Meet Roger Green – Boat and Cottage Builder

I recently learned about Roger Green, who lived at Otter Point on Wellesley Island for about 50 years. Roger built the cottage where he and his wife, Joan, spent their summers. The home was cantilevered over The Lake of the Isles. I learned that Roger was quite a craftsman, who could do just about anything that he planned.

Among his talents was boat building. Roger built a 14-foot Rushton rowing skiff as well as a 21-foot center console with mahogany decks. Having seen photos of his work, he was a very talented man.

Our friend Larry Kuhl was a neighbor of Roger and Joan's on Otter Point. In fact, the Greens were responsible for bringing Nancy and Larry Kuhl to the community. The Kuhls purchased an older home in serious need of updating. In the end, they removed much of the old cottage and built a new residence on Otter Point. Larry spoke of Roger’s abilities to fix most anything. It was clear that these two river guys were very fond of one another, and enjoyed working on projects in their cottages, docks and boats. In fact, Joan asked Larry to speak at Roger’s memorial service two years ago.

Roger was trained in the plumbing business and attended trade school in Canton. He operated a successful plumbing business. He and Joan lived in Liverpool, NY, when not on Wellesley Island. On the property Roger owned a 100-year-old, three-story barn where he even built an elevator between the floors. It was there that Roger built his Rushton rowing skiff and his 21-foot runabout. Joan told me that Roger never lacked for a project.

The Antique Boat Museum (ABM) periodically holds classes on boatbuilding. Some years ago, a class focused on building a Rushton 14-foot rowing skiff. Roger enthusiastically signed up for the class. He and his fellow volunteers built a lovely Rushton rowboat. That wooden rowing skiff is still in the livery at ABM today, where members and visitors can take it out for a spin on French Bay. Despite all this use, the Rushton skiff still looks great (see photo). Of course, the museum staff and volunteers periodically renew the varnish on the outside and inside of the hull.

With this experience behind him, Roger embarked on building his own Rushton 14. His barn was the perfect place to construct the rowing skiff. Roger had poured a concrete floor in the barn and installed radiant heat to keep the space warm in winter months. Roger’s daughter assisted Roger in making the oars. There are two rowing stations, but most of the time Roger took the forward rowing seat and Joan sat in the stern enjoying the ride. Sometimes she brought a parasol to give shade from the sun.

Roger also built a 21-foot center console boat for their cottage. He had been given an inboard/outboard motor and lower unit. He designed the boat to accept this 3-litre Mercruiser engine. The transom of the boat was varnished. He built a center console and added a windshield. Two marine seats were located aft of the console. The decks were varnished mahogany. The design had an upswept bow or shear line. The chines were hard, and there were built-in spray rails near the bow. The bow had a bit of a clipper boat look to it. The lines of the boat were very pleasant to the eye.

While I have only seen the boat in photos, the 21 was a handsome vessel, and it’s hard to believe that it was home built. Joan and Roger enjoyed their center console for years. Regrettably, they sold it once they sold their Otter Point cottage when Roger’s health became a factor. A nice couple with young children purchased the boat, with its trailer and keep it on Skaneateles Lake. So, Roger’s boat went to a good home.

Roger and Joan were married for over 52 years. As Joan was reminiscing about Roger, it was apparent how much he was missed. Just like when Larry recalls his times with Roger you could sense that this man was not only skilled but also was cherished as a friend and neighbor. Roger Green was a genuine River Rat. I regret that I never had a chance to meet him. Yet, I was so impressed by Roger’s talents that Anne and I recently purchased the Rushton skiff from Joan Green. We named it “Whisper” and keep it at our cottage on Tennis Island. We love rowing it around Boldt Castle and neighboring islands. We felt that this was a proper tribute to the man who built the skiff.

By Rick A. Casali

Rick Casali is a resident of Wellesley Island. During his youth, from 1947 to 1976, his parents had a cottage on Grindstone Island named The Orchards. Rick now splits his time between Stuart, FL, and the River. He worked for Columbia Gas System for 29 years and ran their Washington, DC office. Then in 2000, he started brokering boats and yachts, and he continues as a broker with North Point Yacht Sales. Rick and his wife Anne cruise the River in a recently purchased a 1968 Chris Craft 31 Commander which they named  "Foxtrot".  They also have the Seaway 24 named  "Miss Annie".

Be sure to see more of Rick Casali's tributes and reviews. He has now written 23 articles for TI Life, and they are not only interesting but also provides an important historical review of River life.