Superb documentary about an extraordinary man. Although I never formally met Ralph I assisted a photographer friend photographing Ralph's total reconstruction of David Rockefeller's sloop the Jack Tar. Watching Ralph work was an experience I will never forget. Great artists exhibit an economy and confidence of movement that is a delight to observe. As I said to a friend a few days later the only difference between Michelangelo and Ralph Stanley is one worked in marble, the other in wood.
My dad and Ralph were good friends. Ralph restored and cared for Venture (# 66) for my dad with it wintering over in Ralph's yard. Ralph would do repairs over the winter. My dad was a civil engineer that did a lot of hydro power. One time he needed a concrete form that would start out as a square hole and transition into a round hole while going around a (I think) 45 degree bend. After a couple professional form builders told my dad it couldn't be built, he took the plans to Ralph. Ralph looked at them and said, he'd be happy to try to build it. Just before my dad went to pick up the form Ralph had it sitting in his front yard. One of the other boat builders in the area was driving by, stopped and said to Ralph, "Ralph darndest looking boat I ever saw. Don't think it will float."
It's simply mind boggling how many top notch boat builders there were and are from Maine. It's so sad that we are losing many of them. I was fortunate and got to meet a few of them as I had worked several summers in Maine and two of them on Greenings Island Southwest Harbor. The island next to Great Cranberry where Ralph was from. I also spent some time with Chummy Rich and had Peter Kass and his crew at John Bay Boat build a beauty
Struggling in the shop today with motivation. I’m a boat builder in Virginia. I was able to let this play in the back ground and motivated me to work. Your work is amazing
I'm 32, and started building boats about 4 years ago, just finished my second, both are wood; never want to work with anything else. These films you've made, I've seen two so far, are FANTASTIC; it's great; about as close as I can come to sitting down with an older boat builder without actually sitting down with one. Really enjoy them, incredibly informative, beautifully shot and presented; thanks a lot for taking the time to do this.
I have met a lot of artist, builders, musicians, etc...all over the world and the very best always seem to say there is always someone who can do a better job or performance. They are always meek and humble and they never have to brag about a build or performance.
Really enjoyed this video, I am a hot rod guy for the most part, but I also love history, to see the old black and white photos of the old days is awesome. I bought plans for a mini tug boat about 3 years ago and still haven't built it yet, but I know I will soon. Very well made video, thanks so much for posting !
I don't know I've always been a recreational vehicle guy but as of late I am finding myself more and more interested in the world of boats and I figure it has the same features as an RV but you can take it a lot of places I'm thinking that's probably why I'm so interested in these things I don't know if it came out of nowhere.
Since I first got a FB page, back in 2010 or so, I discovered Mr Stanley. Always great to watch, learn and never cease to be amazed at the skill and their love for the art of wooden boat building.
Great documentary, Ralph is a humble man. My grandfather was a Basque ship wright. I love wooden sailboats. I also love acoustic wooden guitars. To me anything made of wood is alive, it has a soul just like humans.
Wonderful story that's beautifully presented. Congrats to the filmmaker and of course, to Ralph, Richard, and similar amazing souls who's tremendous skill and artistry provide us the compelling subjects from which such projects are made possible.
I am fixing to purchase my plans for a 32' traditional lobster boat. I sure wish I could have gone to one of his classes to learn something from him. It would have been priceless.
When I was younger, I read Fred Stonehouse stories of ore boats on Lake Superior which hauled iron ore. Those schooners had to be strong to take iron ore. Soon the wooden boats came into use, the schooner masts were cut down and they became 'barges'. And when the steel boats came into being, the old wooden iron ore boats were discarded, used as jetties, etc. Now on the lakes are about 13 1000 footers. Shorter steel boats would take care of smaller places such as Marquette, Michigan so there is still a use for the older boats. thanks :)
![Clancy Boat | S7 E8 [AI HD]](/img/n.gif)
We lost Ralph yesterday, Maine lost a legend. Makes this video priceless. Thank you for documenting this great man's history.
This video is an incredible memorial to Ralph and the others like him!
Thank you for producing this excellent video documentary of my Uncle Ralph. I am his sister Nancy's, son. Love this video!
Wish this kind of life still existed, what a beautiful time to be alive back then
Superb documentary about an extraordinary man. Although I never formally met Ralph I assisted a photographer friend photographing Ralph's total reconstruction of David Rockefeller's sloop the Jack Tar. Watching Ralph work was an experience I will never forget. Great artists exhibit an economy and confidence of movement that is a delight to observe. As I said to a friend a few days later the only difference between Michelangelo and Ralph Stanley is one worked in marble, the other in wood.
