3/18/2011
Annual Maine Boatbuilders Show - March 18-20, 2011
The Maine Boatbuilders Show, now in its 24th year, will be held at the Portland Company Complex on Fore Street in Portland. It is a Gathering of the finest fiberglass and wooden boat builders on the East Coast. You will be able to meet the builders of sailboats, powerboats, canoes, kayaks and rowing boats with the builders there to discuss and sell their work. Many members of Maine Built Boats will be at the show. Three days of seminars for all who love boats.

8/16/2010
MBB Announces "Open Boatyard Days"
MBB is proud to announce Maine's First Open Boatyard Days. Maine Built Boats will work with boatbuilders, boatyards, and affiliated businesses across the State of Maine to present “Open Boatyard Days”. Open Boatyard Days will be held August 16th & 17th, 2010, in boatyards and boatbuilding companies across the state. People will be allowed to tour the insides of companies of all sizes. This is a unique opportunity for the public to learn more about boatbuilding in Maine, and to see first hand the passion that boatbuilders have for their art.

The dates will build upon the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show, held in Rockland August 13th-15th. People can visit the show and see a very broad array of boats, then go on to visit the boatbuilders, boatyards, and affiliated businesses at their location. Tours will be available at participating businesses every hour, on the hour, between 10 am and 3 pm.

For a full listing of participating companies, check our Events page.

10/29/2009
Maine Built Boats will exhibit at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Maine Built Boats will exhibit at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show October 29-November 2. We will be at the Bahia Mar show, in Y & D Tent booth 727-728. The show is the world's largest boat show, and is in 6 locations, and encompasses over 3 million square feet of space. Stop by and visit with some of our builders and see what is new in the Maine Boatbuilding Industry.

9/17/2009
Maine Built Boats to attend Newport International Boat Show
MBB will exhibit at the Newport International Boat Show September 17-20, in Newport, RI, in tent G, bppth 43-44. Sail & Power boats from around the country will be there, as well as thousands of products and services. Many MBB members will be exhibiting at the show and helping with the Maine Built Boats booth, including Artisan Boatworks, Back Cove Yachts, Callinectes Boatworks, Classic Boat Shop, Great Island Boatyard, Hinckley, John Williams Boat Company, The Landing School, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, Morris Yachts and Morris Service, Portland Boat Mattress, Portland Yacht Services, and Sabre Yachts. Our Sponsors Ocean Options, Epifanes, and Variprop will be there as well! We hope to see there!

8/7/2009
Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show
Tradition Shapes Innovation™ at the 7th Annual Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show. Maine’s only in-water boat and home show will feature the state’s finest artists, architects, boatbuilders, craftsmen, designers, furniture makers, marine gear vendors, and musicians. A new area will explore alternative energy sources and building practices, energy audits, and sustainability. There'll be a model yacht pond, live music, a marine activities area for the kids, fine Maine food, the running of the 7th Annual World Championship Boatyard Dog® Trials (Sunday at 10:30), and the Great Pen Bay Zucchini Boat Regatta (Saturday at 2:00). Admission: $10 adults, under 12 free. Gates open at 10 a.m. daily. Harbor and Buoy parks, Rockland. No pets allowed. www.maineboats.com. 800-565-4951

5/6/2009
Callinectes Boatworks receives a MTI seed grant
Callinectes Boatworks, LLC, a start-up company located in Kennebunkport, Maine, received a Maine Technology Institute (MTI) Seed Grant to develop production tooling for a new Maine designed and built runabout. Callinectes (Latin for “beautiful swimmer”) Boatworks, specializes in runabouts in the classic style of the 1940’s and 1950’s, using modern technology and materials to maximize enjoyment on the water. Fiberglass hulls coupled to hand-crafted laid wood decks; a fuel-efficient, low-emissions engine driving a jet-pump; and room for the entire family reflects the company’s operating principles: safety, environmental stewardship, beauty, and family fun. Launched in July 2008, the prototype attended many shows and garnered formidable interest. Test rides scheduled well into October, encouraged Callinectes Boatworks to move ahead with production plans and the design of a larger craft. The first hull from the new tooling is scheduled to hit the production floor in June.

4/24/2009
Gov. Baldacci Honors Lyman Morse Boatbuilding as Environmental Leader
Governor John E. Baldacci joined Maine Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David Littel Friday to recognize five Maine companies for voluntarily participating in the Department's "Environmental Leaders of Maine: Smart Growth through Smart Production" program. The program provides a blueprint for businesses to follow to exceed environmental compliance standards and to become mentors in the business community.

“You are proving that Maine can become more energy independent, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants, and reduce the use of toxic chemicals – at the same time we grow green jobs and the Maine economy,” Governor Baldacci said. “From energy efficiency and onshore wind to offshore tidal, wind and wave, these are exciting times that will lead to a cleaner and more secure energy future in Maine.”

