Friends of Boat Builder Central,
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of our friend, colleague, and founder of Boat Builder Central/Bateau, Jacques Mertens-Goossens.
Jacques passed away early morning, Tuesday, April 5th, while in the care of Hospice in Vero Beach, FL.
Jacques was an accomplished naval architect/engineer and will be sorely missed. He was passionate about boats, this company that he founded back in 1986, and the customer base he engaged with on a daily basis.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
-Jeff, Reid, and Crystal
Jaques Mertens-Goossens
Jaques Mertens-Goossens
Someone asked me, if I were stranded on a desert island what book would I bring... "How to Build a Boat."
- Steven Wright
- Steven Wright
Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
Reid please express my sympathy to Jaques family. I met them when they made a trip up here to the mountains several years ago. They had just finished a bike ride at the Tsali bike trails. May he rest in peace among the sailors in the sky's. He will be missed as he was always there to support the builders with kind words when needed or a pointer to get them going again.
This is truly shocking news as he was not that old.
Tom
This is truly shocking news as he was not that old.
Tom
Last edited by TomW1 on Thu Apr 06, 2023 12:37 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Restored Mirror Dinghy, Bought OD18 built by CL, Westlawn School of Yacht Design courses. LT US Navy 1970-1978
Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
Truly sad news. My condolences to his family and friends.
Mick
Mick
FB11 (Designer Evan Gatehouse)
VG23 (Designer Jacques Mertens)
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, con a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. Robert A. Heinlein.
VG23 (Designer Jacques Mertens)
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, con a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. Robert A. Heinlein.
- Jaysen
- * Bateau Builder *
- Posts: 6583
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- Location: St Helena Island, SC
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Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
I never met Jaques in person, but he was very helpful and friendly when we conversed online. I always brag to folks that my little V12 was built with the supervision of the designer and all my modifications were laughed at by him directly. I hope that Lil Bit and I will continue to prove how well-thought-out his small boat designs are. His spirit will be here every time I'm out there enjoying the beauty of his hull design.
Add my condolences to those of the others.
Add my condolences to those of the others.
-
- * Bateau Builder - Expert *
- Posts: 10357
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:25 am
Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
Please offer my condolences to the family. Thanks.
Dan
Dan
-
- * Bateau Builder - Expert *
- Posts: 9077
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:23 am
- Location: Kasilof, Alaska
Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
X2 That is tough news and very surprising. I know he will be missed by many of us.
- cape man
- * Bateau Builder - Expert *
- Posts: 8425
- Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:02 pm
- Location: Lithia, Florida
Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
What a loss.
The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before - Neil Gaiman
Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
Very sad news! JM was a legend and his awesome FS14LS design has brought us on innumerable adventures in the 3-4 years we've used the boat.
There are only two seasons in Vermont: boating season, and boat-building season.
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie
Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
Very sorry to hear. I will sure miss his advice and posts here. Wish I’d gotten to meet him in person.
Jbo
Jbo
Re: Jaques Mertens-Goossens
Heartbreaking.
Dougster
Dougster
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