Just out of high school, I started working for Jack Kelly Yacht Sales. They were located on Scott Street next to Kettenberg Marine. We outfitted 44′ yachts that were imported on a cargo ship from Taiwan to the Port of San Pedro. They arrived in poor quality, my job was to refinish the wood, get the fuel and water systems working and do all of the rigging.
This was my first and only employer, I worked for Jack Kelly for 4 1/2 years. I started Morgan Boat Works in 1981, I made all of my connections with the yachting community through Jack Kelly, this made an easy transition to self-employment.

I mostly worked the docks of Shelter Island and Harbor Island doing wood working jobs. Installing teak decking, adding refrigeration units and refurbishing old wooden yachts were some of my specialties.