1/26/2009
Compass Project Starts Youth Composites Program at Maine Advanced Technology Center
The Compass Project is opening a satellite boat building program in Brunswick for its Youth Apprentice Program. The goal of the program is to teach at-risk youth the latest composite technology being used in the boat building industry. The program is a collaboration between the Compass Project, Jobs for Maine Graduates and the Maine Advanced Technology Center in Brunswick. Students from Morse H.S. in Bath will attend the 16-week program at MATC beginning January 26, 2009.

The Youth Apprentice Program offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to learn and use composite infusion techniques in order to build a small dinghy.

The Compass Project is in its seventh year of working with at-risk youth in the greater Portland area. More than 900 youth from Greater Portland elementary, middle and high schools have benefited from Compass Project programs.

6/21/2008
Bass Tournament Victory on a PYY 22
Young anglers Tyler McKenna and Ryan Perkins won first and second honors at the Wentworth Striper Tournament in New Castle, NH. Tyler's striper came in at 46", and Ryan's came in at 41". Besides victory and honor, both won some great trophies and foul weather gear!

The tournament was the First Annual Wentworth Marina Striper Tournament for Kids. It was held to benefit the Seacoast Science Center in Rye NH.

The boat, a PYY 22, designed and built by Kittery Point Boat Builders, performed as well as the kids.

6/5/2008
WoodenBoat School Summer Courses have timeless appeal
The WoodenBoat School is off to a busy start for their summer 2008 programs. Offering a broad variety of courses for people with an interest in boats. WoodenBoat School Director Rich Helsinger reports “It’s probably our strongest season since 2000. We’re attracting alumni, new people and a lot of young people.”

As always, the courses emphasize hands-on learning, offering students a chance to learn new skills, new ways of doing things. “There are always new courses each year,” Hilsinger said, adding that the latest offering — building your own wooden surfboard — filled the first day it was offered. Courses in seamanship, steel welding and sailmaking are available.

6/4/2008
Kenway wins Maine MEP Manufacturer of the Year
The Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maine MEP) is pleased to announce Kenway Corporation, a nationally known fabricator of fiberglass products, is the recipient of this year’s Maine MEP Manufacturer of the Year award. The award will be presented at a ceremony at Kenway Corporation’s facility in Augusta on Wednesday, June 4th at 10 a.m. The award is presented every year to a company that has achieved world-class manufacturing status and has implemented best manufacturing practices required to advance in the marketplace.

Established in 1947 as Kenway Boats, Kenway Corporation has evolved into a fiberglass manufacturing company for the marine, pulp and paper, and power industries. They build Maritime boats at their plant in Augusta.

6/1/2008
Maine Boatbuilders Featured in Classic Yacht
Maine Boatbuilders were featured in the new online magazine Classic Yacht in their May Issue. Bill Prince, publisher of Classic Yacht, knew that Maine Boatbuilders make a great variety of daysailers. Featured in this article are Morris Yachts and their M36, Artisan Boatworks with their Dark Harbor 17, and Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, with their full restoration of a New York 30.

6/1/2008
Maine Boatbuilders Featured in Executive Traveller
Executive Traveler Magazine is "a luxury travel magazine for the business traveler focusing on corporate retreats, client entertainment, and luxury destinations" featured Maine Boatbuilders on the cover of their May issue and in an article entitled "To the Boatyard Born." In it, they profile Broolkin Boatyard, Hinckley Yachts, Hodgdon Yachts, Morris Yachts and Rockport Marine.

5/31/2008
Atlantic Challenge & Landing School in the news
For many people, traditional classroom learning with lectures and papers leaves much to be desired. In this article, in the Boston Globe, explores IYRS, The Landing School, and Atlantic Challenge and how they meet the interests of students as well as the growing demand for trained workers in the marine industry.

4/5/2008
Atlantic Boat's latest will travel to the Amazon
Atlantic Boat Company just launched a Duffy & Duffy 42 that is leaving home for good. "She’s headed to the mouth of the Amazon," said Atlantic Boat owner Nate Hopkins. "The guy who bought her is a free diver. He shoots fish with a spear gun. He has to go out 100 to 150 miles offshore to get to clear water because of all the silt coming down from the Amazon."

Like all the boats that Atlantic Boat builds, she is built on a traditional lobster boat V-hull. Topside and inside, each of the boats is customized to fit the owners needs, wherever they may be.

3/17/2008
Maine Built Boats Launches Brand Campaign
Maine Built Boats launched their new brand campaign during the Maine Boatbuilder's Show at the Portland Museum of Art. After much research into the commonalities between the builders, the "Art & Soul" campaign was created. It focuses on the shared qualities of ingenuity, authenticity, craftsmanship, pride in their work, and the integrity of the builders.

The campaign will begin appearing in National and International magzines this month.

3/11/2008
Hodgdon Yachts expanding to Richmond, Maine
Hodgdon Yachts is opening a new facility in Richmond, Maine. The new shop, located in 30,000 feet of an old shoe factory, will be dedicated to building exclusively yacht interiors. Hodgdon plans to build interiors for other yacht makers, and to invest over $1,000,000 in this facility.

