December 2009 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 7.
PROFILE: SAILMAKER RICHARD HALLETT
Casco Bay - Sailing Personality of the from Rocket, the famous hockey player.
Month: Richard Hallett, owner of Hallett (Maurice “The Rocket” Richard, one of the
Canvas & Sails greatest scorers in NHL history)
SE: So the nickname wasn’t from sailing?
By Suzanne Ellis RH: Hard to say, but a little bit was
On November 23, 2009 I sat with Richard probably from sailing the Lasers. I was FAST
Hallett to learn more about him and his sailing down wind, but not so fast unwind because
life. It was a casual conversation. I had my I didn’t weight that much!
interview questions ready but at one point SE: What sailing accomplishment was
realized that the conversation was just flow- the first that was important to you?
ing and developed into an interesting history RH: Beating my older sister Connie when
of a young Maine sailor turned talented and I was young. After that, I don’t know it’s been
well accomplished racer and sail maker. so long and there have been so many races
SE: How old are you? and regattas.
RH: I’m almost 50… I’m turning 50 in SE: How many trophies do you have?
May! To me it’s just another day! (He added RH: I have no idea. Some are gone and
that his wife has convinced him of that!) some are lost.
SE: So, tell me about yourself? Where is SE: If you had to guess, how many?
your hometown? RH: Over 100
Richard Hallett, owner of Hallett Canvas & Sails.
RH: It’s right here in Falmouth, ME. I SE: (Richard then started to recount the
grew up just a mile down the road from Handy trophies from the beginning which lead to an made some changes to the Hallett 27. 2001 – Hallett designed and built a 27-footer, then
Boat. (Richard currently lives in Cumberland account of his time on the water) Won Key West on Hallett 27 with my wife, sailed it to the top of the fleet at Key West.
with his wife Rene and they have a Boston Junior program until I was around 18 with the Rene Hallett, Carter White, Rick Donovan, He’s now building and marketing his next-
terrier named Milo. They are empty-nesters Portland Yacht Club sailing program. I prob- and Scott Smithwick. 2002 – Key West - generation rocket. With hard chines and pro-
as their 2 grown daughters; Ashley & ably won 1 to 10 trophies per year almost won but took 2nd place – SOLD the nounced flare, the Hallett 33 looks sporty, but
Megan, now live on their own.) Sailing with different people as crew. De- Hallett 27. 2003 – Purchased the Evelyn 32 – bunks for four and a stove, sink, and toilet
SE: How did you get to where you are signed a 22’ race boat when I was right out of modified it, changed the sail plan, opened up below give it enough interior to take the
today? high school. Raced J24s (1981-1983); Won transom, opened up cockpit like a modern family cruising for the weekend.)
RH: Sailing has been my whole life. It all the J24 Mid Winters and various local races. racer. Key West 2006 – My youngest daugh- RH: recalling even more! 2007- raced
started in Turnabouts. SORC (Southern Ocean Racing Conference) ter Megan and I trailered THE WAGON, our Monhegan (light air) DNF, Boothbay 2008
SE: Were you involved in any other days (1981-1984) – twice with Ted Hood, modified Evelyn 32, the 2200 mile trip to Key 3rd place, MS Regatta 2nd place 2009, Won
sports as a kid? once with Rod Johnstone, and once with West, Florida. 3rd place (crew: Rene Hallett, PYC Fall Series in 08. Fleet member of Etchells
RH: I ran cross-country. And I played local Bill Reynolds from Cumberland ME. Ashley Hallett, Tom Egan, Scott Smithwick Fleet 27- sail with Rick Tonks and Jaguar
hockey. I almost got to the semi-pro level and There were a series of Ocean Racing: Start in and Jon Randall. Teamed up with yacht de- series with Ralph Carpenter. 2009 –Center-
then bailed out. I just didn’t see it happening. St. Petersburg then 150 miles to Ft Lauder- signer Sean Fawcett and boat builder Brion board Regatta – ran aground because we
SE: So, when did you start sailing? dale; the Ocean Triangle out of Miami; and Rieff to develop a 33 foot evolution of this were sailing stupidly, then mast fell during
RH: I was 8 years old. I have trophies Miami to Nassau. Married Rene. In 1986, fast, fun and easy to sail sport boat - Hallett the PHRF Maine. Come back for MS Regatta
from back in the ‘70s. started my own business – I was the UK Sail 33 shortly after I sold the Hallett 27. 2nd place and PHRF NE’s 7
th
place.
SE: How did you learn to sail? loft for three and half years in Portland. Then (For Your Information - Source: Cruising
RH: I sailed with my dear old Dad - Merle grew out of space in Portland and moved to World, Nov 1, 2005 - Five years ago, Richard
Continued on Page 18.
Hallett. I can’t ever remember sailing for the loft at Handy Boat and became (‘91) North
first time. I also did the Portland Yacht Club Sail loft for five years; Hallett Canvas and
Junior Sailing Program. I never taught sailing Sails with North logo. I personally purchased
except for a few individuals here and there! my own computer cutter. I just wanted to
SE: Let’s start at the beginning. You’ve make my own sails.
been sailing since you were eight years old; SE: Why?
when did you start competing? RH: I thought it would be a good idea. So,
RH: When I was eight! I cut the cord from North Sails in 1996.
SE: Do you remember your first trophy? SE: How did you learn to make sails?
RH: No, but I do remember beating my RH: I don’t know. That’s a good ques-
older (by 1 year) sister, Connie in the Turn- tion. It was just something that I was thrown
abouts. That was probably when I was ten into. Merle had a guy he knew, Jake Graves;
years old. and he showed me what to do and the rest was
SE: How would you describe yourself? self taught.
RH: Richard smiles… Depends on the SE: Who was your previous employ-
day! I’m very competitive! I don’t like to lose! ment with?
SE: I laugh – Good answer; my next RH: Merle Hallett at Handy Boat, Ted
question was going to be “Would you de- Hood and different boat programs, Yankee
scribe yourself as competitive?” So we can Marine, and also Ross Yacht yard in Florida.
nix that question! RH: sits back and recalls more. Sailed
RH: I’m just a fun loving guy! with lots of customers over the years. De-
SE: I hear people calling you Rocket. signed the Hallett 27 in 1996; then it took 4
How did you get nick-name Rocket? years to build – Completed in 2000. 2000 –
RH: That would be from the boys at took the Hallett 27 to Acura Key West Race
Handy’s back in the 70’s. I got the nickname Week (5th place). Came home to Maine and
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