PORTLAND YACHT SERVICE'S BOATBUILDERS SHOW 58 FORE STREET, PORTLAND, MAINE - 16, 17 and 18 March 2012 A LOOK AT MAINE’S BOATBUILDING INDUSTRY THE MAINE
On 8 March Washburn & Doughty of East Boothbay launched the 86-foot Z-drive tug MARK MORAN.
As most know the past several years have not been kind to most boatbuilders around the United States. Some have been able to weather the economic storm, some sold out, others combined with another com- pany, and some have simply vanished. Rich- ard Stanley of Great Harbor Boat Works in Manset said once to me that he could not do what his father, Ralph Stanley, had done, and that was build and repair boats on the shore of Southwest Harbor. Due to the expense of operating on coastal property and the size of the property Richard was forced to move his operation to Manset, off the water, and focus on storage and repair. There is no question that the boatbuilding industry has undergone a major change in the last few years. The economy seems to be a bit better, but still there is a lack of confidence by most of the public. This means that there are not as many new boats under construction as before the economic downturn. Some companies have seen a turn around, namely Back Cove, Hinckley and Sabre. Most of this has been the results of good marketing. Those that cling to the old methods of marketing, or lack of mar- keting, are being left behind. It is seldom today that a person walks through a boatbuilder’s door and throws a bundle of money on the desk and says build me a boat. Now, you better be on the Internet with at least a website. Other social media, such as Facebook, is also helpful in getting the mes- sage out. Yes, some of the old methods still work, print media and boat shows, but one should always evaluate their marketing ef- forts as to their true worth.
The last two years there has been a slight increase in the number of boats built here in
the State of Maine, but most of these have been for the pleasure market. Again, the focus has switched from building to storage and repair. Those that were not diversified, or switched within the last few years, have had a difficult time.
I thought more commercial boats would have been sold because the lobster catch over the last two seasons has been so good in a number of areas on the coast. Yes, there were a few new boats sold, but not nearly what I had thought there would have been. The backlog of yesteryears are long forgot- ten and only a couple of builders have one, Johns Bay Boat Company in South Bristol, and S. W. Boat Works in Lamoine. Years ago I questioned at what point is the commercial lobster boat market saturated and maybe that point has been reached. Even some builders agree. However another factor is finances and many are only willing to fix what they have. This means a lot of repair work, but much of this is either being done by the fisherman or a backyard builder. However the material technology has changed so much over the last decade and most backyard builders have not kept up and this could spell trouble to the boat owner. Yes, you might save money initially, but if there is a failure you may pay dearly to have it repaired right.
The new technology has made it into a lot of shops, even the ones specializing in lobster boat construction. It is all about weight and strength and creating the best possible product.
Fortunately some commercial fisher- men still want a new boat. The next question is what do you do with the old one? These are
either sitting idle or sold. Those sold are being totally rebuilt as a commercial or plea- sure boat.
One interesting aspect of the boatbuilding industry is that a number of the commercial boats ordered are kit boats, which are heading to a finisher to be completed. Over the last three years a number of these shops have been hit the hardest and have either gone into hibernation or closed for good.
Now despite the downturn in the indus- try let us try to stick a dagger into the heart of the Maine boatbuilder by sending OSHA in. This has been precipitated by the current administration in Washington, DC with a complete disregard. It is one thing to come in and work with the industry and make it safer, no one would or should argue with that. However under this administration OSHA does not work that way. They come in and fine, and the fines are not cheap with most infractions $2,000 or more. When they leave the total more than likely will exceed $10,000. OSHA is not funded by your tax dollars, they survive on fines and that should be changed. With the way the regulations are written there is no way that you can be completely compli- ant and you become the source of their rev- enue.
As for Maine Built Boats (MBB) there have been some changes over the last year. Last January, Jane Wellehan decided to leave and Kerri Russell from John Williams Boat Company of Mount Desert Island stepped up as president of the board and filled in. How- ever in October she decided to step down. Jon Johansen stepped up and was voted in as president of the board. The board then began
MAINE BUILT BOATS NEWS
making changes so that MBB was doing what it was designed to do and that is market the Maine boatbuilding industry. One change was to attend more boat shows this year. They will be at the Maine Boatbuilder’s Show, Maine Boating Expo, Commercial Marine Expo, Maine Boats, Home and Harbor’s Boat Show and the Newport Inter- national Boat Show. With additional funds this will expand further. Other changes were to make sure the website, newsletters and other social media outlets were being utilized properly. There is still work to do, but MBB is moving in the right direction and doing what it was designed to do.
CONTENTS
Seminar Schedule Exhibitor Location
Save the KATAHDIN Floor Plan
Exhibitor List 3
4-5 5
6-7 8-18
Rebuilding the Tug CADET 19 Obituaries:
Harold Dynamite Payson Basil Day Arvid Young Corliss Holland
Ernest Libby, Jr.’s Passing 21 Giffy on a Few Boatbuilders 23
20-24
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