Farrin’s Boatshop: 45 years & counting

Brian, Bruce Jr., and Bruce Sr. receiving a plank from Leonard Eugley.  (Red Boutilier photo, courtesy Farrin’s Boatshop)

Brian, Bruce Jr., and Bruce Sr. receiving a plank from Leonard Eugley. (Red Boutilier photo, courtesy Farrin’s Boatshop)

by Brian Robbins

WALPOLE, ME – For years I’ve referred to it as “the crow’s nest” – Bruce Farrin Sr.’s office high over the back bay in Farrin’s Boatshop in Walpole, ME.

You have to climb some stairs to get to the crow’s nest up there on the third floor, but it’s worth it.  For one thing, there’s a lot of history on the walls; a virtual timeline of Bruce’s history in boat building since he went off on his own in 1971.

Today’s visit is notable for the fact that I have all three Farrins – Bruce Sr. (who turned 73 this year), and his two sons Brian Jr. (who is 50), and Brian (who will be 49 in January) – sitting down.

At the same time.

Let me tell you: this doesn’t happen.

These guys don’t sit a whole lot when you’re around them at the shop.  You can carry on a conversation as long as you’re willing to keep moving along with them and/or wait out the roar of a saw or grinder.

And that’s one at a time.  All three at once?  Unheard of.  (I’m imagining maybe they do it on family holidays, but then again …)

But Bruce and his two sons are all sitting with me for a few minutes up in the crow’s nest…

 

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