My dad and Ralph were good friends. Ralph restored and cared for Venture (# 66) for my dad with it wintering over in Ralph's yard. Ralph would do repairs over the winter. My dad was a civil engineer that did a lot of hydro power. One time he needed a concrete form that would start out as a square hole and transition into a round hole while going around a (I think) 45 degree bend. After a couple professional form builders told my dad it couldn't be built, he took the plans to Ralph. Ralph looked at them and said, he'd be happy to try to build it. Just before my dad went to pick up the form Ralph had it sitting in his front yard. One of the other boat builders in the area was driving by, stopped and said to Ralph, "Ralph darndest looking boat I ever saw. Don't think it will float."
Thanks for this great film on an outstanding boatbuilder! RIP Ralph Stanley, far away from alpine Austria, Flo Linko
Thank you all for your kind words, it helps to motivate me to keep making films
This really is a lovely compilation, and you caught this material before it vanished.
Ralphs work is amazing,, beautiful story and work ,,, thank you for a wonderful piece of boating history.👍👍💕💕
Great production!Thank you very much for this gorgeous story of a great human.
It's simply mind boggling how many top notch boat builders there were and are from Maine. It's so sad that we are losing many of them. I was fortunate and got to meet a few of them as I had worked several summers in Maine and two of them on Greenings Island Southwest Harbor. The island next to Great Cranberry where Ralph was from. I also spent some time with Chummy Rich and had Peter Kass and his crew at John Bay Boat build a beauty
A gentle portrait of a gentleman, quietly going about his mastery of an ageless craft.
Struggling in the shop today with motivation. I’m a boat builder in Virginia. I was able to let this play in the back ground and motivated me to work. Your work is amazing
My career took me away from traditional boat building but it remains in my DNA. This video reminds me of that.
I'm 32, and started building boats about 4 years ago, just finished my second, both are wood; never want to work with anything else.
These films you've made, I've seen two so far, are FANTASTIC; it's great; about as close as I can come to sitting down with an older boat builder without actually sitting down with one.
Really enjoy them, incredibly informative, beautifully shot and presented; thanks a lot for taking the time to do this.
What a blessed life, thank you for this :)
An American Treasure indeed, Thanks for making this film
I have met a lot of artist, builders, musicians, etc...all over the world and the very best always seem to say there is always someone who can do a better job or performance. They are always meek and humble and they never have to brag about a build or performance.
This was lovely. Great documentary. Thank you
Magnificent and a beautiful video, thank you so very much. I love wooden boats they look so 'right'
Really enjoyed this video, I am a hot rod guy for the most part, but I also love history, to see the old black and white photos of the old days is awesome. I bought plans for a mini tug boat about 3 years ago and still haven't built it yet, but I know I will soon. Very well made video, thanks so much for posting !
I don't know I've always been a recreational vehicle guy but as of late I am finding myself more and more interested in the world of boats and I figure it has the same features as an RV but you can take it a lot of places I'm thinking that's probably why I'm so interested in these things I don't know if it came out of nowhere.
Since I first got a FB page, back in 2010 or so, I discovered Mr Stanley. Always great to watch, learn and never cease to be amazed at the skill and their love for the art of wooden boat building.
Great documentary, Ralph is a humble man. My grandfather was a Basque ship wright. I love wooden sailboats. I also love acoustic wooden guitars. To me anything made of wood is alive, it has a soul just like humans.
Good men doing good work.....I hope it never goes away.
Excellent video hat will help preserve an important sector of the American psyche. Thank you.
Congratssss to All the Stanley Family. Keep the wood boat tradition alive for many more years to GOOOOOO......
Wonderful story that's beautifully presented. Congrats to the filmmaker and of course, to Ralph, Richard, and similar amazing souls who's tremendous skill and artistry provide us the compelling subjects from which such projects are made possible.
RIP Ralph
I am fixing to purchase my plans for a 32' traditional lobster boat. I sure wish I could have gone to one of his classes to learn something from him. It would have been priceless.
What a treasure of a man
Excellent film!!
Absolutely wonderful!
When I was younger, I read Fred Stonehouse stories of ore boats on Lake Superior which hauled iron ore. Those schooners had to be strong to take iron ore. Soon the wooden boats came into use, the schooner masts were cut down and they became 'barges'. And when the steel boats came into being, the old wooden iron ore boats were discarded, used as jetties, etc. Now on the lakes are about 13 1000 footers. Shorter steel boats would take care of smaller places such as Marquette, Michigan so there is still a use for the older boats. thanks :)
Outstanding.
Amazing
Floating sculpture!
Grrrrrreat.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏Respect
there are already far too many videos showing people simply cutting up a sheet of plywood
Is the same guy they call Chummy.
No chummy is a Rich. Both great builders tho
Thoroughly inspired until I saw HRC.
CARL STEVEN PALUGA
Rather tight lipped. Probably because loose lips sink ships.
He build great hull but ugly cabins on power boats