Hodgdon Shipbuilding began in 1816. As I like to say, that is 4 years before Maine became a state. My career started in 1971 when I was still in high school, working summers and school vacations in my father’s (Sonny Hodgdon) small yard of half a dozen or so employees. He was a traditional “plank on frame” wooden boatbuilder. The first new boat I worked on was Sea Fever, that we built for Bobby Brown who was portrayed in the book/movie “The Perfect Storm”. I learned a lot working with those traditional boatbuilders including my father, Neil Jones, our bookkeeper Alice Thompson (who was the daughter of Boothbay Harbor boatbuilder Norman Hodgdon), and many others. Going back to 1816, I believe the company has built something north of 460 boats of all types. Most were built well before me by skilled wooden boatbuilders, building “state of the art” vessels of the day. How they built the boats that they did, I will never know. It is hard to imagine what they would think about boatbuilding today.

After graduating from Wentworth Institute in 1975, I spent 2 years offshore lobstering on the edge of the continental shelf on a 50’ boat that we built for “Marbleheader” Hugh Bishop. I later spent a season sword fishing on Sea Fever and following that, fishing with my good friend Charlie Begin. I learned a lot about working hard on the water with these guys and have tremendous respect for all the hardworking fishermen and mariners.

Always knowing that I would eventually rejoin the yard full time, in 1984 I became president of the company, and we began to “reinvent” the business by establishing a relationship with world class Californian yacht designer Bruce King who now lives in East Boothbay. Bruce has a keen eye, and we built a number of yachts to his designs including the 80’ M/Y Liberty, 124’ sloop Antonisa, and 155’ ketch Scheherazade. Subsequently, we grew the company to 5 divisions, building vessels from large sailing yachts with extraordinary interiors to an advanced composite “technology demonstrator” for the US Navy Special Forces/Office of Naval Research in partnership with UMAINE, as well as other contracts. Between 2010 and 2014 we built two very complex, 83’ carbon/Kevlar 5,400 HP, triple waterjet vessels and we delivered Comanche, a 100’ advanced composite super-maxi. Comanche smashed the transatlantic crossing record by a monohull shaving approximately 27 hours off the previous 6-day record as well as setting various other performance sailing records. At peak, the company grew to 150 talented and highly skilled people from managers, joiners, wood carvers, painters, systems people, advanced composite technicians, etc. including a team of in-house designers and engineers to support our yard’s construction. I was fortunate to be involved with this group of boatbuilders. It was a challenging but exciting time in large part due to the talents and innovation of our people from the Boothbay Region, the State of Maine, and elsewhere.

We founded the Shipyard Cup in 2002 to bring superyacht sailing to Boothbay Harbor for boats over 70’ which ran for 11 years. SYC Classics Challenge continues today as a somewhat revised event that still includes impressive sailing that is great for the Boothbay Region. It is part of the BHYC annual regatta.

Today we have downsized the company to 65-70 employees and are focused on the more predictable service side of our business and the still challenging but less risky superyacht tender business. We still have a very talented group across the company. This year, among other contracts in progress, we delivered an all-electric, carbon fiber 35’ recreational boat and we remain a diverse company, being the only yard in the US building infused superyacht limousines and tenders, under the Production leadership of Robbie Ham and team. Our service yard (which includes the marinas in Boothbay Harbor and Southport) is busy and known for quality/customer service thanks to GM/CFO Don O’Grady and our talented, dedicated staff. My daughter Audrey is Managing Director of boatbuilding and Sales/Marketing Director of the consolidated company. Her husband Caleb is in the engineering department and manages customer service and support.

Andy Tyska's career in the marine industry began in Fox Lake, Illinois, where he worked on small boats. His passion for boats and boatbuilding was evident, leading him to pursue skills in design and engineering. Andy graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, co-founding the engineering and design firm Bristol Harbor Group. These experiences laid the groundwork for an impactful journey in marine industry.

Andy’s career has been shaped by working with industry legends in the Bristol, Rhode Island, boatbuilding community. During his time working for Halsey Herreshoff, he learned from the grandson of the famous Nathanael Herreshoff much about the boatbuilding and manufacturing process. This early mentorship shaped Andy's approach to boatbuilding, as he connected and learned from other prominent figures like Barrett Holby, Eric Goetz, Kim Roberts, and John Merrifield.

