Flotsam & Jetsam

Your letters and such

Here’s something cool. Our friends over at Gig Harbor Boat Works are hiring. Here’s the letter got from General Manager, Katie Malik:

Would you be willing to help spread the word about some job opportunities at Gig Harbor Boat Works? Our new manufacturing facility in Gig Harbor, WA is now up and running, so we've got some long-awaited job openings to fill. Since you've got such a great bunch of readers who are already familiar with our boats (especially the fiberglass Scamp), I thought where better to start our search? Here's what we're looking for:

Job #1: Boat Builder

This job requires a good amount of prior boatbuilding experience, or at the very least some​ boatbuilding experience plus transferable skills. This job entails day to day hands-on work in the assembly/finishing shop, so carpentry skills are necessary as well as familiarity with rigging, hardware, etc. Fiberglass skills are a plus, but not essential. Full time, pay DOE from $25/hr plus benefits. More info and application here: https://www.indeed.com/job/boat-builder-shop-foreman-2c8cc98dd2777024

Job #2: Temporary Fiberglass/Tooling for our redesigned Lobster Boat project taking place this summer (preorders are now sold out!). This position requires a depth of experience with fiberglass boatbuilding and tooling. If this person is also a candidate for job #1, so much the better. Hours and rate DOE; or this could be a contractor position if preferred. If interested, send us an email at jobs@ghboats.com to introduce yourself, and include your resume and examples of prior work. 

Job #3: Warehouse Manager 

This job requires a good understanding of inventory management, overseeing inventory all the way through the pipeline from the time it enters the building to when it leaves the building. It's a hands-on job of procurement, maintaining accurate inventory counts, and order fulfillment. Experience with inventory management systems is required, knowledge of boats and boatbuilding a huge plus. Full-time, pay DOE $20-$25/hr plus benefits. More info and application here:

https://www.indeed.com/job/warehouse-manager-a3be57690617016c

We encourage anyone who applies to mention they heard about the job through Small Craft Advisor, so we know they've already got a bit of knowledge about small craft rowboats or sailboats. Thanks!

Contact jobs@ghboats.com or submit an application to Indeed

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Reader Ben Bierman write the following comment below our article called Practical vs. Romantic Boat Buying.

I had a beautiful Catalina 30 I restored, but couldn't single-hand it on the Columbia River. I think I managed 4 day-sails in a summer when the stars aligned to have a crew. I built a Chameleon dinghy as a tender, and found I could just sail that whenever I wanted all by myself. Sold the Catalina, kept the Chameleon and have sailed and rowed it all over. To overcome the "25 miles from the marina" problem, nothing beats driving down the highway to drop the boat into new waters. I just upgraded to a Jimmy Skiff II and love it. Very comfortable for two when I get someone to join me, but usually it's just me.

Here’s a lovely photo he sent us of his Jimmy Skiff.

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We had a reader ask us about the best boat for a sail and paddle or row trip through the Everglades. Solo cruiser who wants boat to be able to carry two weeks’ worth of provisions, plus heavy camera equipment. Must be extremely shallow draft as she intends to settle into backwaters to sit quietly and take photos. She is open to building the boat if it better suits her purposes.

Naturally looking at some of the boats in the Everglades Challenge is a good start, but we thought we’d ask readers to suggest boat designs below as well. —Eds