Maine Built Boats members are featured here on video interviews filmed by Gary Jobson, an America's Cup winner and ESPN's Sailing Analyst and Editor-at-Large for Cruising World and Sailing World.
Check back often for new video interviews and keep in touch with the MBB newsletter for news on the Maine Built Boats Full Length Documentary Film.
The Maine Built Boats Report
Join Maine Built Boats as we talk with boatbuilders, boat owners, and members of our industry to learn what makes boatbuilding in Maine so unique. The art of boatbuilding in Maine today, which uses cutting edge technology, reflects over 400 years of boatbuilding history. Our builders' capabilities run the gamut from state of the art composite construction to traditional plank-on-frame, and everything in between. Maine Built Boats, big or small, power, paddle or sail, are built with superior craftsmanship, durability, materials and engineering. These builders would never allow anything less.
Join Maine Built Boats as we talk with boatbuilders, boat owners, and members of our industry to learn what makes boatbuilding in Maine so unique. The art of boatbuilding in Maine today, which uses cutting edge technology, reflects over 400 years of boatbuilding history. Our builders' capabilities run the gamut from state of the art composite construction to traditional plank-on-frame, and everything in between. Maine Built Boats, big or small, power, paddle or sail, are built with superior craftsmanship, durability, materials and engineering. These builders would never allow anything less.
3/27/2010
Maine Built Boats: Art & Soul - coming to Mystic Seaport!
Gary Jobson, ESPN commentator, former America's Cup Tactician, lecturer and writer has spent a lot of time over the years in Maine, and has been filming a full documentary about Maine's boatbuilding industry since January. MAINE BUILT BOATS: ART & SOUL examines and celebrates Maine's 400 year old boatbuilding industry, visiting builders all over Maine. The builders talk about what makes Maine boats so special: the way they have fused new technology into their age old craft, the incredibly high skill level, work ethic and personal pride of each and every builder.
Maine Built Boats: Art & Soul - coming to Mystic Seaport!
Gary Jobson, ESPN commentator, former America's Cup Tactician, lecturer and writer has spent a lot of time over the years in Maine, and has been filming a full documentary about Maine's boatbuilding industry since January. MAINE BUILT BOATS: ART & SOUL examines and celebrates Maine's 400 year old boatbuilding industry, visiting builders all over Maine. The builders talk about what makes Maine boats so special: the way they have fused new technology into their age old craft, the incredibly high skill level, work ethic and personal pride of each and every builder.
9/16/2008
Gary Jobson talks about Maine Built Boats
Gary Jobson, world renowned sailor, author & ESPN commentator, has spent a lot of time over the years in Maine, and has been filming a full documentary about Maine's boatbuilding industry since January. Jane Wellehan, President of MBB and resident tour guide, finally gets to turn the tables on Gary and see what he thinks. Gary has visited small and large boatbuilders, and seen Maine's industry up close. "Everyone cares about their job; there is a high level of talent here, and Maine boats stack up against any in the world."
Gary Jobson talks about Maine Built Boats
Gary Jobson, world renowned sailor, author & ESPN commentator, has spent a lot of time over the years in Maine, and has been filming a full documentary about Maine's boatbuilding industry since January. Jane Wellehan, President of MBB and resident tour guide, finally gets to turn the tables on Gary and see what he thinks. Gary has visited small and large boatbuilders, and seen Maine's industry up close. "Everyone cares about their job; there is a high level of talent here, and Maine boats stack up against any in the world."
9/16/2008
Jon Johansen on Lobster Boats & Lobster Boat Racing
Jon Johansen, publisher of Maine Coastal News, has been reporting on Maine's commercial and pleasure boat industry since 1986. A great historian, Jon heads up Maine's Lobster Boat Races. The races started in the 1960's in Jonesport, and today enjoy 9 venues throughout the summer. Top speeds today have been recorded at 60 knots! Jon believes that the reason Maine makes such great boats is pride and tradition, which came from Maine yards such as Hinckley and Hodgdon, and from builders who travelled to Maine, who had worked at places like Herreshoff. Today, they all just want to do the job right.
Jon Johansen on Lobster Boats & Lobster Boat Racing
Jon Johansen, publisher of Maine Coastal News, has been reporting on Maine's commercial and pleasure boat industry since 1986. A great historian, Jon heads up Maine's Lobster Boat Races. The races started in the 1960's in Jonesport, and today enjoy 9 venues throughout the summer. Top speeds today have been recorded at 60 knots! Jon believes that the reason Maine makes such great boats is pride and tradition, which came from Maine yards such as Hinckley and Hodgdon, and from builders who travelled to Maine, who had worked at places like Herreshoff. Today, they all just want to do the job right.