One of the most significant influences on Andy's career was Ted Hood, with whom he worked alongside with Ted Fontaine and Matthew Smith on the design of custom sailing and power yachts and the development of the Whisperjet Powerboat Series. The insights and expertise gained from these experiences helped Andy refine his boatbuilding philosophy, blending tradition with modern techniques.

In 1998, Andy founded Bristol Marine, allowing him to further connect with the boatbuilding and restoration traditions in Rhode Island. Upon expanding Bristol Marine operations to Somerset, Massachusetts and Boothbay Harbor, Maine a network of skilled craftsmen was created to take on any project, from tallships to tenders. At Bristol Marine, he collaborated with some of the most skilled boatbuilders, working on a variety of projects that Andy Tyska, Founder/CEO Bristol Marine spanned both fiberglass and wood construction. His experience in various aspects of boatbuilding includes the completion of a 34-foot fiberglass sailboat and the design and production of the Bristol Harbor 21, leading to dozens of completed boats on the water. Other notable projects are the restoration and conversion of a 1911 40-foot wooden launch, and the new construction of a classic Peapod using modern techniques. It was a career defining event to play a part in the the restoration of the Ernestina Morrissey that was reborn at Bristol Marine’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor of several years.

Andy is currently involved in the completion of the second Bristol 30 in a three boat series. This project is significant as it carries on the vision and efforts of other local boatbuilders and connects the skills and expertise of craftsmen from each Bristol Marine facilities. Andy Tyska is proud to be part of a team of incredible, passionate, and committed individuals that each play a part in the collaborative effort necessary to build and restore boats. His commitment to bringing unique boatbuilding projects to life is a testament to his passion for the craft and dedication to the boatbuilding community.

Over one hundred vessels have slid down the ways into Linekin Bay out of Paul E. Luke, Inc. boat yard: lobster boats, power cruisers, sailboats (race and cruising) both wood and aluminum.

There is only one boatbuilder in this boatyard. Make no mistake whose yard it was, and who was boss. He was Paul Luke. Others worked here and moved on to become boat builders in their own yard: John Luke, Jim Jones, Matt Sledge, and others moved on and became successful builders in their own yard, but they passed through here.

In the early days, I was happy to come down to the yard, as it was full of friends and had a lot of energy in the air. There was always a lot going on… Never long after I arrived, either a broom or a shovel was pushed in my direction. I always knew where I wanted to work, the question was, “Where will I fit in?” As I grew a little taller, I could hold the butt end of plank while Earle Dodge sawed the bevels on the bandsaw and Wayne Moore adjusted the tilt on the table. Tince and Leon Tibbitts were the port side plankers (fitters and fasteners). Stanley Mitchell and my brother, John were on the starboard side. Billy Latter was in charge of getting and fitting oak butt blocks on the inside.

Securing enough of the right materials along with supervision for this gang, in addition to getting the next job and finishing this job to a standard was more than a full-time job for Paul.

We built boats for all the major yacht designers at the time: Auge Neilsen, Sparkman and Stephens, John Alden, McCurdy and Rhodes, M. Rosenblatt and Son, and others.

As time and fads moved on, the boats changed and so did the yard. Sails changed and more pressure was put on the hulls, so metal was added to the mix and thus the need for a machine shop. My brother John headed that up along with able help from Skip Rideout, Jim Jones, Steve Alley, and others. Earle Leavitt and even Sean Rowley – yes, THAT Sean Rowley, fabricated aluminum masts and booms. Lin Smith was a constant around the aluminum boats, bending frames and hull plating, making tanks or plumbing. Jack Hartford was in charge of electrical. With aluminum boats, the electrical systems were always a challenge. The hull was never a part of the circuitry, two wire floating and no ground – nice.

I am not a boatbuilder, I am a boatyard worker. This yard does storge and repairs. Keith Royall is chief motivator with very able help from Audley Smith. You can find my son Andrew running the office with wife Nora handling the books and keeping an eye on everything. I am happy to run to Grover’s as frequently as necessary.

Come see us. We have very well equipped, smart, able, and good-looking crew.

Tony’s career has spanned 50 years. Tony grew up on the south shore of Massachusetts and came to Maine in 1999 around the time he married his wife Bet, owner of the current Bet’s Fish Fry. Up until that time he had worked at boatyards in Massachusetts and also in Virginia and Florida. When he moved to Maine he considered himself “retired” from boatbuilding since he thought that he might not be able to break into the business here, but instead found people very welcoming and willing to subcontract his specialized services.

