Maine boatbuilder launches its first vessel
New owners at Pemaquid Marine in New Harbor, Maine, celebrated their first year of ownership in October by launching the yard’s first boat under the new management. The launch marked both an anniversary and a milestone for the small coastal boatyard as it returns to building and restoring traditional wooden vessels for local and regional owners.
The contract to build the 27-foot schooner Indian Summer was awarded to boatbuilder Ted Derivan while he operated Transom Boat Works in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. After returning to the United States, Derivan began construction in a home workshop; once the Pemaquid Marine purchase was finalized, the project moved to the yard’s facilities in New Harbor.
Indian Summer is a Phil Bolger-designed Jochems schooner, a classic small schooner form prized for balance and seaworthiness. The vessel’s owners live in Toronto and commissioned the build to capture the lines and character of traditional New England woodcraft blended with practical modern construction techniques.
Looking ahead, Pemaquid Marine plans a busy winter season. The yard will construct three new Banks Cove 22s, work on a comprehensive restoration of a 30-foot wooden motorsailer originally designed and built in 1939 by the Chaisson brothers of Swampscott, Massachusetts, and handle a range of service and maintenance projects. These activities reflect the yard’s growing focus on wooden boatbuilding, restorative conservation, and ongoing marine services. For more information on the yard’s offerings and projects, see pemaquidmarine.com (site name provided for reference).
Famed painter’s work sets new auction record
Four game-fish paintings by celebrated marine artist Stanley Meltzoff (1917–2006) achieved surprising results at a recent Jackson Hole art auction, signaling renewed collector interest in his work. The standout lot, “Bluefin at Ballyhoo” (1979), sold for nearly $32,000—roughly ten times its presale estimate—while “White Marlin” (1986) fetched over $21,000, about four times its estimate. These results underscore a resurging market for high-quality saltwater fish painting and for Meltzoff in particular.
Meltzoff is widely regarded as the foremost American saltwater game-fish painter. Born in New York, he received a classical art education and later worked as a correspondent for the Stars and Stripes newspaper during World War II. After the war he taught at the Pratt Institute and became a leading commercial artist and illustrator. Beginning with a Sports Illustrated commission in 1960, Meltzoff increasingly devoted himself to game-fish subjects, ultimately producing more than 350 canvases over his career.
Meltzoff originals are held in museums and private collections worldwide, and his detailed, action-oriented style continues to influence contemporary marine artists. A book chronicling his life and oeuvre was published in 2009 by Silverfish Press; a limited number of signed and numbered lithographs from his estate remain available through the publisher (silverfishpress.com referenced for information).
Renowned sailors join tall ship advisory board
Two of America’s most accomplished sailors, Ken Read and Jerry Kirby of Newport, Rhode Island, have joined the board of advisers for the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, a Rhode Island-based education-at-sea tall-ship project. Their participation represents a significant endorsement from the sailing community and brings deep professional experience to the project as the ship moves through construction and toward active service.
The Oliver Hazard Perry is being built to sail as a 207-foot, three-masted square rigger and when completed will be one of the largest privately owned and actively sailing tall ships in the United States. Read—an accomplished offshore racer who has competed in Volvo Ocean Races and America’s Cup events—said the project fills an important regional need. Kirby, who has sailed in multiple America’s Cup campaigns and served as crew with Read aboard Team Puma, emphasized the ship’s potential as an educational platform.
Together, Read and Kirby will advise on matters of seamanship, safety, and program development to help ensure the vessel’s training and educational missions provide engaging, real-world maritime experiences for young people. Support from figures of their stature strengthens the project’s credibility and outreach as the ship is completed and prepares to serve schools and youth programs.
This article originally appeared in the Home Waters section of the December 2010 issue.