Page 6. MAINE COASTAL NEWS December 2014 BlueJackets Shipcrafters Makes Changes
SEARSPORT – For those that travel through Searsport I am sure that you have seen the long building with a lighthouse attached to it almost opposite Hamilton Marine. This is the home of BlueJacket Shipcrafts and for those who build wooden ship-models this is a must stop. Now if you are looking for a hobby and you want to build a fi ne ship-mod- el then you need to stop in.
More than a year ago BlueJacket Shipcrafters was sold to Nic Damuck of Connecticut. The former owners, Jeff and Susie Marger mailed out a newsletter saying that they were interested in fi nding someone to take over the business. Nic saw this and immediately sent them an e-mail, which was followed up by a telephone conversation a couple of days later. It did not take long and Nic became the owner on 4 October 2013. Nic grew up in West Haven, Connecti- cut and later moved to East Haddam where he had lived the 23 years. His profession was in industrial control sales, being a product manager, and later sales manager, for companies that made sensors that go on automated machinery. He added, “I have been a modeler my entire life. I started with plastic models and then got into radio con- trol airplanes. About 30 years ago I started wooden ship modeling. I even build models out of paper.”
As soon as Nic took over he began making changes. The fi rst thing he did was clean out all the old paperwork that could no longer be used. He said, “There were a lot of old papers and documents from the 1990s that didn’t apply, couldn’t be used, so that went into the trash. There was even stuff on fl oppy disks that you can even read anymore.”
Maybe you noticed that the outside of the building was changed as the cut down two trees and painted the outside of the bulding. Nic’s sister and brother-in-law, who love repairing buildings, came up and repainted the They have made changes in their advertising as well. Those model magazines that pertained mainly to plastic models they altered their ads so that they say,
‘Why don’t you try a wooden ship model?’ Other changes included giving em-
ployees more fl exibility in their schedules; change the newsletter and issued a survey to their current customers asking what models did they want to see in the future. Nic added that the survey came out re- ally interesting, saying “By far and away the largest group was sailing ships. The number one model, which we are going to start very soon, is a cutaway view of the whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN at the try-works. We have discovered a way of making min- iature brick to scale, so the modelers are actually going to build the try works brick by brick. Following that we are going to do the USS OREGON, the Spanish-American war battleship. After that we are going to do the six-master WYOMING. Nic continued, “We’re refocusing the business on coming out with new kits and less on custom model work. We will still do them, but I am fi nding subcontractors to do that. We have always done repair work and that is a big part of our business, and that will continue. Having been here a year it is almost time for me to actually make a mission statement for the company.” “I have been brought up in business, I have an MBA in marketing,” said Nic. “I have been in sales and I have been in op- erations. So the mechanics of running the business was no problem at all. You know the accounting, workfl ow, and inventory well that is standard. I have been a modeler so I know the product lines and I know the customer base. But seeing how it works within BlueJackets takes quite some time.” The most popular model, in umber of kits sold, is the Yankee Hero, which is an ensign series kit for our fi rst-time modelers. This model includes all the paint, tools, glue, everything you need along with more detailed instructions. Next is the Swampcott dory and the medium sized lobster boat. Presently they are working two kits: the
CSS ALABAMA and USS KEARSARGE. These will be limited-edition kits, celebrat- ing the 150th
anniversary of their battle off
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A view of the showroom at BlueJackets.
France in which the KEARSARGE sent the Confederate raider ALABAMA to the bot- tom. There will be 150 of each kit produced and numbered. They are $739 each and already they have sold more than 50 of each kit. If you buy both kits there is a discount of $50.
ALABAMA is done and was exhibited at the Nautical Research Guild’s conference in St. Louis in October. KEARSARGE is getting rigged and soon well be available. Once this kit is complete they will begin the
CHARLES W. MORGAN kit.
As people get older they begin looking for a hobby and one that fascinates many is building a high-class wooden ship model. If you stop in at the showroom, or look at their website, I am sure there is something there that could entice you to become a model builder. So the next time passing through Searsport take the time and stop in I am sure you will be amazed at what they have to offer.
The Apprenticeshop Launches New Web- site for Upcoming Season; Announces Renovation of Buildings
ROCKLAND, MAINE—The Appren- ticeshop has just launched a new website (
apprenticeshop.org) designed by Where- doyougoto, in collaboration with The Steel House. The new site will provide visitors with information about Apprenticeshop pro- grams and upcoming events, such as launch- ing of small craft in December and toboggan workshops throughout the winter. The site will serve as a portal to information about partnerships with local organizations such as the Hurricane Island Foundation, after- school programs, and other collaborations. “The staff, apprentices, and board of trustees of the Shop are continuing to put our energies into running an outstanding apprentice program—using the craft of wooden boatbuilding to develop manual and interpersonal skills in a community that shares a passion for boats, working with your hands, traditional skills, and seaman- ship.” says longtime lead instructor Kevin Carney. “Well into our fall building season we are preparing to launch two Susan skiffs in the coming weeks, followed by a Colum-
bia dinghy later in December, when we will also be graduating one two-year apprentice and two 12-week interns. We are excited to come back after break in the new year, re-energized and ready to start the spring building season, which will include an 18- foot rowing wherry and other small boats.” The Apprenticeshop is also planning a renovation of its street level space on Main Street in Rockland. Joe Godfrey Construc- tion is overseeing the building of two new offi ces, a maritime library, and conference/ class space, scheduled for completion in late February.
The Shop is now accepting applications
for the 2-year Apprenticeship program with January and July start dates and the 12-week Internship program, which runs year-round with start dates in September, January, April, and July. Toboggan workshops run in De- cember and January.
For more information, contact the Apprenticeshop at info@apprenticeshop. org, visit
www.apprenticeshop.org, or call 207-594-1800.
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