Page 18. MAINE BOATBUILDERS SHOW
The True Definition of a Downeast Boat!
By Maine Coastal News most true boaters no longer read these pub-
Over the last several years national boat- lications and there are good reasons why.
ing publications have written articles on the So now for a well deserved lesson in
“Downeast Boat.” Most of these publica- Maine Maritime History 101. Those of us
tions hire the professional writers, with those who have been along the Maine coast for
big degrees and little to no knowledge of any period of time understand what a true
anything boating, especially an appreciation Downeast boat is. Simply put it is a lobster
of its history. In June 2009 one publication boat hull, either built down or skeg, fine sheer,
showed their ignorance when they published and rounded bilges, which was designed and
an article “Downeast Designers.” built for lobstering by someone in the State
This sparked one designer on this coast of Maine.
to say this pushed him over the ledge. He One can trace the evolution back to
added, “I happen to be tired of every boat William Frost of Beals Island in the early
that has a positive sheerline and spoon bow 1900s. Yes, he was Canadian, before settling
being referred to as a ‘Downeast boat’. This on Beals Island and he had some very novel
article is irking because they claim the great ideas. Not only did he design great lobster
Downeast boat designers are Hunt and Zurn. boats, but also rumrunners. Some may say
I was ready to crown the author who didn’t that the lobster boat was derived from the
do any more research than see who is adver- Friendship Sloop or the Hampton. However,
This wooden boat was built by Sumner McFarland of South Bristol and is owned by Bruce
tising in the magazine…But maybe we to the die-hard lobster boat lover, it was Will Farrin Jr. of South Bristol.
should stand back and be humored that a Frost and other designer/builders of Beals pealing to the eye. so ugly that even the Canadians would not
small group of builders, building simple Island and Jonesport. These include: Clifford One article from a glossy publication build them. You can not call the Southport
proper watercraft have become an icon in a and Richard Alley, the Backmans, Adrian showed a number of boats which had no re-
large complicated industry.” Beal, Alvin Beal, Calvin Beal, Jr., Clinton Beal, semblance to the Downeast hull, some were
Continued on Page 26.
Most readers today will not remember Isaac Beal, Mariner Beal, Osmond Beal, Riley
back far enough when a glossy marine pub- Beal, Vinal Beal, Wayne Beal, Willis Beal,
lication was worth reading. You have to go George Brown, Doug Dodge, Will and Bert
back before World War II when “Rudder” Frost, Harold Gower, Fred Lenfesty, Ernest Exhibitors
and “Yachting” actually had decent editorial Libby, Jr., and the Smiths.
Wilbur Yachts
content. Today, most glossy marine publica- Other designers along the coast who Continued from Page 11.
P.O. Box 1300
tions are slim editorially, written by people have been instrumental in the design and
Waterman Marine Corporation Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
who know little about what they write and construction of the Maine lobster boat, i.e.
475 US Rt #1 (207) 244-5000
then the advertising staff lies to the adver- Downeast hull are: Raymond Bunker (Mount
Freeport, ME 04032
www.wilburyachts.com
tisers telling them they have thousands and Desert), Vincent Cavanaugh (Portland),
(207) 869-9100 Custom yacht builder, brokerage and
thousands of readers when a large majority Harvey Church (Milbridge), Cy Cousins
www.watermanmarine.net repairs
of these magazines sit unread. Bottomline, (East Blue Hill), Bruce Cunningham (Round
Display of marine dock systems
Pond), Arno and Frank Day,
Women Under Sail
Brooklin, Ralph Ellis (Mount
West Bay Boats P.O. Box 303
Desert), Harvey Gamage (South
8 Town Landing Rd. South Freeport, ME 04032
Bristol), Goudy & Stevens (East
Steuben, ME 04680 (207) 415-1606
Boothbay), George ‘Sonny’
(207) 546-4300
www.womenundersail.com
Hodgdon (East Boothbay), Norman
& COMPANY, INC.
www.westbayboats.com Sailing school for women
Hodgdon (Boothbay), Glenn Hol-
Display of custom boat construction
BOATBUILDING
land (Belfast), the Lashs (Friend-
WoodenBoat Publications
&
ship), Spencer Lincoln (Brooklin),
West System, Inc. P.O. Box 78
Carroll and Royal Lowell (Yarmouth),
CUSTOM JOINERY
102 Patterson Ave. Brooklin, ME 04616
the Richs (Mount Desert), Lyford
Bay City, MI 48706 (207) 359-4651
Current Projects:
Stanley (Mount Desert), and Ralph
(989) 684-7286
www.woodenboat.com
Fife 8-Meter yacht "Quest" in for structural repairs.
Stanley (Mount Desert). And this
www.westsystem.com WoodenBoat Magazine & WoodenBoat
just mentions a few.
34' Herreshoff yacht "Aida" - new construction.
Display of epoxy products School
There have been changes over
the years, mostly driven by larger
Just launched:
Westergard Boat Hackmatack Knees Yachting Solutions, LLC
horsepower and the need for more
29’ Stephens, Waring & White launch powered by a
RR #2 229 Commercial St.
deck space for ease of fishing and
Steyr Hybrid diesel/electricsystem. Tusket, Nova Scotia, Canada B0W 3M0
Rockport, ME 04856
the designers and builders have
See us at the 2010 Maine Boatbuilders Show.
(902) 648-2275 (207) 701-7160
kept up with the desires of the buyer.
www.westergardboatyard.ca www.yachtingsolutions.com
Over the last several years the
Truckload hackmatack knee sale The Bristol Skiff
Downeast hull has become very
popular with the pleasure boat mar-
Yankee Marina
ket. They have finally discovered
21 FRONT STREET P.O. Box 548
what the Maine lobster fishermen
BELFAST, MAINE 04915
Yarmouth, ME 04096
has known for years and that these
207~338~6706
(207) 846-4326
designs are excellent sea boats, plus
www.frenchwebb.com
www.yankeemarina.com
they have lines which are very ap-
Display of Services Offered
E.S. BOHNDELL & CO., INC.
Sails and Rigging
U.S. Route 1, Rockport, Maine 04856
(207) 236-3549
Marinedeck Distributor and Fabricator for
glyph1197ew England & Atlantic Canada
Cglyph1197C Machining
For the Finest in Cruising Sails Custom Mill Work
Table and Counter Tops - Solid Surface and Wood
Authorized Selden Service Centre
Experienced Cabinetmakers & Marine Varnishers
Sail Handling Systems
Sail Washing & Repairs Contact Gardner Pickering
gardner@hewesco.com
Full Service Rigging Shop
Blue Hill, Maine 04614 207-374-2275
www.hewesco.com
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