When Tony first came to the Boothbay Region he and Bet bought the JH Welch General Store. He worked there for a year. and also at his sawmill which he still operates. He then got a call from Sample’s Shipyard who needed his services to work on the Roseway, a 137 ft schooner. After a year or so he returned to Samples to work on the Luna which was undergoing a major overall of it’s hull structure. The Luna is the first diesel electric tugboat built and is now in Boston Harbor . More jobs at Sample’s ensued including working on the HMS Bounty while she was here the first time in Boothbay Harbor for repairs. Since then Tony has been on his own doing jobs at Ocean Point Marina and in Key West for the Appledore as well as working with Finn Sprague in Portland on the Harvey Gamage. He has also worked out of Gloucester, MA on the Lynx and schooner Adventure, both of which often visit Boothbay Harbor during Windjammer Days.

Tony’s company, Back Narrows Boatyard, is a wooden boat restoration business. Their current projects include reconditioning the masts on the Harvey Gamage. They are also putting a new cockpit in the Apple Jack. Additionally he has been working on the schooner yacht Savannah for the last two years in his shop. Tony says that he has learned a lot from people in the region and in turn they have learned from him. He would like to thank the Boothbay Region for accepting him when he moved here in 1999. Special thanks go out to Frank Luke, Jimmy Jones, Bradley Simmons and the late Joe Jackamovicz and Mike Main. His plans for the future include eventually turning over the business to two of his employees, but says that he will still be around to keep a watch over all the comings and goings.

Hi, I'm Fred Bowers. I live here in Alna with my lovely wife Mary and assorted pets and livestock. First off, I should explain that I feel somewhat like an imposter when compared to the many professional boat builders in the region. Professional I'm not, (though we often jest about our "Alna Iron Works", AIW, not to be confused with the little outfit in Bath, BIW) but totally amateur, relying a lot on advice from the many "pros" who have coached me through the process. I hope that by writing this, I'm saluting the many fellow backyard boat builders hereabouts.

I've built several small boats over the years, but nothing as massive as my little steel schooner "Sycamore" which was built in my backyard over a period of sixteen years on Sunday afternoons, with Mary's help and forbearance. Just a note to anybody contemplating such a building project: If you merely "want a boat", don't do it! Simply spend the same time saving-up money and buy one. Building a boat is a hobby in itself, requiring a crazy passion, and very satisfying!

I suspect that my love of boats comes from my mother who had a sailboat which our family used on Long Island Sound for a few years when I was very young. Then in1972 my father, my older brother, and I built a 20 foot fiberglass Luger Power Boat Kit in our garage on Long Island, NY. My brother still owns this boat over 50 years later! I really took to sailing as well as power boating. In 1980 I attended a wooden boatbuilding apprenticeship program called the Phoenix Boatshop Cooperative on Cape Cod taught by Loring Wordel. I learned a lot and built a couple of really nice small boats.

My interest in boats moved to design and I attended the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, graduating in 1985. A truly life changing school and a great engineering education. Here’s where things get interesting: In 1985 I purchased a tired old (1898) catboat. Over the next 5 years I completely rebuilt it, from the keel up, and then successfully sailed it over the summer of 1990 from the South Shore of Long Island to Nantucket and back! These days you will still see me sailing this little old boat in Boothbay Harbor, and of course as the oldest boat in the harbor, we usually lead the Antique Boat parade.

The reason I’m appearing in this column in the Register is that in 2000 I purchased David Nutt’s Boatyard on Southport. Renamed Southport Island Marine, we continued building the great Southport 30 lobster boat yacht. Nine were built on my watch. Also, over the 21 years that I owned the yard we introduced our Handy Billy 21/Southport 21 as a new model of our new build offerings. Design work on all of these boats was my responsibility. I was also pleased to help design and build six 30-foot sailboats for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (for whom I’d worked for 8 years). The last Southport 30 that we delivered was an outboard motor powered version, and at that time (2016) we were possibly the first Downeast boatbuilder to actually deliver a lobster boat powered in this way. (Now everyone is doing it!!)

