Youth Sailing

Wonderful news from Boothbay Harbor!  The Shipyard Community Sailing and Science Center (SCSSC) had its first community meeting to begin plans for the 2013 year.

This new organization is a non-profit organization whose mission is the advancement of sailing, boating and education in marine sciences and mathematics by minimizing economic and physical obstacles.  It will further develop independence, self-confidence, teamwork and volunteerism in the
participants. Shipyard Community Sailing and Science Center ( SCSSC ) is a community service organization that will promote, teach and facilitate the enjoyment of sailing and boating in the Mid-Coast Maine Region.

Specific programs will incorporate the marine sciences in educating participants in seamanship,
boat handling, aquatic sports and providing competitive and recreational sailing opportunities.

The ownership of Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, is hosting and supporting this project.  It is dedicated to helping Boothbay Harbor be one of the premier boating harbors and destinations in Maine. It is expected that their commitment to providing a community sailing center will have a positive economic impact on Mid-Coast Maine.

Two fun and eventful fundraisers were held this summer to raise funds for the SCSSC.  The Boothbay Harbor Rendezvous was held on August 10th to support the SCSSC.  Sailors in classic wooden yachts, and cruising, racing boats raced, feasted and celebrated with us at this exciting event, while participating in this fundraiser. The other fundraiser was the Nautical Auction.  A huge assortment of historical nautical items were auctioned off, along with a silent auction of smaller nautical items.

Please join us in this endeavor.
Contact Information:
Pauline Dion
pacojoes2@aol.com
207.633.2012 or 207.751.2999
120 Commercial Street
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

Bounty is Back

We were excited to have Bounty back at the shipyard this September and October.  She has been here for about four weeks getting minor repairs.  BBHS built a new bottom on the boat around 8-10 years ago, which was a major refit.  Five years ago, another major refit replaced all the topsides, from the waterline-up.

This visit Bounty had some bottom work and caulking to do, topside planking and new spars to build.  Refitting new fuel tanks, water tanks and some minor systems work, also needed to be done.

The  original HMS Bounty, which in April, 1789, dealt with a mutiny, which ultimately led to the ship’s sinking near the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific. This replica of the HMS Bounty was built in the early 1960s in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and has had a 50-year movie career.  In addition to “Mutiny on the Bounty,” it has also been featured in 1989’s “Treasure Island,” 2006’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and 2007’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.

More pics can be seen on the HMS Bounty facebook page.

Harbor Fest Activities at the Shipyard

Boothbay Harbor Shipyard has stepped up above and beyond this summer to host community activities.  First this summer was the Nautical Auction (supporting youth sailing),  Boothbay Harbor Rendezvous (supporting youth sailing), the Jazz concert (supporting the Land Trust) and now the Boothbay Harbor Harbor Fest.  The Harbor Fest will be supporting Rebuilding Together.  Each year Rebuilding Together-Lincoln County participates along with the other affiliates across the nation in a National Rebuilding Together Day, which for our affiliate occurs on a Saturday in May each year. This is the day that volunteers—skilled, semi-skilled, and those with no specific skills—come together that morning to receive assignments to work on a designated home which has been selected to receive RT services.
RT-LC also performs urgent repairs needed to keep our qualified neighbors warm during the cold winter months with repairs and updates such as adding insulation, replacing storm doors, caulking windows, wrapping pipes and other tasks to keep out the cold air.

Come to the shipyard on Saturday, September 29th to enjoy some exceptional chowder and chili.  You will be able to help choose the best of the best.  Beer and wine experts from Boothbay Craft Brewery and Pine State Trading will pair complimentary flavors to add to the tasting delight.

Beer & Wine Experts from Boothbay Craft Brewery 

and Pine State Trading will pair complimentary flavors 

Jazzing Up the Shipyard

The Boothbay Harbor Land Trust Concert Committee invites you to its only major 2012 fundraising event to be held at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard on Thursday, August 16, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

Jazzing Up the Shipyard will be a very special night of unique jazz music featuring one of New York’s best jazz trumpeters, Marcus Printup of Jazz at Lincoln Center along with his wife Riza (Hequibal) Printup on the harp, Corcoran Holt on bass and Obed Calvaire on drums.

