A Boat, Bob, And Me: An Adventure Tale

In the spring of 1972, a 20-year-old Californian named Chris Bowman set off to see the world. His journey took him down the East African coast and across several oceans to a magical Caribbean island, where he built a beautiful boat, the schooner Water Pearl, with Bob Dylan. In this memoir, Bowman recounts his adventures, from his first meeting with Dylan to the building of the boat and their subsequent partnership. Along the way, he also offers insights into Dylan's private life and his time on tour with the legendary musician.

A young man's journey from California to the Caribbean

In the spring of 1972, a young man from California set out on a journey to explore the world. His travels took him down the East African coast and across the vast oceans, leading him to a magical Caribbean island. This island, a haven for boat building and traditional craftsmanship, became the birthplace of a beautiful schooner named Water Pearl.

The young man, with a passion for sailing and adventure, found himself in the heart of a vibrant community. He befriended master builders, sailmakers, and locals who shared their knowledge and love for the sea. Together, they embarked on a journey to bring Water Pearl to life. The process was not without its challenges, from sourcing materials to negotiating the complexities of construction.

The young man's path crossed with that of a legendary musician, Bob Dylan. Their partnership was formed through a series of serendipitous events, starting with a mutual acquaintance in California. Dylan, captivated by the idea of owning a traditional boat built in the Caribbean, joined forces with the young man to commission a 63-foot schooner crafted on the beaches of the island.

The construction of the schooner took longer than expected, and the initial partner, a contractor, became impatient and wanted to withdraw. The young man stepped in to save the project, offering his recently built 40-foot gaff sloop, Just Now, in exchange for the contractor's half-share of the unfinished schooner. This bold move solidified his partnership with Dylan, and they continued the journey as co-owners.

The young man's connection with Dylan went beyond their shared ownership of Water Pearl. He was invited to join Dylan on tour, witnessing the life of a famous rock star firsthand. He traveled with Dylan on three separate occasions, bringing along his wife and young daughter, creating lasting memories.

However, tragedy struck when Water Pearl met its fate on a reef near the Panama Canal entrance in 1988. The young man, now a seasoned sailor, faced this challenge with resilience and shared the full story of their partnership and the boat's demise in his memoir, "Me, the Boat and a Guy Named Bob."

The journey of this young man from California to the Caribbean was filled with adventure, friendship, and a deep connection to the sea. His story, intertwined with that of Bob Dylan, showcases the power of pursuing one's dreams and embracing the unexpected twists and turns that life presents.

Building a boat with Bob Dylan

Find the Right Location:

Begin by scouting for the perfect location to build your boat. Look for a place with ample space, easy access to the water, and preferably a rich history of boat building. The Caribbean island of Bequia is an excellent choice, known for its traditional boat-building techniques and vibrant community of master builders, sailmakers, and locals dedicated to keeping the craft alive.

Gather Materials:

Boat building requires a lot of raw materials, so get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the process. Head into "the bush" to find trees with the right shape for your hull, fell them by hand, and haul out the lumber. You'll also need hardware, which can be tricky to source. Be prepared to wheel and deal to get what you need and don't forget to factor in shipping costs to your island location.

Enlist Help:

Building a boat is not a solo endeavour. You'll need a team of skilled craftsmen and women to help bring your vision to life. Reach out to local boat builders and sailmakers, like Loren Dewar and Lincoln "Bluesy" Simmons, who feature prominently in the memoir "Me, the Boat and a Guy Named Bob." Their expertise and connections will be invaluable.

Create a Timeline:

Boat building takes time, and if Bob Dylan is your partner, you know he's going to want to hit the open seas as soon as possible. Set a realistic timeline, allowing for unexpected delays. Be prepared to negotiate if things take longer than anticipated.

Enjoy the Journey:

Building a boat is as much about the process as it is about the final product. Embrace the challenges and enjoy the ride. From felling trees by hand to negotiating with suppliers, each step will teach you something new and bring you closer to your dream of sailing the open seas with a music legend.

With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to building a boat with Bob Dylan. Remember to stay focused, adaptable, and always keep your sense of adventure alive!

Bob Dylan's career as a West Indies schooner man

Bowman's passion for boat building led him to construct his own vessel, a 40-foot gaff sloop named Just Now, from scratch. He scoured the island for appropriately shaped trees, felled them by hand, and hauled the raw lumber back to the beach. He framed up the hull, sourced hardware, and milled silver bali lumber for the planking. This hands-on experience served as a unique apprenticeship in the art of shipwrighting.

One day, fate intervened when Bowman visited family in California and reconnected with an old friend. This friend was working for a contractor who was building a house for none other than Bob Dylan in Malibu. Intrigued by Bowman's stories and photos of his boat-building endeavors in Bequia, the contractor convinced Dylan to commission a traditional boat from the island. Thus, Dylan and the contractor became partners in the construction of a 63-foot schooner, later named Water Pearl, alongside Bowman.

The construction of Water Pearl took longer than expected, and the contractor eventually grew impatient and wanted to back out. Bowman saved the partnership by offering his own boat, Just Now, in exchange for the contractor's half-share of the unfinished schooner. This bold move made Bowman and Dylan partners in the enterprise.

Over the years, Bowman and Dylan's partnership extended beyond boat building. Bowman was invited to join Dylan on tour, along with his wife and young daughter, providing a unique perspective on the life of a famous rock star. However, their journey together came to an end when Water Pearl was wrecked near the Panama Canal entrance in 1988. Despite their best efforts, the boat could not be salvaged.