8/29/2008
French & Webb
Todd French, partner in French & Webb, met his partner, Peter, while both teaching at the Landing School. They have been in business together in Belfast for 17 years. They usually build cold molded wooden boats, but this past year have been restoring 3 identical 1902 Buzzard Bay 30's. Todd talks about Maine Built Boats, and says that the trade alliance helps make smaller builders better known by their association with bigger builders. Maine built boats are built with "tradition, innovation, individualistic enegy. If you own a Maine boat, you will have a beatiful piece of functional art."
French & Webb
Todd French, partner in French & Webb, met his partner, Peter, while both teaching at the Landing School. They have been in business together in Belfast for 17 years. They usually build cold molded wooden boats, but this past year have been restoring 3 identical 1902 Buzzard Bay 30's. Todd talks about Maine Built Boats, and says that the trade alliance helps make smaller builders better known by their association with bigger builders. Maine built boats are built with "tradition, innovation, individualistic enegy. If you own a Maine boat, you will have a beatiful piece of functional art."
8/25/2008
Bentley Collins of Sabre talks about Sabre, Maine, and what makes both unique
Bentley Collins of Sabre Yachts talks about building boats in Maine. "People love Maine Built Boats The integrity and quality of work that comes out of Maine is unsurpassed." Builders of both sail and power boats, Sabre has received great honors for their new Sabre Spirt. "We start with the hull shape, make sure it is fun to sail, then add what we can to meet people's expectations. We like to be in both sail and power, as it represents the whole industry."
Bentley Collins of Sabre talks about Sabre, Maine, and what makes both unique
Bentley Collins of Sabre Yachts talks about building boats in Maine. "People love Maine Built Boats The integrity and quality of work that comes out of Maine is unsurpassed." Builders of both sail and power boats, Sabre has received great honors for their new Sabre Spirt. "We start with the hull shape, make sure it is fun to sail, then add what we can to meet people's expectations. We like to be in both sail and power, as it represents the whole industry."
8/25/2008
Cabot Lyman & JB Turner of Lyman Morse talk about Custom Boatbuilding in Maine
Cabot Lyman and JB Turner of Custom Boatbuilder Lyman Morse talk about how their projects originate. They do not advertise very much, but instead let their work speak for itself. "Our workforce is very artistic and unbelievably skilled. They are young, and most of them are from this area." Lyman Morse always makes sure that they are on the cutting edge of technology, and believe that Maine stacks up against anywhere else in the world as a place to build a boat.
Cabot Lyman & JB Turner of Lyman Morse talk about Custom Boatbuilding in Maine
Cabot Lyman and JB Turner of Custom Boatbuilder Lyman Morse talk about how their projects originate. They do not advertise very much, but instead let their work speak for itself. "Our workforce is very artistic and unbelievably skilled. They are young, and most of them are from this area." Lyman Morse always makes sure that they are on the cutting edge of technology, and believe that Maine stacks up against anywhere else in the world as a place to build a boat.
8/25/2008
Don Ellis about Custom Boatbuilding & Maine Ethics
Don Ellis of Ellis Boat Company clearly loves the creative process of boatbuilding. Each boat is different, and the boat design can continue to change with the owners input even after sea trials. Don launched a boat this summer for musician Billy Joel, who Don described as a "serious fisherman". He came to Maine for the quality and honesty of our boats. Regarding workforce, Don says that he likes to hire people with "real Maine character" - the types that never give up until the project is perfect.
Don Ellis about Custom Boatbuilding & Maine Ethics
Don Ellis of Ellis Boat Company clearly loves the creative process of boatbuilding. Each boat is different, and the boat design can continue to change with the owners input even after sea trials. Don launched a boat this summer for musician Billy Joel, who Don described as a "serious fisherman". He came to Maine for the quality and honesty of our boats. Regarding workforce, Don says that he likes to hire people with "real Maine character" - the types that never give up until the project is perfect.
8/25/2008
Glenn Holland of Holland's Boat Shop talks about Building & Racing Lobster Boats
Glenn Holland has been building boats for 35 years in Belfast. He comes from a family of fishermen, and decided to build fishing boats instead. Early on in his business, he sold mostly workboats, but today has about a 50/50 mix of pleasure & commercial boat owners. We got talking about the Lobster Boat race, and Glenn, who has over 100 trophies himself, shared that it is all about hull shape and engine size. He thinks boats are better made today than in the past, and cites the use of more composites with making boats lighter...and of course faster. It saves fuel, but is also lots of fun!