As part of the evening’s festivities, there will be a “not so silent” Silent Auction beginning at 5:00 PM and ending at 6:30 PM. The Auction will be limited to a maximum of 35 “priceless” items including lunch and a private walking tour of Portland for two with Historian Mr. John (Jack) B. Bauman (Author of Gateway to Vacationland: The Making of Portland, Maine) and a two-hour evening cocktail cruise for twelve aboard Mr. Paul Coulombe’s 112’ Westport Yacht Feelin Free.  A complete Silent Auction preview list will be available prior to the concert.  

For your pleasure, Boothbay Region Chefs will provide mouth watering “not to be missed” heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar serving some of the finest champagne, wines and liquors, which will be available throughout the event.

A limited number of tickets are now on sale.  Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased by calling the Land Trust at 207.633.4818 or by email at brlt@bbrlt.org.   In keeping with the tradition of BRLT special events, this concert will sell out! All net proceeds from the concert will go to benefit the Boothbay Region Land Trust.

The BRLT Concert Committee - Pauline Dion (Chair), Ham Meserve, Helen Meserve, Deezie Flower, Ingrid Roveillo, Margaret Canepa, Danniel Betts, Jean Webster, Marie Lloyd, Kaki Smith. Nick Ullo (BRLT Executive Director), Julie Lamy (BRLT Development & Outreach Director) and Violet “Skye” Wood (BRLT Office Manager) - are working very hard to make this a most unforgettable evening.  They look forward to welcoming you to this summer concert as we come together to “jazz up the shipyard”!  

For tickets, please call 207.633.4818 or email brlt@brlt.org.

WoodenBoat Show

The 21st Annual WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport will be June 29-July 1, 2012.  

See more than 100 traditional classics and contemporary wooden boats of every type at the 21st-annual WoodenBoat Show — a festival celebrating the design and craftsmanship of wooden craft.

Described by Yankee Magazine's Travel Guide as "one of Connecticut's Top 20 Events for the Summer," the three-day WoodenBoat Show offers something for all wooden boat enthusiasts and marine history buffs. Wooden boats of every type — large and small, old and new, power, sail, oar and paddle — will be on display including cruising yachts, launches, runabouts, fishing boats, performance powerboats, daysailers, dinghies, rowboats, canoes, performance shells, multi-hulls and racing boats.

In addition to beautiful boats in the water, visitors can enjoy browsing through tents and extensive land exhibits which include boat builders, sail makers, marine adhesive and coatings companies, boat schools and associations, maritime art and antiques, tools, wooden boat hardware, nautical gear, books and innovative items.

On Saturday evening Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway will be honored at a Tribute Dinner in the Boat Shed.

Nautical Auction

Boothbay Harbor Shipyard joins with Boothbay Harbor SCSC (Shipyard Community Sailing Center) to hold the  4th Annual Nautical Auction.  All proceeds from the Auction will go to benefit Boothbay Region youth sailing opportunities.
The SCSC is an educational 501c3 charitable organization whose mission is to promote community sailing in the Boothbay Region.  This annual summer event will be in the Yard’s signature “yellow” shed.  The auction, to be held on Friday July 20th beginning at 5:00 PM, consists of a cash and carry table, a Silent Auction and a Live Auction beginning at 6 PM. There promises to be something for everyone!
The Nautical Auction Committee is seeking donations that should be in good condition and, however remote, be related to nautical categories including marine art and decorative items. To date, featured items include: ten 19th century framed nautical charts of mid-coast Maine, the eastern seaboard, South America and the Pacific; framed signed, remarked schooner prints by Earle Barlow; and 19th century ship building tools.
If you are interested in helping the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard and SCSC promote and support more sailing and boating opportunities for local youth, your marine related item(s) can be dropped off at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday - Friday.  Please call the Shipyard at 633-3171  before dropping off your item(s) Early donations are desired so they can be catalogued and publicized.  The Committee request that all donations  be brought to the Shipyard on or before Monday July 16th.  Any questions about suitability of donations or for pick- up of items, please call the Nautical Auction organizers: Pauline Dion at 633-2012 or Chuck Koch at 633-4776.