"Our craftsmen create what we consider to be practically works of art," Andy Wright, COO of Hodgdon Yachts said. "Maine is known for very high-quality vessels and innovation." They plan to bring between 15 and 17 workers from their headquarters in East Boothbay to the new location, and to hire up to 35 more workers within the next 2 years. President Tim Hodgdon is the fifth generation to run Hodgdon, believed to be the oldest continuously running shipyard in America.

1/21/2008
Sabre 34 Hardtop Express wins Boat of the Year from British Marine Press
The Sabre 34 Hard Top Express was named boat of the year by the British marine press. Both Motor Boats Monthly and Motor Boat and Yachting chose the Sabre 34 in the Traditional/Retro category.

Carl Richardson, Editor of MBM, and Hugo Andreae, Editor of Motor Boat and Yachting said, "This American yard has an enviable reputation for it’s no-nonsense build quality coupled with handsome, dignified, “Down-easter” looks and a wall-to-wall wood fit out that smacks of a gentleman’s yacht. However what really impressed us was the boat’s imperious 25 knot performance in near-gale conditions. Out there the stiff upper lip looks were replaced with a very satisfied grin as you lounge in the leather arm chair at the sheltered helm and pilot your craft through the madness outside. It is a testament to the entire range of classic cruisers that the 34’s larger sibling the Sabre 38 also made it to the short list.”

1/11/2008
Hodgdon Yachts Launches New Navy Seal Transport Vessel
Hodgdon Yachts, of Boothbay Harbor, launched a new composite version of the Navy Seals "Mark V" patrol boat Friday morning. The current Mark V boats are constructed of aluminum, and the G-forces that the crews experience often leave them exhausted before their missions begin. The new prototype is 50% stronger, and slightly lighter, than the current Mark V. Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, christened the vessel. Also in attendance at the launch were Representative Tom Allen D-Maine, Captain Evan Thompson, Commander of Special Warfare Group, Dr. Robert Kennedy of the University of Maine, Dr. John Pazik, Office of Naval Research, Rev. Peter Panagore, Radio Parish Church, and Commissioner John Richardson, Department of Economic and Community Development for Maine.

12/14/2007
Sailing World Chooses Sabre Spirit as a Boat of the Year
Sailing World Magazine's panel of judges chose the Sabre Spirit "Best Daysailer" in its annual Boats of the Year issue. The judges noted the 37' Spirit is extremely easy to set up, to sail short handed or with crew. She can be used as a daysailer, weekender, or competitive racer. She has a PHRF rating of 87, and won Marblehead PHRF's Boat of the Year, as well.

12/4/2007
Brooklin Boat Yard's Anna graces the SAIL magazine's November cover
Sail Magazine featured ANNA on the cover of its November issue. The 56' Sparkman & Stephens design has combined the best of traditional design & looks with modern technology. She is cold molded, features a carbon fiber mast & spars, a spade rudder & a fin keel with a ballast bulb. She took top honors at Eggamoggin Reach this summer, beating Dorade by 7 minutes.

10/24/2007
Maine Boatbuilders Featured in USA Today
USA Today reports that Maine Boatbuilders face the challenge of finding enough skilled labor in Maine to fully staff their yards. They site industry experts as well as a study that was commissioned by Maine Built Boats. The State of Maine was awarded a $15 million dollar Federal Economic Development Grant to help this sector of the economy and assist with training for workers, as boat building has added several hundred jobs and $19 million in wages since 2000.

10/9/2007
Maine Boatbuilders Featured in Boston Globe
The combination of a growing industry, an aging workforce, and the demand for highly skilled labor has presented Maine Boatbuilders with a unique challenge. Education programs, outreach, increased number of apprenticeships, and scholarships have been introduced to try remedy the problem.

6/17/2007
New Technology Helps Maine Boatyards Build on Tradition
Maine boatbuilders are leading the industry in search of new ways to build boats, said Habib Dagher, director of the University of Maine's Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center, which works with boatyards to develop new products and manufacturing systems.

1/18/2007
Maine’s Boat Building Industry: Obstacles & Opportunities
The report draws on previous reports—most notably Professor Charles Colgan’s 2002 investigation of the marine trades in Maine1—on government statistics drawn both from the Maine Department of Labor and the U.S. Bureau of the Census and from interviews with a wide range of participants in the industry, including boat builders, marina operators, boat dealers and brokers, educators, government policy makers and industry leaders.

6/7/2006
Maine boatbuilding gets a promotional push
Boatbuilding might soon join lobsters and lighthouses as Maine’s most marketable attributes.
Boatbuilders throughout the state — from the small one-man shops to large, nationally recognized companies — have banded together to promote, worldwide, the state’s boatbuilding industry. The group, known as Maine Built Boats, is not a trade organization. Rather, it is a nonprofit marketing organization designed to boost brand awareness in the United States and beyond.