My inclusion in this newspaper series as a boatbuilder is mostly on the strength of my 20+ years owning and operating Southport Island Marine. And while I was hands on in the construction as much as possible, supervision and business management consumed most of my time. I’m also proud of the way we developed our boatbuilding offerings to appeal to the evolving market and to keep up with available technology. We created some beautiful boats that continue to hold their value and beautify harbors throughout New England! I am very proud of all the relationships and friendships I was able to form during this time: Great hard working and talented employees who made our boatbuilding success possible, colleagues in the marine business who were always willing and collaborative, and meeting and befriending many great people as clients!

At this time, I’m retired and out of the boatbuilding game, just taking care of my own boats and running my charter business out of Boothbay Harbor.

I believe it all started when I was about 5 or 6 watching my Dad, Ed Haggett, working wood and I was actually playing in the shavings. The look, sound, smell and feel of the wood all mesmerized me. I thought seeing the things he would was magical and in a short time Dad had supplied me with some basic tools and I loved it! I always loved the boats he built. I knew that magic was about to happen when the shop floor was painted a light gray and the lofting process would start and from these lines a new vessel would evolve, while talked about as a person, she would take shape and be beautiful!

I had the absolute privilege to go to work for the Hodgdons on the motor yacht Yorel. It has been a continual chain of exquisite vessels ever since, Antonisa, Liberty, Sheherazade, Windcrest, Dixie, Rooster, Moonrise and on; each one a challenge and absolute pleasure to be a part of. The talent/skill that came through those doors over the years was absolutely remarkable and the people I was able to learn from and work with is a story in itself. Sonny Hodgdon himself was a gold mine of knowledge as well as Neil Jones and Tim Hodgdon. Tim`s mom Margaret baked for the whole crew-pies, cakes and lemon squares to die for!

I learned the process of building half models from Sonny, the master himself! The first half model I built was in high school and a model of a boat I helped sail. It was an H-28, carved and cast in bronze for the owner. The carving of a half model and then the building of the actual vessel can reveal some interesting aspects of a hull not readily apparent from the plans! I found that boatbuilding was a continual challenge, not a day went by when you didn't learn something. I was always excited to get to work and thoroughly enjoyed every day! I thank my Dad, the Hodgdons and so many more skilled craftsmen for this wonderful experience.

In the future I hope to create more half models and other carvings. I asked Neil Jones a question one day about a complex project I was working on and his answer was right on the mark, he said "The wood will tell you”, and yes it did. Thank you Neil! Some things you never forget!

I think many of us in the boatbuilding community became boatbuilders because of a passion about boats and boatbuilding and through the absorption of bits and pieces of wisdom from a number of mentors. Many of our mentors were willing teachers and others we may have observed from a greater distance, but we were still able to gather tasty tidbits of their knowledge and techniques. And time, it takes time to develop the necessary skills and vision to make a career in the trade.

I spent many hours on the lofting floor at Sonny Hodgdon’s with Sonny teaching me many of the details of lofting. After construction of the small schooner started Sonny would spend time explaining small details to me. It was the same when I worked for Paul Luke. Paul would pull me aside and explain stuff that perhaps I did not need to know for that particular job but that made me better equipped for next. I always kept my eye on Earle Dodge as he was a master and I am sure he knew more than the young workers in the shop all put together. Reg Wilcox was the first mate on my father’s schooner, Blue Dolphin and a lifelong mentor. Reg was a Dutch uncle to me and taught me stuff when I was just a little kid on up until he passed away. He was Bob Bartlett’s nephew and sailed many trips to the arctic on Bartlett’s schooner Effie M Morrissey and a number of trips to Labrador and Greenland on the Blue Dolphin with my father. I owe Reg for so much.

Out on my own I leased space at Boothbay Region Boatyard (now Hodgdon Yacht Services) before developing my own shop on Southport. Although my preference was classic plank on frame wooden boat construction fiberglass, aluminum, and steel were all boatbuilding materials in the mix. The business consisted of routine repair and maintenance hauling in the fall and launching in the spring. We also finished off hulls from other builders on a custom basis for local clients. We did major repairs on a number of boats including a new keel and a multitude of new frames in one of several Concordia yawls entrusted to our care.

My wife, Judy Sandick, a physician, was talking to a patient and in the course of their conversation Judy revealed that I was a boatbuilder. He said ‘I want a boat’. One thing led to another and I designed a 30’ Maine lobster style boat modified from a half model loaned to me by Earle Barlow. That winter we built for him the first of a number of Southport 30’s.

