The pandemic did little to slow Maine’s boatbuilding industry; if anything, demand has accelerated. A recent tour of six Maine yards revealed packed boatsheds full of new builds and refits. From custom traditional work to modern cold-molded and composite designs, Maine continues to draw buyers from across the U.S. and around the world seeking high-quality construction and expert naval architecture.
Buyers come for new builds, rebuilds and refits in both classic and contemporary styles. Yards are choosing to work at capacity while maintaining a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and quality. Trends include wider adoption of outboard power for many new models and sustained interest in sailboats, aided by Penobscot Bay—one of the planet’s premier sailing areas. At the same time, Maine builders are integrating modern tools and technologies, such as 5-axis CNC cutters, alongside time-honored handwork: chisels, mallets, gold leaf application and fine paint detailing. Attention to detail remains a defining feature of Maine boatbuilding.
BROOKLIN BOAT YARD
Brooklin Boat Yard (BBY), founded by Joel White in 1960, remains synonymous with elegant, classically styled boats. Under Steve White’s leadership the yard continues that legacy and remains busy with a steady stream of commissions.
Late last year BBY launched Legend, the first Wheeler 38, a modern take on Ernest Hemingway’s Pilar, built for the revived Wheeler Yacht Company. The Wheeler 38 echoes Pilar’s lines while employing contemporary cold-molded construction and modern systems—touchscreen electronics, iPad/iPhone control, air conditioning, autopilot, a Seakeeper stabilizer, generator and refrigeration.
In May, BBY delivered the Aroha 29, a 29-foot-10-inch coastal cruiser built from a CNC kit based on a Peter Sewell design discovered in New Zealand. With a 38-hp diesel the Aroha 29 proves economical, burning about .26 gph at 7.5 knots and 2.1 gph at 17 knots.
Other projects include a Jim Taylor 44-foot sailboat, Equipoise, bound for Marina del Rey, and a BBY 32 Express Cruiser fitted with twin 250-hp outboards aimed at a 40-knot top speed. The yard is also undertaking an extensive refit on a 65-foot Sparkman & Stephens motorsailer from the 1960s, which is receiving a new bottom, interior, systems and deck—much of it mahogany—showcasing the yard’s capacity for both restoration and modern performance builds.
ROCKPORT MARINE
Rockport Marine specializes in traditional wooden construction and high-quality refits while occasionally taking on modern builds. Inside the shed, craftsmen are combining old-school woodworking with advanced composite techniques. On a 45-foot Bill Tripp-designed sailboat named Mist, workers fine-tune Alaskan yellow cedar trim, plane Douglas fir carlins, and fit carbon and wood laminate structures. At the same time, Rockport is restoring the 1936 William Fife III yawl Latifa, applying gold leaf and updating systems.
Latifa’s refit includes a new forward cabin, repowering, and comprehensive cosmetic and systems work to restore the yacht’s original grandeur. Meanwhile the contemporary Mist blends carbon, foam core and wood laminates, featuring a carbon lifting mechanism, a bulb keel from England, and carbon spars. Rockport’s willingness to tackle a modern Bill Tripp design alongside classic restorations highlights the yard’s versatility in both traditional wooden boatbuilding and advanced composite construction.
FRONT STREET SHIPYARD
Front Street Shipyard, established in 2011 on the Belfast waterfront, has grown into one of Maine’s largest full-service yards. Employing more than 100 workers and equipped to handle vessels up to 200 feet with a 440-ton lift, the yard also accommodates smaller custom builds and refits.
Inside Shed 6, the shop is filled with diverse projects: a Holland 30 lobsterboat adapted for twin outboards, a converted Cape Cod pilot boat becoming a Swans Island mailboat, and a 1980s Hood 50 receiving an interior and systems refresh. The 151-foot Palmer Johnson expedition yacht Pioneer is undergoing painting, HVAC upgrades, engine work and seven new heads. Front Street recently installed a powerful 5-axis CNC cutter with waterjet capability and a high-capacity vacuum lift, expanding the yard’s precision fabrication abilities.
The yard operates at high utilization and is selective about new work; paint crews and other trades are often fully booked. Front Street’s public walkway invites locals and visitors to watch the busy seven-acre operation—where Maine Maritime Academy students, supervised by Bowdoin’s captain and crew, have taken part in painting the century-old Arctic exploration schooner Bowdoin as part of hands-on restoration efforts.
JOHN’S BAY BOAT COMPANY
John’s Bay Boat Company represents the enduring appeal of plank-on-frame wooden lobsterboats. Peter Kass, who builds one boat at a time, is known for producing vessels prized for their ride, quietness and longevity. Many commercial lobstermen choose a Kass-built boat to reduce fatigue and extend their working careers; recreational buyers appreciate the classic lines and handcrafted interiors.
Kass began his career in the 1970s and opened his own shop decades ago, remaining committed to traditional wooden construction even as steel and composite methods gained popularity. His boats are highly sought after and often inspire repeat customers who commission a different size or configuration. Currently his shop is finishing a red-hulled 46-foot boat—likely his 75th build—with elegant wooden interiors that belie the vessel’s working-boat future.
Launches attract crowds, but Kass remains modest and lets the boats speak for themselves. His work continues to embody the craftsmanship and timeless appeal of Maine’s wooden-boat tradition.
LYMAN-MORSE BOATBUILDING
Lyman-Morse diversified after the 2008 recession, expanding into hospitality, marina operations and metalworking while maintaining a strong boatbuilding program. The Thomaston yard has continued to produce high-end custom and semi-custom boats, including cold-molded modern classics and performance cruisers.
Recent highlights include the Hood 57 LM Express Cruiser and the development of the LM46, a cold-molded performance cruiser designed by Cabot Lyman in collaboration with New Zealand designer Kevin Dibley. The LM46 aims to be a practical, fast, wash-and-wear cruiser that’s quick to get underway and easy to handle. Hull No. 1 and No. 2 have been built from Douglas fir and Western red cedar laminates and are nearing completion.
Lyman-Morse is also building the Hood 35 Express Cruiser, a smaller cold-molded model powered by twin Yanmar diesels and Hamilton jets, targeted for day and weekend trips with a cruise in the 30-knot range. The company’s hotel, metalworking plant and marina projects complement boatbuilding activities and help stabilize the business. Despite pandemic uncertainties, Lyman-Morse has sustained momentum and continues to deliver cutting-edge builds and refinements in classic and contemporary wood-composite construction.
WESMAC CUSTOM BOATS
Wesmac Custom Boats in Surry is busy across its bays with diverse projects: government work for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, multiple refits, a sportfisher modified for a tall owner, and a 54-foot vessel converted into a floating aquaculture classroom for urban students. The yard balances new builds with complex refits and specialized commercial work.
One notable project involved stretching a 2008 Wesmac 50 into a Wesmac 58, now Select, which will be operated by Linda Greenlaw Wessel for private tours. The rebuild retains key mechanical components while enlarging the cockpit for passenger operations. Wesmacs are valued for their wide beam and hard-chine hulls, delivering excellent seakeeping and confidence in challenging conditions—a feature Greenlaw recalled when her crew realized the boat handled rough seas better than most.
Wesmac owner Steve Wessel acknowledges strong demand for the brand but prefers measured growth. The yard’s focus remains on delivering reliable, well-built boats suited to commercial and recreational needs.
This article was originally published in the August 2021 issue.