CAROLINA SAILING and replacing the keel and garboards on a 26-foot Lyman. In recent months, Bullock has finished some upgrades on the Spirit of South Carolina to prepare it for re-inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard, and he and his crew built and launched a 17-foot camp cruising sailboat. They also finished work on a custom spiral staircase. (Yes, not all of the work that goes on here will end up afloat.) “We’re usually juggling several projects at one time,” explains Bullock. “I’m trying to keep the place busy. I post shots of our work on Instagram all the time, and I go to the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show and talk to people as much as I can. I’m really trying to make a go of it. It’s definitely an uphill battle, but with a little bit of hard work and being in the right place at the right time, I think we’re gaining some momentum. I’ve definitely worked harder and made less money in the last two years than I ever have, but it’s what I love.” To convey that sentiment, he’s developed a motto for the business: “Here at BIBB, we combine the craftsmanship of yesteryear with the technology of today to build the memories of tomorrow.” It’s not by chance that Bullock ended up with a boatyard at this site. He cut his teeth in this profession under the tutelage of master shipwright Mark Bayne, who is known for numerous projects, but principally for directing all of the work on the Spirit of South Carolina. Bullock’s shop is actually the last home of Bayne’s Sea Island Boatworks, a company that employed Bullock for several years. (After nearly 20
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The Barrier Island Boatbuilders’ logo on the bow of the Paper Jet 14 that owner and master shipwright Ted Bullock built. Dan Dickison photo.
The Doghouse, a Sea Island One Design built in 1950 undergoes a refit at Barrier Island Boatbuilders. Photo courtesy of Barrier Island Boatbuilders.
years in operation, that business closed its doors in 2012.) Roughly 15 years ago, Bullock approached Bayne and said, “I want to build the Spirit of South Carolina.” At the time, Bayne couldn’t say when that project would actually start, but he invited Bullock to join his crew and help complete work on a 58-foot Carolina-style sport fishing boat. The young Bullock jumped right in. “I worked with Mark right through to 2007 when the Spirit was launched, and then things sort of slowed down after that, so I went out on my own. I very much enjoyed working with Mark and being involved with the Spirit, but I’d say that my focus is a little different from his. I love sailboats. That’s kind of who I am. And performance sailboats are really fascinating to me.” When asked if he sees himself as carrying on a tradition that is nearly embedded in the Lowcountry’s DNA, Bullock says “Absolutely. The tradition is really important to me. I guess you can tell that by the logo we chose,” he says, gesturing to the silhouette of a Chesapeake Bay deadrise schooner prominent on a Barrier Island Boatbuilders sticker affixed to the bow of the Paper Jet 14. “That’s a traditional vessel,” he offers. “It’s actually a profile of the Helen Annette, which was Mark’s boat at one time. Now that would be a worthwhile project,” says Bullock, a gleam growing in his eye. “Actually, I know where the boat is located, and if I had the wherewithal, well, I’d definitely be interested in refitting her.” It’s a statement that lets you know, the tradition of Lowcountry boatbuilding is in very good hands. For more information about Barrier Island Boatbuilders, go to www.barrierislandboats.com. SOUTHWINDS
April 2015
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