Building a CHEROKEE at the Museum of Yachting in Newport

David Stimson, yacht designer and general manager from BBHS, has been in Newport now for about a month. Check the CHEROKEE blog for a detailed update on the progress of the CHEROKEE.
From the design of a 6-meter racing yacht that was published in the January 1928 Yachting magazine, Olin Stephen's esteemed career as a great yacht designer was launched. Olin apprenticed under Philip Rhodes and Rod, his brother worked at Nevins Yard in City Island, New York. At the age of 21, Olin entered into a partnership with the successful Yacht broker Drake Sparkman and together they launched Sparkman & Stephens, Inc.

On Long Island Sound, in the 1930's, one very popular yacht was the 6-meter racing yacht. Sparkman and Stephens, Inc (S&S) designed 39 of these yachts. Two of these 39 stood out as exemplary: CHEROKEE and JILL.

The Museum of Yachting is pleased to announce the building of a new CHEROKEE. which is part of an exhibit on the history of S&S. The yacht is being built from plans provided by S&S and will be launched in time to compete in the 6-meter World Cup—also being held in Newport.

Construction management is being lead by Maine's David Stimson, a yacht designer and general manager of the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard in Maine. For over thirty-five years David has designed, built and restored wooden boats ranging from catboats to larger-scaled passenger vessels.

According to the International Yacht Restoration School, (IYRS) this new build will rigorously conform to historic design and construction standards necessary to compete in the 2009 Worlds. This design is sanctioned by the 6-meter Association of North America as a replica. Only one copy of any given design is allowed to be built. This copy can be built only after it can be prove that the original yacht is no longer in existence.

Glenn-Geary - A Maine Classic Joins the Shipyard

Historically, sardine fishing played an important role in Maine maritime history. The shipyard recently acquired a piece of that legacy through the purchase of Glenn-Geary.
The Glenn-Geary towed J & E Riggin back to Rockland after its four month bow replacement.

Click here for a video on the Glenn-Geary and Captain Dave.

J & E Riggin - A National Historic Landmark is Repaired

In December of 2007, J.&E. Riggin was vandalized at her berth when severed lines caused her to be carried into harms way. Considerable damage was caused to her entire bow section. We took her under tow from Rockland to Boothbay Harbor and commenced work to repair the damage. Using our recently renovated 75 ton marine railway, customized blocking was placed under her hull by the shipyard’s dive team. Shore-based repair crews worked steadily to ensure that she was completed in time for the charter season of 2008.

J. & E. Riggin was built on the Maurice River in Dorchester, New Jersey in 1927. Charles Riggin
had her built for his oyster dredging fleet and named her after his sons, Jacob and Edward. Shewas always known as a quick, light air vessel and her speed was proven in 1929 when she handily won the only official Oyster Dredging Race in the Delaware Bay. She was used for oyster dredging until the 1940's, when the fishing regulations changed.

“I can finally report that our lady looks REALLY good. Thank you so much Boothbay Harbor Shipyard for your crew and your love of these beautiful boats.” Captain Anne Mahle (co-owner)

The Riggin's sparred length is120 feet, 89 feet on deck, 23 feet at the beam and draws 7 feet with the centerboard up. She is a bald-headed schooner with low sides and an elegant
spoon bow, uses a yawl boat for auxiliary power. She can carry 24 passengers on 3, 4, and 6 day sailing trips.

Belle Aventure Spends a Winter with Us in Boothbay Harbor

There are 100 Fifes still in existence and only about fifty are still sailing. At the end of last year, Belle Aventure became the first Fife to grace our completely redesigned and environmentally
controlled large yacht facility. Designed and built by William Fife and Sons in Scotland, this classic spent a Maine winter having her hull and support systems reviewed and upgraded.
The next phase of this project will include the complete refastening of her hull planking. Her actual fastenings are not screws but rivets which measure 7/16ths by 7" and the heads are
peened over on the inside of the vessel.

Our crews will exercise great care when removing the furniture and fixtures required to get to each of these 5,000 1929 naval brass rivets.
Details both great and small will allow this pedigree yacht to return to yet another series of global sea adventures.

Watch the VIDEO on the upgrade of
Belle Aventure at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard.

Kittywake II

As spring fast approaches, Kittywake II (a 44’ Bunker & Ellis), nears completion of her annual maintenance.

In addition to new paint and varnish, her bottom has been completely refastened.

With minor systems work she’ll be beautiful and ready to go!

Craft of the Shipwright

Boothbay Harbor Shipyard gladly said, “Yes!” when the Washington County Community College of Maine and the Mid Coast Community College of Auburn came to us with a curriculum in exchange for our sheltering and teaching an introductory course in boatbuilding. The opportunity dovetailed nicely into the state of Maine apprentice program that we have been running since our reincorporation. The course teaches lofting, shop and tool safety and jig building. The last semester completes the building of a Swampscott dory. Three classes have already enjoyed learning these skills.

Boothbay Harbor is a community with a maritime heritage and the shipyard is committed to ensuring wooden boatbuilding into the future with the on-going renovation of a building on a beautiful parcel of land on Linekin Bay. The goal is to move the school into this new facility. The local community has funded the expenses required and efforts are continuing to bring this wooden boatbuilding training facility to completion.

This fall we commenced our fourth semester and with any luck, they will have to be moved into this new building before the end of their time in class.

Ocean Classroom Schooners

The Ocean Classroom Foundation moved to their new home port in Boothbay Harbor. Our shipyard hosted the official welcome on October 1, 2007. With the move came the three schooners, The Spirit of Massachusetts, the Harvey Gamage and Westward.
Ocean Classroom Foundation moved because Boothbay Harbor is home to one of the finest plank-on-frame shipyards on the East Coast. These ships will travel with upwards of 24 youngsters on board during a school semester and they will range more than 4,000 miles away from their new home.
Students are taught ocean sciences, history (local, American and development of sea craft), literature, (poems by important authors of the sea; such as Conrad, London, Melville, Dana, etc.), manual skills such as rope work, rigging, sailing, celestial navigation.