Glenn Holland of Holland's Boat Shop talks about Building & Racing Lobster Boats
Glenn Holland has been building boats for 35 years in Belfast. He comes from a family of fishermen, and decided to build fishing boats instead. Early on in his business, he sold mostly workboats, but today has about a 50/50 mix of pleasure & commercial boat owners. We got talking about the Lobster Boat race, and Glenn, who has over 100 trophies himself, shared that it is all about hull shape and engine size. He thinks boats are better made today than in the past, and cites the use of more composites with making boats lighter...and of course faster. It saves fuel, but is also lots of fun!
8/25/2008
John and Ingrid Kachmar on Wilbur Yachts
John & Ingrid Kachmar run Wilbur Yachts together. Ingrid grew up in the company, and learned a great deal from her father, founder Lee Wilbur. "Quality is always job #1." As a custom boatbuilder, their customers are very discerning, and know what they want out of their boats. John says that he is living the dream, and takes tremendous pride in the boats they make in their Southwest Harbor facility.
John and Ingrid Kachmar on Wilbur Yachts
John & Ingrid Kachmar run Wilbur Yachts together. Ingrid grew up in the company, and learned a great deal from her father, founder Lee Wilbur. "Quality is always job #1." As a custom boatbuilder, their customers are very discerning, and know what they want out of their boats. John says that he is living the dream, and takes tremendous pride in the boats they make in their Southwest Harbor facility.
8/25/2008
John Hanson riffs on Maine Boatbuilding
John Hanson, publisher of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine, came to Maine in 1973 and worked at the Hinckley yard, where he learned a tremendous amount. The tradition of teaching and passing on the craft of boatbuilding continues to be a critical part of the Maine tradition, and John states that "thelaunguage of quality that Maine speaks as well as anywhere in the world" has been passed around the world through our schoools. As to the varitey of builders in our state, John says they are like jazz musicians, each taking a theme and innovating it just enough to make it their own, each builder with a unique talent and point of view.
John Hanson riffs on Maine Boatbuilding
John Hanson, publisher of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine, came to Maine in 1973 and worked at the Hinckley yard, where he learned a tremendous amount. The tradition of teaching and passing on the craft of boatbuilding continues to be a critical part of the Maine tradition, and John states that "thelaunguage of quality that Maine speaks as well as anywhere in the world" has been passed around the world through our schoools. As to the varitey of builders in our state, John says they are like jazz musicians, each taking a theme and innovating it just enough to make it their own, each builder with a unique talent and point of view.
8/25/2008
Kerri Russell & Bill Wright from John Williams Boat Company
Kerri Russell and Bill Wright talk to us about John Williams Boat Company's boats. The company built fishing boats until the mid 1980's, when John Williams first adapted the very stable, seaworthy hull into a pleasure boat. Today, John Williams Boat Company takes care of over 100 vessels, and is a semi-custom boatbuilder. Every inch of space is well utilized, and Kerri shares that she "is humbled by the level of talent we have in our yard."
Kerri Russell & Bill Wright from John Williams Boat Company
Kerri Russell and Bill Wright talk to us about John Williams Boat Company's boats. The company built fishing boats until the mid 1980's, when John Williams first adapted the very stable, seaworthy hull into a pleasure boat. Today, John Williams Boat Company takes care of over 100 vessels, and is a semi-custom boatbuilder. Every inch of space is well utilized, and Kerri shares that she "is humbled by the level of talent we have in our yard."
8/25/2008
Phil Bennett of Hinckley Yachts on tradition & technology
Phil Bennett talks with Gary Jobson about what makes Hinckley Yachts unique. "It's their blend of traditional looks and cutting edge technology" that sets them apart. Phil gives some interesting history, including the fact that Hinckley was the first sailboat to install a hot water heater for comfort. Phil also explains that for most people in the boating industry, "it's beyond fun, it's a passion."
Phil Bennett of Hinckley Yachts on tradition & technology
Phil Bennett talks with Gary Jobson about what makes Hinckley Yachts unique. "It's their blend of traditional looks and cutting edge technology" that sets them apart. Phil gives some interesting history, including the fact that Hinckley was the first sailboat to install a hot water heater for comfort. Phil also explains that for most people in the boating industry, "it's beyond fun, it's a passion."