America's Cup back on the East Coast

For the first time, from June 28-July 1, America's Cup racing will be held inside Narragansett Bay, in Newport RI, with excellent spectator views of the race course from the AC Village at Fort Adams. The regatta will give the  public an opportunity to watch the world's top sailors compete in the state-of-the-art AC45 wing-sailed catamarans, which will be the first time the high-tech boats will be raced on the east coast of the U.S.  In addition to being the first American host of the high-tech AC45 wing-sailed catamarans in 2012,

Newport also has the honor of seeing the first AC World Series circuit champion crowned. The highlight of each AC World Series stop is the spectacular, winner-takes-all, fleet race on final Sunday, where teams put points on the board to take the overall title, so the final race on Sunday, July 1 in Newport could be the ultimate decision maker for the AC World Series champion.

50th Annual Windjammer Days 2012

At this year's Windjammer Days Festival, June 24-27, you will find something for everyone and most of the events are FREE to the public! Enjoy the beauty of fully rigged windjammers sailing into Boothbay Harbor. Four days of family fun, sailboat race, golf tournament, pancake breakfasts, waterfront concerts, art,  craft fair, hometown street parade, antique boat parade and fireworks over the harbor! 


You will see twelve beautiful windjammers sail into Boothbay Harbor, including a motley gang of pirates that will invade Boothbay Harbor striking not terror but delight in the hearts of all those they encounter.

The new "Jammers and Joggers" race, sponsored by 94.9 WHOM will kick off the Festival at 7:30 am.  Come cheer on Dr. Alamo, a popular Boothbay Harbor physician and veteran marathoner, and his family and the Schooner Timberwind with Captains Bob and Joe Tass, as they race down the coast of Maine by land and sea for nearly 50 miles.

Sherman Zwicker will be on our railway or dock during the festivities.

Enjoy some amazing photos taken by Kevin Morris last year on Windjammer Days.

The Maine Quarter

When summer arrives and one thinks of Maine, sailing ships and lighthouses are two of the first images that come to mind.  In 2001, when a Rockland family began a design for the Maine quarter, they also had in mind these images.

The US Mint began its state quarter program in 1999 with plans to mint a representative quarter for each state in the sequence they became part of the union. In May, 2001, the Maine Arts Commission began the process to decide what image would represent Maine on the Maine State Quarter to be minted in May, 2003.  A Rockland family presented a design concept that included the Victory Chimes sailing by the Pemaquid Lighthouse. The commission chose it as one of four finalists in the design competition. Governor Angus King asked the citizens of Maine to choose the design that would grace their state quarter. In August, 2002 the people of Maine voted and made their choice. They chose the Victory Chimes, which recently left our railway, as one of the enduring images along with the Pemaquid Lighthouse and the White Pine that will forever represent Maine on the quarter. 

The Pemiquid lighthouse is one of 60 lighthouses that dot the Maine coast.  It receives more than 100,000 visitors each year.  The name “Pemaquid” is said to have had its origins in an Abenaki Indian word for “situated far out.”  In May 1826, as maritime trade, fishing, and the shipping of lumber were increasing in midcoast Maine, Congress appropriated $4,000 for the building of a lighthouse at Pemaquid Point.

The land was purchased from Samuel and Sarah Martin— descendants of survivors of the Angel Gabriel—for $90.  The Angel Gabriel was a 240 ton English passenger galleon, which was commissioned for Sir Walter Raleigh’s last expedition to America in 1617. She sank in a storm off Pemiquid Point, near the newly established town of Bristol, Maine on August 15, 1635.  Since then, the lighthouse has seen many lighthouse keepers and their families and saved many ships from shipwrecks on the rocky Maine coast.

VICTORY CHIMES

Victory Chimes returned to the large railway at BBH Shipyard for seasonal maintenance. 

Victory Chimes, built in 1900, as Edwin and Maud, which was named for the two children of her first Captain, Robert E. Riggen, is the only surviving example of the Chesapeake Ram type schooner in existence today. She was built for the mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes where it was necessary for a schooner to fit through shallow navigational canals. Her original cargo consisted of lumber, grain, soft coal and fertilizer, which she carried in and out of Chesapeake Bay until 1945 when she was converted to carrying passengers. 

