Repurposed Boats: Water, Weather and Whim
5 May 2011
“Have a happy passing,” quipped our captain as our ferry headed out to sea towards the island. As we debarked and drove down the unpaved road on the island I have visited every year since I was 20, I noticed small changes. The insular world of living on an island constantly changes and unfolds, as water, weather and whim dictate.
Off-season…
1. It’s quiet. This is always obvious once the swell of summer people fade away. In the spring, it’s a different kind of quiet – one that is laced with the anticipation of new growth, brighter skies, fishing and the upcoming summer season.
2. Everyone knows everyone. During the high season, islanders tolerate the seasonal visitors. On the shoulder seasons (fall and spring), the two groups co-mingle naturally.
3. People who live on islands are forever adaptive and resourceful. While much of the local economy depends upon the glut of summer people, year-rounders know they need to be both practical and imaginative to survive the off-season.
On an island, lighting and wind may change from season to season, but one thing remains constant – boats are a lifeline. When a boat’s usefulness ends, why not give it a new life?
Canoe ‘O Plants
Fishing Boat Storage Sheds
Floating Garden
Credits: Ben Scott, Recylart, Inhabitat, Garden Design
Pippa
May 05, 2011 @ 20:34:39
I prefer the reusable gravy boat!
elissa jane mastel
May 06, 2011 @ 07:17:08
where is this Ronnie??? It looks lovely… I love beach towns in the spring for the very same reason! I love the floating garden, very cool.
Ronnie
May 06, 2011 @ 08:13:17
Elissa, we visited Martha’s Vineyard. The floating garden is in Chicago’s Lincoln Park.The garden is planted in a retired 17-foot Boston Whaler lifeguard boat and is secured by three concrete block anchors. Yes, cool idea!
Laura Moore
May 07, 2011 @ 21:01:46
the storage sheds are inspirational. Great idea.
The vegetable planter is a good idea too.
Justin
Jul 31, 2011 @ 16:34:32
Google: boat sheds of Lindisfarne
Here’s a neat blog post: http://julietdoyle.blogspot.com/2008/10/boatsheds-lindisfarne.html
Ronnie
Jul 31, 2011 @ 18:09:41
Thanks for the link, Justin. I actually wrote about those incredible boat sheds for Inhabitat: http://inhabitat.com/abandoned-fishing-boats-transformed-into-beautiful-buildings/