829 Southdrive

829 Southdrive

A New Jersey state of mind



Friday, July 23, 2010

My favorite boatyard


Stuck at the Mantoloking Bridge.  Looking westward here,
829 was and is to the right, about a mile and a quarter away.
From the sleeping porch there at my Nana's house, you 
could see when the Cantalopin' bridge (called that by my
cousin Adam) was up. Then it was an old, rickety bridge,
where the gates would take a lifetime to open after the big boat
passed under. Now, it's a state of the art computerized bridge
where you still have to wait forever after you see the mast
cruise through.  Now that's progress. 


On the other side of the bridge:  Hallowed ground.


The Big Shed at Beaton's.  I couldn't begin to tell you how
many classic boats have been in and out of there, but if
these walls could talk........


Already thinking of fall, they were in the process of splitting
this prime seasoned firewood.  There's nothing like walking
through Beaton's when there's a chill in the air and smelling
the smoke coming from the woodstove in the shed.


Steam Boiler and Wood Stove in the shed.


If you have 4 grand to spend on a sweet little rowboat,
this is your place to do so.  And may I say, it's worth
every goddamn penny.


Table saws and milling machines abound.  This place reeks
of history and tradition.  I was brought here by you-know-who
on no less than a few weekend afternoons, and made to stand-
by while conversations of boring boat-related topics were
discussed.  I just wanted something to eat. 


Paul Smith works on the bottom of a Barnegat Bay Sneakbox


 Over one hundred years ago, this timeclock kept track
of the boatyard workers' hours.  The International Time
Recording Company eventually changed their name to IBM.  


Sjogin, a Swedish workboat, actually built in NJ in the 60's,
is in the well, ready to be hauled for her annual re-fit.
 Suzanne, in the background, is the Beaton family's boat.
They work awfully hard; I hope they get enough time to go
out and enjoy her.

This shot is a post-post image.  After reading and
re-reading this as well as every other entry I have ever 
posted, I realized the one picture of Sjogin really didn't
give the reader a true idea of her sweeping lines.
I believe this photo does just that. 


Sjogin's wooden mast.  What a sweet boat!  This mast
will be taken down to bare wood soon, before several coats
 of varnish  will be applied.  I thought it looked fine, but her
owner and skipper, Russ, assured me that it was time.


My friend Russ, from Hove To Off Swan Point,
looking over plans for a slightly modified Sjogin
reproduction. Evidently there are some out there
 who don't want Russ to be the only one with this 
honey of a sailboat. 

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for the fascinating tour. Somehow makes one feel good to see an old business like that still working. Nice images. That Sjogin is sure beautiful.

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  2. I don't know how you do it, Mr. Serling, but everyone knows places like that don't exist anymore.

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  3. You're right O Docker. It must have something to do with that "International Time Recording Company" clock...

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  4. that looks like an amazing shop to visit. beautiful sailboat, too.

    cheers, my2fish

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