A shipwreck and rebirth, set to music
Jan 5 2013 in Boats by Deborah Bach
Aho’i Mench came close to losing his vintage wooden sailboat — and possibly his life — during a fierce storm on Juan de Fuca Strait on Labor Day weekend 2010.
Mench and his son, Riley, were rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter during the storm and had to abandon Mench’s 26-foot boat, Pia. A former boatbuilder, Mench had extensively restored Pia when he bought the 1938 Danish-built spidsgatter almost 20 years earlier.
And he would do the same again.
The badly damaged boat was recovered the day after the storm, resting on a rocky spit about six miles from where Mench and his son were rescued. She had a hole about 18 inches carved through her starboard side, several of her frames were broken and the cockpit combing and cabintop rails had been torn off.
Mench spent the next 20 months restoring Pia (read his two-part account of the project here and here) and relaunched her in May 2012 (story here).
A longtime friend of Mench’s, music writer and commentator Lynn Darroch, just released the above video, a short film set to jazz music that tells the story of Pia‘s shipwreck and extensive restoration. It’s a tribute to old-world craftsmanship, perseverance and the deep emotional ties that bind boat owners to their vessels. It’s worth watching.
Pamela Benson said on January 6, 2013
Beautifully done, and a story well told.
VESSEL ASSIST NW, said on January 6, 2013
I was there rescuing another boat a few miles away, TRISH AND i RECIEVED A NATIOL COAST GUARD LIFESAVING AWARD FOR THAT DAY’S WORK, I know from personal experience re-building BEACHCOMBER the dedication re-building a skipwreck into a cherished yacht is great for one’s soul. WELL DONE AOH’I !
http://www.vessel-assist-nw.com/index.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=8WWlxaiE1iw
Roger Slade said on January 6, 2013
Congratulations are in order. Its been a long strange trip!
Kaci Cronkhite said on January 6, 2013
Beautifully done… a worthy tribute to the work of Ahoi and to the original builders in Denmark. I’m glad the video showed how tough the spidsgatters are built! Thanks for posting this ThreeSheetsNW. You continue to provide excellent news.
Kitty Bennett said on January 6, 2013
My god, that was just beautiful. Astounding. Beautiful music and interpretation too. Congratulations to Mr. Mench and his son. As people who built a wooden boat, we get that you’re attached for life. Happy sailing!
Mike Oswald said on January 6, 2013
Inspiring yes, but humbling when one considers his or her own limited efforts at rebuilding or reworking. The work on the video is smooth and beautiful.
Harold Lavers said on January 5, 2013
Inspirational for those of us who have made a commitment to good stewardship of a wooden boat.
When you wonder where any more energy will come from – watch this video.