New kid on the block

cross the world now, bands of people are clubbing together to fund projects of almost every type imaginable: new inventions, build projects, philosophical movements… The sort of ambitions once reserved for the few, who had access to wealthy backers, are now open to all, through the media of YouTube and funding sites, like Kickstarter. It is one of the happier stories of the information age, and beneficiaries have included everything from new steam engines to a replica Mosquito fighter-bomber. The world of traditional boat restoration has been similarly touched by the possibilities on offer these days, and it’s brought a new generation of young boat restorers and builders to the fore. The have received more than 15 million views, with the single favourite (shaping the keel) attracting 908,000 viewers. On a farm in Massachusetts, two 30-something rock climbing friends, Steve Denette and Alix Kreder, are busy building a new 38ft wooden yawl to take them sailing and mountaineering around the world. Their videos on YouTube have similarly attracted views in the millions.