatos really didn't encourage indepenedent contractors like the other guys did. PTs fine, all well and good, but it's not where I base out of and it is very inconvenient for just a shave and haircut, not to mention as a place to be if work expands and you happen to live in Seattle. Seattle still has the biggest population of vessels by far.

The loss of waterfront culture is vey disturbing if you like that sort of industrial history. If you pefer condos, well, my sympathies! Eric you make a good point in that it may be a help to Jensen, but what helps Jensen may be a problem for Bakketun and Thomas and shops like that. Still, Jensen is a great place and it's good if it helps them. But that's all the good I see in this.