Boatbuilder info

[Bill Henchy]

Well, Ive noticed that pictures get the best responses (heck, I always check them out myself), so here goes ....

I'm looking for some help on the history of my boat. It's a 1955 Classic Maine lobster boat, built by Otto Backman, whom I am told was from Winter Harbor, ME.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid96/pd1cb6768b7dd481ab94ee1ee39502101/fa1f6625.jpg

The boat was formerly named "She's Able II", and is a marvelous example of craftmanship, and well named by its former owners, as it handles exceptionally in any kind of slop (though it is quite wet). The boat is 34 ft loa, 9.5 feet beam, skeg built cedar on oak, and in great condition. I absolutely love it, but cannot find any information on the history of the boat, or of its builder. It was originally used as a lobster boat, but is now, as you can se, rigged and used as a tuna harpoon boat.

I'd appreciate a reply from anybody who knows anything about either the boat or the builder.

Thanks much--Happy Holidays!

[nedL]

Bill, Sorry I can't help you with any history of your boat, but I just had to say "Very Nice!!!". She is a beauty! smile.gif

[MG]

Bill,

I did a little online searching and came up with this Lobster Co-Op Website (http://www.winterhbrcoop.com/history.htm) in Winter Harbor, ME. It mentions Otto Backman as an original member. Perhaps you can e-mail them and they can point you in the right direction. It's a round-about way, but there's gotta be a connection. Good Luck!

Melissa

[Bill Henchy]

Thanks for the reply. I found the same website, and got some phone numbers for several Backmans. I called, and the second was a fellow by the name of Danny Backman. Turns out that Danny, now 55 years old, was Otto's grandson, and had been fishing on my boat since he was a young boy with his grandfather. Otto built a number of boats, and several are still around. Danny's son owns one built in 1949 like mine, which he just repowered with a Cummins 6B 210 hp, and which he's going to restore back to original condition, with the spray hood. That boat is lobstering now, out of Winter Harbor.

Danny related that his grandfather set his brother (Danny's Uncle) up with all of his molds, and his Uncle built the boats on Beals Island until he got out of the business. Danny's Uncle called him one day and asked him if he wanted the molds--Danny said he was there with his truck the next morning. He has the molds, an old set of 9 foot beam molds, and some 12 foot molds. He's building a 37 footer on the 12 foot molds right now--has it framed, and has the garboard planks on--but it's too cold just now to do a lot of work on it until the weather gets a little better. He invited me to come by and take a look if I am up that way, which we were planning to do soon. I am going to look him up and see the new boat.

It was a real pleasure to talk to him--he has the same reaction to the hull that I do--not a lot of fuss, pushes along really easy, and a nice little sea boat. It was a pleasure to make a connection to time-tested way of doing things--learn your business from your grandfather, and build your own boat to do it in. I'm amazed the way they just tear these boats down and rebuild them to suit their needs; Danny told me about some modifications he made to my boat (I noticed them, just couldn't figure out exactly what they were), and another they took the sheer off of, sistered some "stub ribs" in, and built up the sheer and the deck by 4 inches to make a more useful boat. Can't do that in fiberglass.

I've been following your progress on the Will Frost boat--it's a beauty, good luck with the project. There's something about the lines of these older boats--just really pretty, and they go through the water very nicely. You just don't see any like these--good luck with yours.

[MG]

I'm glad that you were able to make some helpful contacts. I was thrilled to find the great-grandsons of Will Frost. They provided me with more information on my boat than I could have dreamed for. And once you start asking around, people from all over come out of the woodwork with tidbits of information. You've got a great-looking boat have fun with her!

Melissa
1930 Jonesporter Project Album (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291959797)

[mmd]

In a most polite and humble manner, I'd like to take issue with this statement:


Can't do that in fiberglass. - Bill Over the past four years I have lent my expertise to a 'glass builder of Northumberland Strait lobsterboats to take hulls from a single, fixed mould and widen them, lengthen them, shorten them, raise the sheer, switch from single to twin engines, and fit the boats for lobstering, tuna fishing, scallop dragging, mackerel fishing, whale-watching, sportfishing, and pleasure cruising. Can't do all that with a wooden boat after the hull is built.

That little tirade aside, it is a pretty little boat you have there, and a credit to the skill of the builder and the development of the type.

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

A great story with a happy ending. smile.gif
Nice boat ya got there Bill. :cool: