#149 Conor & Tom McLaughlin: Red Bay Boats

<p>Red Bay Boats is a family business in Cushendall that has built over 1000 boats and 'shipped' to 30+ different countries around the world.</p> <p> </p> <p>After reading a book on boat building Tom McLaughlin dropped out of school to restore an old rotten rowboat.</p> <p> </p> <p>Since then, Red Bay have made boats used by the royal family, anti-pirate authorities, ferries, tour-guides and fishermen.</p> <p> </p> <p>His son Conor — now a master-boat builder himself — works full-time in the family business and is responsible for building and delivering their bespoke vessels as far as Svalbard; an island 500 miles north of Norway.</p> <p> </p> <p>In today's episode we caught up with Tom and Conor on their boat for this Father's day special to talk about:</p> <ul> <li>The fascinating link between the North Coast and Scotland (which is closer to Cushendall than Ballymena)<br /> <br /></li> <li>What it's like to work so closely with family<br /> <br /></li> <li>How they "make memories" for their customers<br /> <br /></li> <li>The camaraderie of the local sailing community<br /> <br /></li> <li>And the challenges/successes they've experienced along the way.</li> </ul> <p><br /> This fascinating episode — set to the soundtrack of the North Coast waves — shares the story on an incredible family carrying on Northern Ireland's shipbuilding legacy and having a lot of fun along the way.</p> <p> </p> <p>You'd be daft to miss it!</p> <p> </p> <p>//</p> <p> </p> <p>Link to webpage for this episode: <a href= "https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/red-bay-boats">https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/red-bay-boats</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Best Of Belfast is Northern Ireland's #1 Interview Podcast. We've shared 100+ hour-long conversations with incredible people from Northern Ireland.</p> <p> </p> <p>To find out more, or join 'The Producers Club' please visit <a href= "https://bestofbelfast.org/">https://bestofbelfast.org/</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Cheers!</p> <p> </p> <p>— Matt </p>