Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS December 2011


Maine Coastal News P.O. Box 710


(207) 223-8846


Winterport, Maine 04496-0710 U.S.A. E-mail - igmatats@aol.com


Web site: www.mainescoast.com Fax (207) 223-9004 Publisher's Note


Maine Coastal News is dedicated to covering the waterfront of State of Maine. It covers commercial fishing, yachting (power and sail), boat yard and waterfront news and maritime history. Maine Coastal News is published 12 times per year. The distribution of Maine Coastal News is from Eastport to Kittery and is free on the newsstand. It also can be by subscription. A year subscription, 12 issues, is $20.00. A single copy is $2.00, which covers the postage. Foreign rates for subscriptions are $40.00 per year. The Maine Coastal News office is located at 966 North Main Street, Winterport, Maine. Comments or additional information write: Maine Coastal News, P.O. Box 710, Winterport,


Maine 04496.


For a number of years I have been a board member of Maine Built Boats (MBB). This organization was designed to market the boatbuilders of Maine to the rest of the World, similar to what New Zealand and other countries do. It was started by several of the larger named builders, who attended some of the bigger boat shows, such as Fort Lauderdale. The idea gained momentum and it was thought that all the builders should become part of the organization to show solidarity. Then came the WIRED grant, but this really did not benefit MBB as it was meant to train workers and not for marketing. Then three years ago the economy went into a tailspin and boatbuilders really began to struggle. Over the last two years the new boat construction market has been better, but it still has not fully recovered and it may not. One question is whether the commercial lobster boat market is flooded? For others this is a pleasure item and in a soft economy these are the first items to go. Fortunately the Maine boatbuilder has a variety of hulls and lots of talent and this means they can be more versatile than other builders around the country.


Publisher Editor-in-Chief


Jon B. Johansen Rachel Elward


Advertising Deadlines: The deadline for the January issue is 9 December. The deadline for the February issue is 6 January.


MCN's Calendar of Coastal Events


On-Going Exhibits: 17 Dec – 13 May ’12 Port of Portland; Maine Maritime Museum, Bath Maine Maritime Museum’s latest exhibit presents a vision of the history of Maine’s Gateway City as portrayed by the ships that have transited Portland Head to clear Spring Point Ledge, a series of vessels as diverse as the different eras they represent; vessels that have brought hope, grief, sustenance, prosperity, disappointment, and a good day’s work to its people.


For more information visit www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org or call 207.443-1316 during business hours.


2 Dec – 3 Jan: Exhibit: Port of Portland: A Ship-Shaped History, Portland Public Library, Lewis Gallery, Portland; Opening event - 5 p.m., Friday Dec. 2 – Director’s Remarks and Meet the Curator


Maine Maritime Museum’s latest exhibit presents a vision of the history of Maine’s Gateway City as portrayed by the ships that have transited Portland Head to clear Spring Point Ledge, a series of vessels as diverse as the different eras they represent; vessels that have brought hope, grief, sustenance, prosperity, disappointment, and a good day’s work to its people.


For more information visit www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org or call 207.443-1316 during business hours.


Summer 2012 Exhibit: Schooner BOWDOIN on the Greenland Patrol”,


Castine Historical Society, School Street, Castine, Maine; June 25 through October 15, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Explore the untold story of Maine Maritime Academy’s historic schooner BOWDOIN during World War II while serving as U.S. Naval vessel. This exhibit will reveal the vessel’s previously uncelebrated contributions to the strategic operations of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy during World War II as part of the Greenland Patrol.


NOVEMBER 30 Book Talk: Maine’s Museums: Art, Oddities & Artifacts


Janet Mendelshon - Noon Maine Maritime Museum, Bath


The first book devoted solely to the diverse and often unexpected museums in the Pine Tree State. Whether you want to see great works of art or truly unique collections—from umbrella covers to strange creatures—you’ll find it in Maine and you’ll find it in Maine’s Museums. For information or to register visit www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org or call 207.443-1316 during business hours.


DECEMBER 6 Book Talk: City by the Sea: A Photographic History of Portland Maine John Moon, Noon


Portland Public Library, Lewis Gallery Portland


Author John Moon will discuss his fascinating book of photographic work which features rare photos of Portland from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contrasted with current photos of the same


scenes as they look today. For information or to register visit www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org or call 207.443-1316 during business hours.


16 Members Only Reception: Opening of Port of Portland: A Ship-Shaped History Maine Maritime Museum Bath


16-22 Victorian Christmas at Donnell House 3 pm to 7 pm, weekdays Noon to 5 p.m., Sat. & Sun Maine Maritime Museum Bath


Tour the Museum’s Donnell House, which will feature original Victorian Christmas décor, kid’s crafts and live musical entertainment. The Carriage House will be turned into Father Christmas’ Workshop where kids can make Victorian-era gifts to share.


Event schedule and registration available at www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org or call 207.443-1316 during business hours.


JANUARY 12-15 Providence Boat Show RI Convention Centre Providence, RI Info: (401) 846-1115


FEBRUARY


11-19 New England Boat Show Boston Convention & Exhibition


Centre Boston, MA


16-20 Miami International Boat Show Miami Beach Convention Center; 1901 Convention Center Drive,


Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center; 1635 North Bayshore Drive


Strictly Sail Miami at Miamarina at Bayside, 400 Biscayne Blvd. Miami


MARCH 16-18 Maine Boatbuilder’s Show Portland Yacht Services Portland


Info: (207) 774-1067


JUNE 13-14 Commercial Marine Expo State Pier


New Bedford, MA Info: (207) 799-1356


16 Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races


Boothbay Harbor


17 Rockland Lobster Boat Races Rockland


24 Bass Harbor Lobster Boat Races Bass Harbor


JULY 4 Moosebec Lobster Boat Races


14 Searsport Lobster Boat Races 15 Stonington Lobster Boat Races 28 Friendship Lobster Boat Races 29 Harpswell Lobster Boat Races


The problem now really boils down to marketing and reaching people that are looking for what a Maine boatbuilder can offer. Over the years MBB has tried to do just that by putting up a website, sending out a newsletter and attending boat shows.


At the beginning of last winter MBB lost their director and the president of the board assumed these duties. In October the president tended her resignation and this meant the organization was without a leader. I had done my best to limit the things I did, because of time commitments I already had. However, I realized that something had to be done and no one was stepping forward. I talked with a number of the builders about MBB and almost everyone agreed that it was a worthwhile organization. They also had some concerns, but nothing that could not be overcome. So yes, I agreed to step forward and be the president of the board. My goal is to keep it simple: it is all about marketing and that means a monthly newsletter, an up-to-date website, and going to boat shows. Fortunately this came about during my slow period. As many know summers are an impossible time for me. I did my best to write a magazine, “TugBitts,” last June and it finally went to press in October. So now I am two issues behind with the next one due the end of December.


I have been out on the road recruiting members and have not had too much trouble getting them to sign on. I am looking at what can be done to get more and/or better information out there. People really like reading about the Maine boatbuilder, and these are the people who when and if they could would own a Maine built boat.


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