Maine Boats & Harbors show sails into town

The Morris 46RS Harlequin. Morris Yachts was among the 50 in-water boat exhibitors (power and sail) at the Maine Boats & Harbors Show, Aug. 8-10, 2003, Rockland, Maine. ART PAINE PHOTO

     ROCKLAND -- The second annual Maine Boats & Harbors show will fill Rockland’s Harbor Park and waterfront Friday-Sunday, Aug. 13-15.

     Lobster yachts, jet boats, custom yachts, birchbark canoes, peapods, daysailers and more will be featured at this year’s show. But in addition to boats, the show offers a mix of fine artists, architects, furniture-makers, activities for the whole family and plenty of music and food.

     “If you are a boat owner, dream about owning a boat, or enjoy a friend’s boat, you will love this show,” said John Hanson, publisher of Maine Boats and Harbors magazine, sponsor of the event.

     More than 100 boats will be either afloat along 15,000 feet of dock space or on land for easy viewing. This is an exceptional opportunity for aficionados to view some $50 million worth of the world’s finest boats together in one place.

     This year’s highlights include the new M36 daysailer from Morris Yachts (the boat’s first public showing), a 57-foot downeast-style power cruiser from Vicem, an Arundel 27 day-boat from the Landing School, a 50’ LeBlanc Brothers custom power cruiser, a 38’ lobster yacht by Rumery’s, and the new J100 daysailer by J/Boat.

     The ever-popular lobster yacht category that was begun by Maine boatbuilders but has spread to Europe and beyond will be well represented by Hinckley, Ellis, Black Horse, Pendleton, and Wilbur Yachts. Hunt will be back with a Surfhunter or two as will Redfern Yachts. Sabre Yachts, one of Maine largest builders, will be on hand with a classic 36-foot Sabreline. John Williams Boat Company, one of the many smaller yards exhibiting at the show, will have its 38-footer Top Hat on display. And, for something completely different, there’s the all-weather ribs from Protector Boats of Alameda, California.

The busy sailboat docks at the first running of the Maine Boats & Harbors Show. The second annual Maine Boats & Harbors Show will be held Aug. 13-15, 2004. COURTESY PHOTO

     The show will host Bohndell Sails, Atlantis Marine Gear, Center Harbor Sails, Gemini Marine Canvas, H&H Propeller, Hamilton Marine, Quaker Marine supplies, and Spurs. Model makers, booksellers, yacht designers, marine photographers, service yards, insurance providers, and financiers round out the list of just about anything you need for your boat.

     Maine Maritime Academy will host daily seminars of marine safety equipment and procedures, knot tying, and marlinspike seamanship. Antique engines, runabouts, and period outboard motors will again be on display, and the Owls Head Transportation Museum will display a vintage car complete with matching period boat, trailer, and engine.

     Representatives of the Penobscot Nation will show an example in the style of one of Maine’s first boats -- a 17’ birch bark canoe built for display at the Smithsonian Institution. Burt Libby of Burt’s Canoes will be building one of his five-foot-long display canoes; an exact replica of one of his full-sized canoes, right down to the smallest detail.

     New this year is a the Ship Ahoy!, a 17’ tall, cedar tugboat-style playset from CedarWorks of Rockport. Back by popular demand is Pond Boating. The Penobscot Bay Model Yacht Club will show you and your family what remote-controlled model boating is all about.

     In the main furniture tent, Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers will demonstrate the art of furniture craftsmanship as part of their exhibit. Other exhibitors in that tent and nearby will also have projects under way.

     Want some color in your life? Maine Cottage Furniture will show its lively collection. Island Teak, Decorum, the Guild of Maine Woodworkers, Green Design Furniture, Newman’s Knees, and Shed City will also return this year. New to the show are House & Sun, Huston & Company furniture-makers, Independent Power, Jeff Lind Fine Woodworking, the Maine Wood Products Assoc., and Phi Home Designs.

     Want a whole new house? Island Cottage, B4&After Renovation Design, Beckstrom Architecture & Planning, McCormick & Assoc. builders, Wright-Ryan Construction, and others will be on hand to assist you.

     This year’s fine artists include Hope Angier of Alna, Art Endows, Artworks of Laurie Lofman Bellmore, Gil Coyle of St. George, Farnsworth Art Museum, Jane Herbert of Damariscotta, Helen Howard of Woodstock, Isalos Fine Art of Stonington, Kirk Moore of Belfast, Dana Moses of Damariscotta, Dan Daly, Linda Norton, Nils Obel, and Carol Sebold, all of Camden, and Linda Wolcott.

     Chatham Botanicals of Chatham, Mass., will display photographs. Stained glass designs by Bryony Brett and ornamental blacksmithing work by David Burtt, plus jewelry by Robert E. Eddy and David P. Virtue will also shown.

     Saturday morning a Parade of Sail featuring Rockland’s Windjammer Fleet will start the day. More than a dozen vessels will maneuver under full sail in the harbor. Shortly thereafter, the Atlantic Challenge Optimist Pram Regatta will kick off, giving local youth a chance to show off their small boat racing skills.

     Finally, Sunday at 10:30 a.m. will feature the Second Annual World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials. Six challengers will face defending Champions Rylie P. Dog and Samson for the 2004 title.

     Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

     Admission is $10 and children under 12 are admitted free of charge.

     For information call 236-8622, e-mail showinfo@maineboats.com or log onto www.maineboats.com.