In 2000 I sold the business and Judy and I and our 4 kids did a 6 year circumnavigation. Upon returning to Maine, work on boats beckoned, and I focused exclusively on the region’s beloved 21’ classic sloop, the Boothbay Harbor One Design. I stored many of them, doing repairs and major rebuilds. I built 4 new ones bringing modern construction techniques to the fleet. Many of the One Designs can be seen sailing in the harbor all summer long.

After more than half a century in the trade I am now retired. In my yard is my family’s Boothbay Harbor One Design, Coriolis, hull number 31, built by Sonny Hodgdon in 1962. I have fleeting memories of seeing her under construction at the old Hodgdon Brothers yard in Easy Boothbay. Maybe that is what set me on the path down which I have spent so much of my life.

I was fortunate to spend every summer in Round Pond, ME swimming and boating in the ocean. When I went to the University of Michigan in 1988, I knew I wanted to be an engineer. Math and science piqued my interest and when I learned about their naval architecture/marine engineering program, it felt like a perfect fit. After earning my master’s degree in 1993, I worked for two amazing men, Bruce Blancke and Jack Gilbert. These two men, who owned small engineering firms in NJ and Boston respectively, shaped my future by showing me the importance of building a business through developing relationships and providing top-notch customer service. These skills aren’t always intuitive for engineers, and I appreciate learning these skills from them!

I moved to the Damariscotta area in 2001 with my wife. I began working at BIW as a naval architect/structural engineer. I made many friends while at the yard but missed designing a boat in its entirety, seeing a design from inception to reality and missed working with clients directly. In 2004 I opened Thomas M Farrell Naval Architects, Inc. as a side job. Two years later we had three young children and I finally convinced myself that I was ready to make a go of doing this job full-time. I joined forces with a former colleague, Garrett Norton, and we began Farrell and Norton Naval Architects.

My first job was taking a 100' scallop boat and stretching and widening it to a 165' herring mackerel boat. This project was more complicated than a full design and gave me confidence that I could succeed in the industry. Today most of my projects are work boats and I spend a fair amount of time traveling on the east coast and in the gulf. Some of my current projects include a 65’ oyster boat for the Delaware Bay, an 88’ triple screw towboat that will be used on the Mississippi River and a 79’ scalloper that will fish out of New Bedford.

I have worked on many wooden sailing vessels, and one of the most significant projects I collaborated on was right here in Boothbay Harbor. Recently I helped with the restoration of the Ernestina Morrissey at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard. I was lucky to work with David Short, shipwright, on the project from start to finish. David’s craftsmanship and the way he approached the project was astounding. It was like going back in time to watch the boat go together.

Old, wooden boats are challenging projects. I was tasked with the engineering to make a wooden fishing schooner from 1894 pass current regulations. There were so many hurdles along the way but in the end, it was so rewarding to see the vessel in the water.

I love my job; each day presents new challenges. Throughout the years there has been high demand for work in the naval architecture industry. As I look to the future, I am interested to see new and different options for cleaner fuels. I am excited because one of my daughters is finishing up her mechanical engineering degree. She is starting to become more involved with my business and it is fun to share my knowledge and experience with her. Hopefully she wants to continue the business I have built!

I never really had an interest in boat building in my younger years, but growing up on Long Island, NY I was always interested in boating and fishing. When I was a kid I loved working with my hands. Building model boats, planes and cars. When I was about 15 years old I sent away for a shaped foam surfboard blank which I finished with polyester resin and fiberglass boat cloth so I guess that was my first boat building experience.

In 2005 I was unemployed and saw an employment ad for help at Southport Island Marine which I applied for. I had little experience, but was hired right way. I’ve now been building boats, parts, and doing repairs for 20 years and I’ve enjoyed those years. Doug Goldhirsch, who hired me and owned Southport Island Marine taught me more than anyone about boatbuilding and repairs. He also gave me chances to learn new products, like Awlgrip spray painting, varnish, gelcoat applications and much more. Frank Chandler, my supervisor at North End Composites and part of the Sabre and Back Cove Yachts family, was another individual who taught me a great deal about building fiberglass parts. He taught me a great amount about fiberglass hand layup and fiberglass infusion techniques, and mold making. Too many people have taught me valuable information for me to list here.

