Brown Boatbuilding

Owner Profile

Rick Brown, grew up watching his grandfather, a Master Carpenter, work on boats at the South Coast Shipyard, so it is not surprising that he is where he is today. His next mentor and inspirational coach was Dennis Holland an Orange County resident who in the 70’s built a full-size replica of a 1770s privateer in his own backyard.

Rick kicked off his career at the age of 20, building tenders at the Salt Creek Boatworks in 1978. Ironically he married his wife Lori on the decks of the Schooner Pilgrim, the very boat built by Holland.

“I have spent my entire life sailing, building and restoring wooden boats. Growing up with a passion for woodwork and learning the proper use of hand tools from my grandfather, I decided to make a living at it starting in 1978. Today, whether building yacht tenders, restoring classic schooners or laying teak decks, I consider myself very fortunate to be able to make this my life’s work”

In the eighties Rick moved to Santa Cruz to pursue his craft, but after a short three years, he was drawn back to Southern California for projects working with another noted shipwright Wayne Ettel.

After completion of those projects, Rick and Lori made there way to the Mecca on the west coast for wooden boats, Port Townsend WA, where he set up his own boat shop. But even then he could not get away from his Southern California roots and soon found himself commuting back and forth as he took on projects like Bob Gilbert’s, the “Father” of kinetic art, replica of the famous 98’ British racing yacht Bloodhound, Norm Paulson’s 70’ Topsail Schooner Swift of Ipswich, Fess Parker’s Coho, and the 115 “Grand Banks Fishing Schooner” Star Pilot.

Finally succumbing to the call, Rick returned to Southern California where he set up shop in the Sea Spray Boatyard and proceeded with renovations on three well know SoCal woodies, the 79’ Robert Sloan designed, Spike Africa, the 58’ Herreshoff Ketch Bounty, and the 1928 - 82’ Gamage Staysail Schooner Kelpie.

Currently Rick, out of his Dana Point boat shop, is restoring the 58’ Seawanhaka Schooner Charmian from the keel up, see more on the current projects tab, and continues with ongoing restorations on the 82’ Historic John Alden designed Schooner Curlew.