A Winter Apprentice

Book excerpt: John Willey shares insights into life in a Maine boatyard, where he worked and kept a journal from 1978 to '79. As the historian John Gardner confirms, until relatively recently boatbuilding was not recorded - the life of the yard crew even less so. Here is a rare and vibrant narrative from a winter apprentice. ***** "It's great, it really is great. I can see it, and see it all - smell it, taste it, and feel it ... The shop and crew and Paul came through life size. I was there with you, every blessed, excruciating, wonderful minute ... Last night after supper, I sat down with it and didn't get up until I had finished, about 2 a.m." -John Gardner, historian, designer and builder of wooden boats, author of books including Building Classic Small Craft