In 1954, she was purchased by a syndicate, brought to Maine and re-named Victory Chimes.  Victory Chimes operated as a successful charter business on the coast of Maine until 1984 when she was sold to a Minnesota banker who brought her to the Great Lakes. Shortly after, 
she was purchased by the owner of Domino’s Pizza, Mr. Thomas Monaghan, and re-named
Domino Effect and used by the company for employee incentive cruises.  In 1988, Mr. Monaghan had the schooner restored by Samples (now Boothbay Harbor Shipyard) and can arguably be credited for saving her life. 

In 1989 she returned to the coast of Maine and subsequently in 1990, was purchased by her
current owners, Capt. Kip Files and Capt. Paul DeGaeta who named her Victory Chimes once again and returned her to the passenger trade carrying up to 50 passengers. Honored by the State of Maine as “The premier schooner of the Maine sailing fleet” in 1991, by the United States National Parks Service as a “National Historic Landmark” in 1997.  She remains a successful and well kept “working” vessel steeped with important U.S. maritime history.

Sail Racing at Boothbay Harbor

We know your summers are going to be packed with amazing events so we would to update you with some great events planned for here in Boothbay Harbor. We would love to have you join us the week of August 5-12, which will be packed with sailing of all levels. 

Friday, August 10, 2012 marks the inaugural edition of the Boothbay Harbor Rendezvous (BBHR) hosted by the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard located in the heart of breathtakingly beautiful downtown Boothbay Harbor. This all inclusive sailing event for sailboats 20’ and over,  promises to be one of Maine’s mid-coast region’s premier events of summer 2012. Held on the Friday before the Shipyard Cup, the Boothbay Harbor Rendezvous, will begin with a “flyover” featuring vintage WW II aircraft. To follow is a guaranteed fun race for all levels and classes of sailors and a post-race gathering that is so very typical of good Maine style and hospitality. The net proceeds from this premier sailing event will go to benefit youth sailing in the Boothbay Region.

Earlier in the week will be two days of Optimist (Opti) racing for Junior racers on Wednesday and Thursday, August 8-9th. The Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club will host the 2012 Maine State Optimist Championship. This is a National Sailing Association (NSA) Junior Sailing event.  They expect between 50 and 75 Opti sailors to participate in this exciting two-day event.  Optis are small, single handed sailing dinghies limited by the Optimist Association Class rules to junior sailors 15 years or younger.  The Optimist is recognized as an International Class by the International Sailing Federation.  It is one of the most popular sailing dinghies in the world with over 150,000 boats officially registered within the class.  

The last event of the week will be the 10th Annual Shipyard Cup on August 11 &12. Serving yacht owners with sailboats averaging 100’, this is a spectacle of modern and classic yachting not to be missed by any boating enthusiast.

SHERMAN ZWICKER

The sailing and boating communities are making last minute preparation for the summer season in Maine.  The SHERMAN ZWICKER has been in BBH Shipyard for extensive deck repair and now is getting her last minute summer overhaul to prepare for a busy summer. 

The SHERMAN ZWICKER, is a 142’ Grand Banks wooden, auxiliary fishing schooner.  Built in 1948 at the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, she was the largest Grand Banks schooner ever built.. The slightly modified traditional Banks schooner was among the last of her type to be built and may be the only one left floating and functional.  She is fitted with a large marine diesel engine as a prime mover.

Vessels of her type were used in the Grand Banks dory fisheries out of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and other ports until the mid-sixties.  She could carry 200 tons of fish and was referred to as a 12-dory, which had 24 active fishermen with an overall crew of about 28 men.The SHERMAN ZWICKER made her last trip to the Banks in the early sixties.

In the summer, SHERMAN ZWICKER spends much of her time at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine.  As a museum, the schooner represents about 1000 of sister vessels which sailed to the Banks in the salt fish trade. You can see the "ZWICKER" in Boothbay on the BBH Shipyard dock during Windjammer Days, June 24-27.

Walk through SHERMAN ZWICKER here.