At this time I’m not involved with any projects, but some of the projects I’ve worked on are: The Southport 30, a fiberglass Handy Billy 21, the Southport 21, the Southport 13, Hurricane Island 30 and molds and parts for Sabre 48 and 66. Out of all the projects I’ve worked on the Hurricane Island 30 for the Outward Bound organization stands out as my favorite. We worked closely with the designer and employees from design to completion. The boat was an open sailing boat, and I believe we made 5 of them. It was a beautiful boat and fun to build. The last boat project was with Samoset Boat Works, building a Mussel Ridge 42. I was working with Matt Sledge and his crew on the tuna fishing boat. I regret that I had to leave Matt due to an allergic reaction to epoxy. I wanted to be a part of building the boat to completion, and I look forward to seeing it completed. I still have a lot to learn about boat building with new products and procedures, but I’m learning all the time. Right now I’m semi retired and hoping to get back working on boats.

In the summer of 2007, I found myself adrift—at 20 years old, my drive to become a teacher had faded, and prospects within the field of history seemed sparse. An internship brought me to the Mystic Seaport Museum where I was introduced to the maritime industry. Walking the museum’s campus one night, I found myself taken aback by the impressive silhouette of the full-rigged ship Joseph Conrad against the overcast sky. The experience was very powerful, and after completing my history degree, I returned to work in the museum’s interpretation department.

By 2011, I had established myself working in the historic Charles Mallory Sail Loft, repairing sails for the ships and boats in the museum’s collection. It became clear that the Seaport had a need for a sailmaker and I was sent to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to learn the trade from Dan Moreland, captain of Picton Castle. It was an intensive course that covered the fundamentals of sailmaking and sail repair while also emphasizing the importance of attention to detail and efficiency.

Those lessons became even more important when I moved to Boothbay Harbor in 2013 to work at Nat Wilson’s sail loft. Nat had just been contracted by Mystic Seaport to build a full suit of sails for the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan and had an opening on staff for me. A true master of the craft, it is impossible to overstate the caliber of work coming out of the Wilson loft. For the next six years, I would come to master the trade of sailmaking, making sails for many of the same historic vessels that I had met in Mystic along with restoration-quality projects for the many classic yachts that cruise and race along the coast of Maine. The attention to detail required to produce authentic and efficient sails for the classics remains a specialty of mine today.

Having the opportunity to work with so many leaders in the industry instilled a deep appreciation for the sense of community that permeates the sailing world. Over the past decade, my contemporaries at Mystic Seaport have stepped up to lead the next generation of maritime professionals--captaining ships, opening boatyards, publishing magazines, and curating museum collections, to name a few, and it is an honor to be in the same class. I am also proud to be a part of the maritime legacy here in Maine.

Sailors from all over the world come to Maine to have their boats built and maintained, and the responsibility to live up to this reputation is not lost on me. Seeing the craftsmanship of my colleagues here in Boothbay and elsewhere inspires me to make sails to the highest degree without compromise.

Work within this community has proved to be among the most satisfying. Just last week, I finished a sail for a friend who has taken over stewardship of the fleet of boats from Chewonki. Several years ago I had the opportunity to redesign the sail plan for the 74-foot cutter Frances, enhancing her upwind sailing abilities. I am also proud of the work I have done within the classic yacht racing circuit; this past summer two of my clients won their divisions at the Camden Classics Cup and the Opera House Cup.

In the meantime, I find myself at a curious intersection—sailing is inherently old-fashioned, yet it is constantly inundated with the latest developments in building materials in search of speed under sail. While so many others attempt to make their mark on the industry, my history background serves me well. Through time-honored technique, with contributions from modern materials, I can be sure that the sails passing through my loft will stand the test of time.

David originally got hooked on sailing in 1959 at age five, cruising in the Herreshoff S boat Widgeon with his family. Then when he was about 10 years old he started collecting old wooden boats to fix up, but they never got fixed up until he had learned something about woodworking in 8th grade shop class. In his 10th grade shop class David designed and built his first boat. His teacher said that the boat looked like the “box that it came in”, but it didn’t leak during sea trials. Better looking boats were yet to come.

