It's not your typical front-yard project.
After spending nearly three years and approximately $120,000 on a gargantuan project to single-handedly build a 44-foot pilothouse trawler in the front yard of his Garibaldi Highlands home, Wayne Potts had the boat hauled into the waters of the Howe Sound on a sunny Wednesday afternoon (June 2).
"It feels pretty good right now I must say," said Potts. "I worked on it pretty much every night after dinner and most weekends. Thankfully, my neighbours have been absolutely super about this."
A carpenter by trade, Potts said the idea to build the boat had started about four years ago when he was building some cedar-strip canoes. He had plenty of experience building strange houses, and thought building a boat couldn't be any worse - so away he went. He had originally planned to refurbish an old fishing trawler but decided on the custom design instead.
"I've always wanted to build a boat so we just started it one day," he said. "I love being on the water. Take the watch off, turn off the phone and as soon as you hit the water it's complete relaxation."
But it was more than just building a boat for Potts - it was a dream.
"Everybody should have a dream and just go for it. This was mine."
Potts had hoped to have the boat finished for his father to see, but unfortunately that didn't happen. He decided to name the boat "Enspiritu", to honour the spirit of his parents. The first two letters stand for Eric and Norma, and spiritu means spirit in Spanish.
"My father unfortunately didn't get to see if finished but he was the one who talked me into building it."
The boat will be used for extended family cruising around Howe Sound, into Desolation Sound and for future planned trips to Alaska.
The interior is entirely appointed in teak, and is built to sleep eight people comfortably, with plenty more room on top for tents.
"He's done an incredible job for a one-man army," said fellow boat-owner Les Smith. "It's a remarkable feat to build this boat in just a couple of years - truly amazing."
Potts' wife, Pam, agrees 100 per cent.
"I think my husband is amazing," she said."Three years was too long but I truly am proud of him. When he first started, he didn't know if he could do it - but he did."