The magic of the universe and a series of coincidences

In 1972, a young man from California set out on a journey to explore the world. His travels took him down the East African coast, across the oceans, and to a magical Caribbean island. This island, with its vibrant culture and music, became a pivotal point in his story. Here, he embarked on a cosmic journey of building a beautiful boat, a schooner named Water Pearl, alongside the legendary musician Bob Dylan.

The author, Chris Bowman, recounts his adventures with a sense of wonder and awe. He describes his initial meeting with Gatlin Mitchell, a raw-boned Texan, as a key moment in his life. Through their chance encounter, he found his way to the Seychelles, where he would spend the next twelve months living aboard Mitchell's boat, Hawcon. Bowman's journey to the Seychelles was filled with challenges and uncertainties, but his determination and curiosity drove him forward.

The magic of the universe shone through as Bowman's path intertwined with that of Bob Dylan. It began with a mutual friend who worked for a contractor building a house for Dylan in Malibu. This friend, upon seeing photos of Bowman's boat, shared them with his boss, sparking an obsession that led to a partnership between Dylan and the contractor. They commissioned Bowman to build them a 63-foot schooner on the beaches of Bequia.

The building of the schooner, Water Pearl, is a testament to the power of human connection and the magic of the universe. Bowman describes the granular details of the boat-building process, from finding the perfect trees in the bush to the manual labor and craftsmanship involved. The boat-building community of Bequia, including master builder Loren Dewar and sailmaker Lincoln "Bluesy" Simmons, played a crucial role in bringing Water Pearl to life.

The partnership between Bowman and Dylan was an unexpected twist of fate. When the contractor wanted to back out due to delays, Bowman offered a compromise: he gave the contractor his first boat, Just Now, in exchange for his half-share of the unfinished schooner. And so, through a series of coincidences, Bowman found himself in a partnership with one of the most iconic musicians of his time.

The story of Water Pearl and the adventures that followed is a testament to the magic of the universe and the power of human connection. Bowman's journey took him from the beaches of California to the heart of the Caribbean, where he left an indelible mark on the local boat-building community. His partnership with Dylan added a layer of intrigue to an already captivating tale.

The art of traditional boat building

In the spring of 1972, a young man from California set out on a journey that would lead him to the magical Caribbean island of Bequia and a fateful encounter with legendary musician Bob Dylan. Over forty years later, Chris Bowman shares the remarkable story of how he built a beautiful boat, the schooner Water Pearl, in partnership with Dylan. In his memoir, "Me, the Boat and a Guy Named Bob," Bowman offers a fascinating glimpse into the traditional art of boat building and the unique community that brought Water Pearl to life.

A Journey Begins

Bowman's journey began with a chance meeting in Mombasa, Kenya, with a Texan sailor named Gatlin Mitchell. Mitchell, with his neon aquamarine eyes and tales of sailing adventures, sparked Bowman's interest in the Seychelles, a tropical paradise hidden in the Indian Ocean. Armed with a copy of National Geographic, Bowman set his heart on reaching these far-flung islands, and so began his quest.

The Seychelles

After a treacherous sea voyage, Bowman arrived at the island of Mahé, where he immediately set out to find the boat and its owner that had captured his imagination back in California. Through perseverance and a bit of luck, he located the vessel, Hawcon, and its owner, Mitchell, moored just outside the port of Victoria. And so began a twelve-month journey aboard Hawcon, exploring the Seychelles.

A Boatbuilding Apprenticeship

The heart of Bowman's story lies in Bequia, a Caribbean island steeped in the tradition of boat building. Here, Bowman found himself in the company of master builders like Loren Dewar and Lincoln "Bluesy" Simmons, learning the ancient craft of shaping wood and ocean-worthy vessels with their own hands. Bowman's first project was the repair of a derelict sloop named Corsair, which he and a friend had sailed to Bequia. But his true apprenticeship began when he decided to build his own boat from scratch—a 40-foot gaff sloop named Just Now.

Building Just Now was no small feat. It required forays into the bush to find the perfect trees, felling them by hand, and hauling the raw lumber back to the beach. The hull was framed up on the shore, relying solely on eyeballs and hand tools to ensure its fairness. Silver bali lumber for planking was sourced from Guyana, and hardware was acquired through wheeling and dealing. Bowman's description of this process is granular and captivating, offering a rare glimpse into a dying art.

A Partnership is Forged

As fate would have it, Bowman's path crossed with Dylan's once again. Through a mutual connection, Bowman's photos of Just Now reached Dylan, who became obsessed with the idea of owning a traditional boat built in Bequia. Together with a high-powered contractor, Dylan commissioned Bowman to build them a 63-foot schooner on the beach. Thus began a year-long endeavor that would test Bowman's skills and result in the birth of Water Pearl.

The Launch of Water Pearl

Despite delays and challenges, Water Pearl was launched in December 1979, with much of the island turning out to help haul the majestic schooner off the beach. Bowman and Dylan became partners in this endeavor, and over the years, Bowman got to know the enigmatic musician better than most. He joined Dylan on tour, spending time in his world, and even brought his wife and young daughter along for the ride.

A Sad Ending

However, tragedy struck in 1988 when Water Pearl was lost on a reef near the Panama Canal. Bowman's willingness to share this story is a testament to his journey of growth and acceptance. In the end, Dylan's reaction to the loss was sanguine, reflecting on the cosmic nature of their partnership and the unpredictable sea.

A Legacy Endures

Through his memoir, Bowman not only shares the story of building Water Pearl but also paints a portrait of a vanished time and place—the golden age of traditional boat building in exotic locales. He introduces us to a cast of characters, from master builders to seafaring vagabonds, each with their own unique tale. "Me, the Boat and a Guy Named Bob" is a tribute to the art of traditional boat building and the enduring legacy of the vessels and their creators.

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