In his late teens and early twenties David apprenticed with catboat builder Merton Long, his neighbor in Bourne, MA. Mert was born on Roque Island, ME in 1885 and worked in Maine shipyards planking 4-masted schooners until moving to Cape Cod in 1907. He was without a doubt the biggest influence in David’s boatbuilding career, teaching him the finer points of catboat design and many valuable tricks of the trade. Other major influences have been: his father, Paul Stimson (now 96 years old) who taught him the basics of sailing and seamanship and much of the engineering knowledge required to design and build boats; the late John Gardner, small craft curator at Mystic Seaport; the late Pete Culler, a traditional boat designer/builder of Hyannis, MA; Nat Wilson, sailmaker in East Boothbay, who has given much valuable advice for sail and rigging plans for his designs, as well as making sails and rigging for most of their boats; Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon of Gannon & Benjamin of Vineyard Haven who were both extraordinary shipwrights.

In 1973 David became lead carpenter at Kingman Marine in Cataumet, MA, repairing traditional wooden boats. Then in 1974 he bought a large building in Lubec with the idea of starting a boat shop. There was no market for wooden boat work there, and he had the only sailboat within 50 miles, so he moved back to the Cape to work on boats there. David established Stimson Brothers Boatworks in 1976 in North Falmouth, MA with his brother Mark, focusing on building and restoring wooden boats. His first big job was the first phase of a major restoration on the 1918 McManus schooner Surprise, which now sails out of Camden.

Later David moved to Boothbay in 1981 and established Stimson Marine in his parent’s barn on River Road. There he built and restored many wooden boats, including boats for the Kevin Costner movies Bodyguard and Waterworld. He traveled back to Massachusetts in 1997 going to Martha's Vineyard to work with Gannon and Benjamin and building the 60' schooner Rebecca. By 1999 David had obtained his USCG 100-ton masters license with sail endorsement.

Moving back to Maine, he became general manager of the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard from 2004 to 2010. There he worked on larger vessels including Gazella of Philadelphia, Bounty, Jamestown Replica Discovery, Shenandoah and Belaventure, and also designed and built the original schooner Valora. After that he left the Shipyard to build a new boat shop on the River Road. With the help from sons Abraham and Nathaniel and other local shipwrights, he rebuilt the 56' Alden Schooner Bagheera, designed and built the 50' steel schooner Naviamo, which was later finished off by the owner, designed and built a second 43’ schooner Valora, as the first was wrecked in a northeast storm in 2010. Both sons are excellent boatbuilders, and Nathaniel also is a fine draftsman and designer, working as co-designer on many projects

Since 2022 David has been working at his new shop in Warren. He is currently restoring a 27' catboat, built by George Shiverick of Kingston, MA in 1933, for a non-profit preservation organization at Lewis Bay, MA (see lbay.org). He is also presently working with Sailing Ships Maine, a non profit youth sail training organization based in Portland, refurbishing a 42' Murray Peterson schooner with help from many volunteers. At the same time, he is designing a 16' rowing skiff for youth boatbuilding/rowing programs to be offered soon by the organization. The future holds an exciting prospect of a collaboration as in-house designers with Clark & Eisele Traditional Boatbuilding, one of Maine's premier traditional boatbuilding and repair companies, based in Midcoast Maine. Besides boat design and building, Stimson Marine has become infamous for selling plans for a bow-roof shed, used for storing boats and also for greenhouses. In the past 32 years, we have mailed thousands of these plans to almost every country in the world.

Of his many wonderful customers, two stand out: Karl Frey, who has ordered five small craft and two schooners and become a close friend in the process, and Ben Swan, past director of Pine Island Camp in Belgrade Lakes, for whom his company built 19 wooden boats over the years and who is also a good friend.

When David is not building boats, he makes and repairs violins and plays traditional Irish and old time fiddle music with wife Tamora Goltz, both sons, and other local musicians in the bands Curlew and Steampacket.

Katie grew up on the water and has always had a passion for the ocean and outdoor activities. Whether she was sailing the coast of Maine during summers or spending her days at the shipyard. She’s worked on schooners out of Camden, held a position at Outward Bound, and served as a trip leader at Chewonki. It's no surprise that Maddox eventually followed in her father's footsteps. "Talking tugs and building boats was always part of the dinner conversation growing up," she shared.

This upbringing naturally led her to a career in building some of the finest commercial vessels in the world, all from her hometown of East Boothbay. However, she doesn't do this alone. As the President of Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc., she oversees a highly skilled crew of approximately 90 shipfitters, engineers, pipefitters, welders, electricians, designers, mechanics, carpenters, and painters. Katie takes immense pride in Washburn & Doughty's work and its representation of Maine's shipbuilding legacy.

