TotalBoat Ambassadors Kent and Audrey Lewis go the extra mile when working in their tiny, cramped boat shop. It’s less about the shop being too small, and more that it’s occupied by the amazing amount of boats and projects being refurbished or constructed by the industrious couple. They are as official as it gets when looking for an “Official Repair Shop” or expert on the classic favorite sailboat, the old wooden Sunfish, and the sister ship, the Sailfish. Today’s video takes you to the end of a full restoration of Super Sailfish, Zsa Zsa. She’s ready for paint and some accents that will make her old bones really shine.
They both have a fondness for the classic wooden sailing dinghies and there is no shortage of them in the States. Since moving to Florida in 2011 they have restored a fleet of small boats and shared information with other boaters through their YouTube videos, their active blog, and on their Facebook page, Small Boat Restoration. They also published The Sunfish Owner’s Manual in 2013 and manage the Yahoo Sunfish Sailor group.
Throughout their journey, many questions arose about the best tools, materials, and methods to use for repair and restoration. It was important to share what was done, along with how and why. Putting the tools and processes out there for all to benefit from is what makes this duo stand out. Their videos aren’t riveting or fancy edits – they are honest, straightforward looks into the methods for repairing and reconstructing these popular old boats.
Some other boats have been lucky enough to be restored by the Lewises, such as Barbashela, Jefferson Davis’ 1880s bateau that had been built for and used by Davis’s daughter. The Lewises were asked to make the bateau watertight and able to be “ceremoniously rowed” after the bateau was damaged in Hurricane Katrina. The process is documented on their blog and Facebook page, as are many of their other projects.
TotalBoat is a proud supporter of small shops like the Lewises and their Sunfish Sanctuary. Let’s help them grow their social media channels and YouTube subscribership. Subscribe to their channel and hit like on their videos. Here is a recent one using our topside marine paint, Wet Edge, to decorate the decks of a boat that’s almost ready to launch! And that’s where Audrey, a lifelong sailor, comes in as the sail tester (among many other things.). She takes great delight in sailing off her front dock in the boats so lovingly restored by her and her husband; a true labor of love when you consider the work that also goes into documenting it all so we can benefit. Enjoy a glimpse into their little boat shop out back!
See all their restoration videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/kentblairl/videos