8/25/2008
Tim Hodgdon talks about 200 years of history and the future of Hodgdon Yachts
Tim Hodgdon, 5th generation to run the Hodgdon Yard in East Boothbay, shares the vast history of his family's yard. Over the years, they have built over 400 vessels, from Navy minesweepers to coastal schooners to high quality yachts. Earlier this year, they completed a vessel for the US Office of Naval Research. Tim says that Maine people have "huge skill sets" and their skills are transferable to any type of boat that they might choose to make.
Tim Hodgdon talks about 200 years of history and the future of Hodgdon Yachts
Tim Hodgdon, 5th generation to run the Hodgdon Yard in East Boothbay, shares the vast history of his family's yard. Over the years, they have built over 400 vessels, from Navy minesweepers to coastal schooners to high quality yachts. Earlier this year, they completed a vessel for the US Office of Naval Research. Tim says that Maine people have "huge skill sets" and their skills are transferable to any type of boat that they might choose to make.
8/25/2008
WoodenBoat's Publisher Carl Cramer talks about Maine Boatbuilding
Carl Cramer, publisher of WoodenBoat Magazine, talks about Maine Boatbuilding. The diversity of wooden boat construction in the State is extroidanary, he says. People are building everything from 7' nutshell prams to 95' cold molded custom yachts. There are people in Maine who have been building boats in their families for generations, and so they have the opportunity to draw on the tradition and techniques of the past, yet build on the tradition with new technologies, as in cold molded construction. WoodenBoat has helped foster a spirit of communication between builders for the 33 years the magazine has been in Maine.
WoodenBoat's Publisher Carl Cramer talks about Maine Boatbuilding
Carl Cramer, publisher of WoodenBoat Magazine, talks about Maine Boatbuilding. The diversity of wooden boat construction in the State is extroidanary, he says. People are building everything from 7' nutshell prams to 95' cold molded custom yachts. There are people in Maine who have been building boats in their families for generations, and so they have the opportunity to draw on the tradition and techniques of the past, yet build on the tradition with new technologies, as in cold molded construction. WoodenBoat has helped foster a spirit of communication between builders for the 33 years the magazine has been in Maine.
8/24/2008
Tom & Cuyler Morris talk about Morris Yachts, Sailing, and working with family
Tom & Cuyler Morris of Morris Yachts still build only sailboats. Why? "We're sailors" responds Tom. Cuyler says they live & breathe sailing, and it is reflected in their boats. As to why people come to Maine to build boats, both believe it is the exceptional quality of workmanship and materials available here. When asked about working together, both agreed that it has been a great ride.
Tom & Cuyler Morris talk about Morris Yachts, Sailing, and working with family
Tom & Cuyler Morris of Morris Yachts still build only sailboats. Why? "We're sailors" responds Tom. Cuyler says they live & breathe sailing, and it is reflected in their boats. As to why people come to Maine to build boats, both believe it is the exceptional quality of workmanship and materials available here. When asked about working together, both agreed that it has been a great ride.
8/20/2008
A Visit with Barry Acker, President of the Landing School
Barry Acker, President of the Landing School, states that the schools sole mission is to prepare students for jobs in the boating industry. Students come as graduates from high school and college; some enroll due to a desire to change careers. With 10 month programs in boatbuilding, design, and systems, their graduates are now employed all over the world. Barry believes that the school builds off of Maine's boatbuilding tradition, and then help spread that tradition all over the world.
A Visit with Barry Acker, President of the Landing School
Barry Acker, President of the Landing School, states that the schools sole mission is to prepare students for jobs in the boating industry. Students come as graduates from high school and college; some enroll due to a desire to change careers. With 10 month programs in boatbuilding, design, and systems, their graduates are now employed all over the world. Barry believes that the school builds off of Maine's boatbuilding tradition, and then help spread that tradition all over the world.
8/20/2008
Steve White of Brooklin Boatyard on Custom Boatbuilding
Steve White grew up at Brooklin Boatyard, founded by his father Joel. He learned first hand about Maine's work ethic and believes that peer pressure keeps the workmanship elevated. The old ways of doing things were incredible, and he believes that fusing the techniques and traditions that have been handed down through the generations with today's modern technology allows us to build even better boats today.
Steve White of Brooklin Boatyard on Custom Boatbuilding
Steve White grew up at Brooklin Boatyard, founded by his father Joel. He learned first hand about Maine's work ethic and believes that peer pressure keeps the workmanship elevated. The old ways of doing things were incredible, and he believes that fusing the techniques and traditions that have been handed down through the generations with today's modern technology allows us to build even better boats today.
