The Power of Wood

The following is a letter from Craig Sutherland, owner of the GLBBS Cedarville 26.

Dear Pat and Bud:

I am truly excited and proud to be the new owner of the Cedarville 26.  I wanted to send along this note to sincerely thank you both for coordinating our discussions from the date of my first inquiry.  I also wish to thank many others in the area who played a material role in either enabling a life-long passion of mine, or exploiting a life=long weakness!  Pleas share this letter with your Board, and others who support the Great Lakes Boat Building School, as you deem appropriate.

What began as a self-indulgent act of buying a beautiful wooden boat for myself, built by the students of the school resulted in my acquisition of things of even great value.

I first spotted the Cedarville on the Internet.  I had no prior knowledge or awareness of the Great Lakes Boat Building School.  I soon found myself speaking with Michel Berryer at Van Dam Custom Boats, who designed the Cedarville.  Michel simply could not have been nicer, more helpful, and patient fielding questions from a total stranger on two occasions.  He shared his knowledge and expertise, and his connection to the boat was that of anyone who has the ability to conceive of something in their mind and see it become a reality.  Truth be told, I made my decision to purchase the boat after speaking with Michel.

Nonetheless, I thought it would be prudent of me to conduct a sea trial, as I had only been able to view the boat in a few available pictures.

You put me in touch with board member Mike Van Lokeren to coordinate my visit and seat trial the first weekend in October.  Mike and I quickly identified a few people and passions we shared in common when we connected by phone.

I was very much looking forward to my visit.  I grew up in Indiana.  My father would rent a lakeside cottage in the summer in northern Michigan when he would get a week of vacation.  Those weeks are among my most vivid childhood memories, and the birth of my passion for boats.  I planned to make the drive along the lake and through the towns I had not visited since childhood over 50 years ago.

When I arrived in northern Michigan on a Friday, I met Mike at the Pellston Regional Airport.  The weather was terrible.  In fact, the weather made it impossible for Mike’s wife, Mary Ann, to make a business trip scheduled for that day, which afforded me the good fortune of meeting her as well.

We proceeded up to Cedarville, and I received a world class tour of the Islands.  The Les Cheneaux area was all new to me – and beautiful – even on a cloudy, wet, blustery day.  I was able to tour the beautiful school facility, and see the students actively at work on the various projects in process.  As much as I appreciate the beauty of wooden boats, I haven’t a clue – or the first skill set necessary – to ever contemplate building one.  But the mission of the school to perpetuate such skills and craftsmanship, and keep the world blessed by such works of art in a mass-produced world is beyond admirable.

Ultimately, we arrived to find the Cedarville floating in a stately fashion in Mike’s boathouse.  The pictures did not do her justice.  The boat was even more beautiful in person.  And I think we enjoyed the best 20 minutes of boating weather in over a week during our sea trial.

Friday evening led to a very enjoyable casual dinner together and unmatched hospitality at Miek and Mary Ann’s home.  After breakfast on Saturday, Mike took me on a wonderful tour of Harbor Springs, petoskey, and Boyne City, where Peter Bowers came in on Satruday to give us a quick, yet amazing, tour of all the projects in process at Van Dam Custom Boats.  If perfection is acheivable in custom wooden boat building, my money is on them to achieve it first.

I am also greatful to Tom Flood (whom I did not have the pleasure to meet) for making logistics for moving the boat around, including the trip to Boyne City, possible.

I can only assume Mike drew a short straw to dedicate so much of his time to my visit.  But I nominate Mike to be our next Secretary of State.  I think he may represent our best chance at world peace.  Saying goodbye to Mike and Mary Ann after lunch on Saturday was, strangely, like saying goodbye to good friends, after just 24 hours together. I miss them already.

On my drive back to Traverse City, I was actually able to locate and drive by the cottage my father rented several years in a row.  To my amazement, it was still there – over 50 years later.  I parked the car and called my 91-year-old mother to let her know where I was standing at that very moment.

The Cedarville 26 is now in the expert hands of Steve Van Dam and Michel, who have graciously made themselves available this winter to assist me with new seat cushions, naming the boat, a weather top, a mooring cover, new trailer, and a few other items before the boat makes her way to her new home on Lake Winnipesaukee in central New Hampshire in the spring.  Anyone connected to the school, in any capacity, has an open invitation to give me ring for a ride on the lake in the Cedarville, if ever in the area.

I can assure you that many, many more will soon become aware of the Great Lakes Boat Building School when the season gets under way next year.  And the burgee with the School’s logo, designed by Paul Wilson, will forever fly on the bow of the Cedarville.

All in all, a trip to northern Michigan for simple sea trial morphed into a magical weekend for me.  It reconnected me to wonderful childhood memories.  It afforded me an opportunity to revisit an area that is even more beautiful and special than I remembered.  One could travel the world and be hard-pressed to find a better place to live.

More importantly, it introduced and exposed me to a wonderful community of people.  The people with the vision, effort, and commitment to create the Great Lakes Boat Building School from thin air; the students with the passion to learn the skills necessary to keep the art form alive ; the experts like you, Steve, Michel, and others who volunteer and contribute their wisdom and expertise.  People and places that will forever be on my mind every time I look at the Cedarville 26. Ultimately, even beautiful wooden boats are just “things”.  People make all the difference in life, and I met very special people.

Such is the power of wood.  Everything that emanates from it is strong, beautiful, and long lasting.  Fiberglass could never create such bonds.

Thanks again to all.

With very best regards,

Craig Sutherland