Created: Feb 04, 2015 07:00 AM (Updated: Feb 04, 2015 07:25 AM)
Spirit of Bermuda: Matthew Madeiros of Challenger Boatworks and Peter Mahoney of Island Canvas lay up a pattern in preparation for fibreglassing a ten-foot lobster skiff designed by Mahoney. The boat is for Mahoney’s son Aiden (Photo by Mark Tatem)
A father has embarked on an ambitious project to build his son a traditional “mini” lobster boat from scratch.
Peter Mahoney has designed the ten-and-a-half foot vessel out of plywood and fibreglass so his five-year-old son, Aiden, can learn some basic maritime skills. Mr Mahoney, who runs Island Canvas, is building the boat by hand with the help of his friend, Matthew Madeiros, at his Hermitage Road offices in his spare time.
He hopes to get the boat in the water by May in time for the summer. “Five or six years ago I designed a 28ft lobster boat, but the project never really got off the ground,” said the 33-year-old. “At that time I built a model, to-scale version of the boat, which was about four foot.
“Just recently Aiden had a go in the model version and it seemed to hold up just fine, so I have decided to go a little bigger and give him a present for the summer.
“The plan is to attach a small five horse power engine to the boat so Aiden can learn a few sailing skills.
“If everything goes to plan, it will be ready for the summer.”
All aboard: Peter Mahoney’s five-year-old son, Aiden, gets to grips with a four-foot lobster boat made by his father — a trial run for the 10.5-foot lobster skiff he is working on
Matthew Madeiros of Challenger Boatworks and Peter Mahoney of Island Canvas lay-up a pattern in preparation for fibreglassing a lobster skiff designed by Mahoneyfor his son, Aiden (Photo by Mark Tatem)
Precision planning: Matthew Madeiros, of Challenger Boatworks, right, and Peter Mahoney, of Island Canvas, prepare for the fibreglassing of a lobster skiff designed by Mahoney for his son Aiden (Photo by Mark Tatem)
Matthew Madeiros of Challenger Boatworks and Peter Mahoney of Island Canvas lay up a pattern in preparation for fibreglassing a lobster skiff designed by Mahoney (Photo by Mark Tatem)
Peter Mahoney of Island Canvas and Matthew Madeiros of Challenger Boatworks lay up a pattern in preparation for fibreglassing a lobster skiff designed by Mahoney (Photo by Mark Tatem)
Peter Mahoney of Island Canvas and Matthew Madeiros of Challener Boatworks lay up a pattern in preparation for fibreglassing a lobster skiff designed by Mahoney for his son, Aiden (Photo by Mark Tatem)
