Bill Childs

Who We Are

Bill and Sandy Childs are the owners of BARTENDER BOATS LLC.

Bill has been an accomplished professional woodworker since 1980 - and a boat builder since 1990. He has built a wide variety of wooden boats both sail and power and has worked building offshore trawler yachts for two major boat manufacturers.

In 1998, while living in Lincoln City Oregon, Bill was given the opportunity to build his first BARTENDER – a custom 26-footer for a man who dreamed of owning one ever since salmon fishing from one in the early 1960’s.

Realizing what the BARTENDER was capable of during sea trials led to great admiration for the design.

Having caught the BARTENDER bug, Bill set-about learning as much as he could from the designer, George Calkins. Over the past ten years he has built a dozen 19 to 26 foot Bartenders to various stages of completion. Several Bartender restorations have also brought insight to the original construction of these craft. In 2004, Mr. Calkins offered the BARTENDER business to Bill so he could finally retire at the age of 92. Bill proudly accepted the role of representing the legendary design. The recent incorporation of modern technology into the BARTENDER has been a pleasurable task and one that is certain to make the boats even more enjoyable to build and own.

Bill and Sandy live in Bellingham, Washington with their spunky cat, Lacey, and energetic terrier, Shelby. Sandy teaches elementary school in Bellingham and can be found in the summer months helping out in the shop and enjoying the beautiful northwest.