In 1978, Brian Portman launched the 65-foot fibreglass Someday – a boat he’d built from scratch and that he still charters as a party boat in the Vancouver harbour.
The clamps Portman, now nearly 80 years old, used all those decades ago to build the Someday were used on many a boat since, and they still sat in the now-retired boatbuilder’s Sechelt workshop.
Until they – and all the rest of Portman’s tools – were gone.
Portman and his wife Cathy spent the past few months overwintering in Arizona, in a fire truck that Portman had converted into an RV.
When the couple returned to the Coast April 5, preparing to ready the Someday for another summer on the water, they found that thieves had cleaned out Portman’s Parkway Drive workshop.
All that was left was a screwdriver bit on the ground, said Portman.
Portman estimates that it would have taken thieves two days to clear out the tools – more than $40,000 worth the Portmans believe – sometime between March 15 and 29.
“Many of the hand tools I’ve had for almost a lifetime,” said Portman. “Major hand tools, pry bars, clamps, sledge hammers, come alongs.”
Naturally, there were also expensive modern electric tools, including a 60 gallon Speedaire air compressor, 2600 PSI pressure washer and a 5,000 watt remote start generator.
Portman’s 65th birthday present to himself – stainless steel five-foot tall mechanics drawers – was also gone.
And it wasn’t just the tools, the thieves also took the work benches, work tables and the boards that held the labelled hangings for the wrenches.
“This wasn’t a smash and grab. These weren’t people who were desperate, who needed 100 bucks,” said Portman. “This was thorough.
“My thought at the time was, ‘My, somebody is equipping their shop.’”
As a professional boat builder for 35 years, the tools were Portman’s trade.
“Next to the sensualities of life and food, [tools] are amongst the most important things to a man who uses his hands,” said Portman. “Philosophically, they’re an extension of our hands.”
“For anybody who uses their hands and uses their tools, the tools are incredibly personal.”
While the building and tools were insured for $40,000, the sentimental value is incalculable.
“They took all my clamps. Those clamps have been part of me for almost 50 years,” said Portman.
A report has been made with the Sunshine Coast RCMP, who are investigating. If anyone saw anything suspicious in the vicinity of 4377 Parkway Drive between March 15 and March 29, the Portmans ask they get in touch with Cathy at [email protected].