Founded in 1977 by two friends, Bruce Doughty and Bruce Washburn, Washburn & Doughty started as a side business. Katie Doughty Maddox, daughter of co-founder Bruce Doughty, assumed the role of president in May 2019. Today, the family business thrives with Katie's husband serving as CFO and her sister Kristen, an attorney, assisting with the legal aspects.

The yard primarily constructs steel boats, including tugs and ferries like the Paul T. Moran, an 86’ x 36’, 5100 HP, Z-Drive Tug, launched in March for the Moran Towing Corporation. Both the Paul T. Moran and the Grace McAllister, a 93’ x 38’, 6770 HP, Z-Drive Tug, were named among the "Top Tugs of 2024" by Professional Mariner’s American Tugboat Review.

Maddox's passion lies in her company's products. She would rather discuss the specifications of the tugs in production than talk about herself. She greatly admires her team, acknowledging the countless hours they put into designing and building each vessel. "We are very proud of the craftsmanship. We work hard to uphold our reputation for building quality boats," she remarked.

If you want to see Katie truly light up, ask her about a launch. "A launch is a very special event. Everything you see, from the paint to the bridge, from the engine room to the hydraulics, someone here worked on that. Our team brings it all together. It takes a lot of hours, a lot of dedication to build each vessel. A launch brings a great sense of fulfillment to all of us here."

With such dedication, it's no wonder that Katie Doughty Maddox and her team of craftsmen continue to uphold their world-class reputation for excellence in building steel vessels right here in East Boothbay, Maine.

Ross’s interest in boats began as a youth while working summers at a sailing camp. His duties included some light cabin maintenance and getting the fleet of Rhodes 19s ready for the upcoming season. He was always on the water in the summer and had small boats of his own. He began to cultivate a desire to learn boatbuilding and in 1999 was referred to David Nutt by Tony Finochiarro for more experience at his Southport shop. At the time, David Nutt was getting his boat Danza ready for an upcoming voyage where he and his family that would circumnavigate the globe. Ross was tasked with grinding off years worth of buildup on the aluminum hull. It took many long hours to remove the residue in one inch strips with a diamond grinder. David became an important early mentor for Ross and showed a great interest in Ross’s growth by setting up a training program to learn things like caulking and other basic techniques. Ross worked with David for a year and even accompanied David and his family on the early legs of the trans world expedition. After that he worked for a year with Doug Goldhirsch who had purchased David Nutt’s boatyard. Then desiring more formal training, attended the Apprenticeshop in Rockland, ME for two years and graduated in 2002.

Over the 25 years that Ross has been in the boat building arena he has learned from many influential masters and colleagues. He worked with Jim Jones on the Bounty at Bristol Marine and on the Comanche at Hodgdon Yachts and was impressed with his methodical and deliberate approach to projects. While working at Hodgdon Yachts he learned a lot from his direct supervisor Skip Orne as well. He credits the late David Short, a master shipwright, with whom he worked while restoring the Ernestina Morrissey as having a vast knowledge and experience level of decades. Also mentioned as a significant influence was the late Cecil Pierce from Southport who was the builder of a lobster boat that Ross previously owned.

Ross now works at Bristol Marine where his projects have included restoring the Ernestina Morrissey over a period of seven years. That project was challenging due to the difficulty of cutting live oak for the frame pieces called futtocks. Ross developed a system with a jig on a chainsaw which cut the work of four men to just one, saving time and labor. The process was documented in an article in Wooden Boat. His most important personal project was on the arctic explorer Bowdoin. He and Eric Graves brought in and managed the job which included replacement of 70 bottom planks and 45 futtocks, as well as keel boat and ballast work which took roughly seven months. New projects include a contract with the Boston Tea Party Museum to restore Eleanor, a replica of one of the original Boston Tea Party ships, which will come in the fall and leave next spring. Ross is proud to work at Bristol Marine due to the high level of professionalism and belief in the preservation of the crafts that were originally used to build these ships. They strive to be the hub of tradition as well as modern craftsmanship in the Boothbay Harbor area.

These days Ross owns larger boats than in his youth. After always being interested in Friendship Sloops and Lobster boats, he has owned both. He recently sold his Friendship Sloop, but currently still owns a 38’ lobster boat.