The first Hood 35 LM series launched at Lyman-Morse in Thomaston.
The oyster schooner A. J. MEERWALD hauled from the parking lot beside Front Street Shipyard to the main yard so she could be picked up with a travelift and launched after a major rebuild of her deck and houses.
Artisan Boat Works, Rockport
In the main shop they have an Idem scow, which is a 1899 Clinton Crane design. There is a fleet of 10 or 12 of these that have raced on a small lake up in the Adirondacks since 1900. They have a big gaff rig, cotton sails and are 32 feet on deck. When this one came in, they flipped her over and have completely rebuilt the hull. They replaced the whole center line structure, most of the frames, all the bottom planking, splined the topside seams and then gave her a super high racing finish. She will be coming back this winter for a new deck. They are still working on the spars, attaching new bronze hardware coming from J. M. Reineck & Son from Hull, Massachusetts and varnishing. This is the third one of these scows they have done. Owner of the yard Alec Brainerd said, “A lot of what we end up doing on these restorations is actually just getting rid of previous repairs and trying to get the boat back to what it is supposed to be. The repairs that have happened over the years are kind of what keeps them floating, but also what makes the restoration challenging because you have got to get all of that out in order to get the shape back where you want it. It is a pretty cool construction and is done as well as any of those early one-design boats. They were lightly built and I would say built as well as any, but they are racer so longevity wasn’t really a priority.”
The Bugatti You-You is still in the shop with the wood aspect nearly completed. “Presently, the engine is down at a specialist in Philadelphia being restored,” said Alec. “It is a single cylinder custom Bugatti engine and was designed for the boat. Imagine what all goes into that, every part that you need, needs to be custom built.”
This boat goes on the yacht ATLANTIDE, which is presently at the Royal Huisman yard in the Netherlands undergoing a major restoration. She is scheduled to return to Newport, RI next summer and Alec is working with the yard regarding the on-deck cradle for the You-You.
At the end of June the yard was pretty empty as they do their best to clean out the sheds so that just the boats they will be working on during the summer are in them. They store about 80 boats and most of these are over for the season. Some of the boats that are still in the sheds are: GRAMPUS, the North Haven launch they rebuilt this past winter; a Herreshoff 12½; a Buzzard’s Bay 18; a 1950s S & S sloop that was built by Trumpy in for a systems upgrade; a B. B. Crowninshield designed Camden Class gaff-rigged racing sloop, built by Hodgdon Brothers of East Boothbay in 1915, the only original one left, which needs a pretty significant rebuild; the first fiberglass Alerion 26 that Halsey Herreshoff built back in the early 70s, was completely restored last winter; JESTER, an Aage Neilsen designed yawl that French & Webb restored maybe 15 years ago, which has been in storage for a number of years has been sold to a couple from New Hampshire and needs a complete going through before launching; ALARA, a New York 30, is owned by a German and was on an every other year program before COVID hit, she was going to be launch this year, but the owner broke his leg just weeks before she was to be launched; and a Camden HAJ, of which maybe four are left, is ready to be launched.
For those who are handy and are looking for a nice wooden cruiser Artisan has just acquired a Rich boat, which was built on Mount Desert Island. The hull is in really good shape, with a new stem, some new planks, and could go in the water tomorrow. The super structure and interior just needs to be finished. Call Artisan if interested.
Artisan has a good solid crew, but will be looking for a couple of carpenters in early September. Alec added, “The work we do is pretty interesting and I think a lot of people appreciate the vibe of a small shop that is a little less corporate than some of the bigger places and a bit more flexible and more personable.”
Brion Rieff Boats, Brooklin
There is always something interesting going on at this yard. They are putting the finishes on a three-year project building a 34-foot sailboat. She was designed by Brion and the owner and has some classic features. The interior is done, but just needs varnish and systems completed. She has a V-berth, head to port, a nav-station to starboard and two seats that blend into a quarter berth port and starboard. Surprisingly there is no galley. They also need to get the rig varnished and painted. They are hoping to put her over the end of summer.
Just behind her is a William Garden designed 28-foot power boat, built on the West Coast in the 1990s. They have laminated in several new frames and redesigned the interior.
They have just completed a project at Atlantic Boat, where they replaced the lifelines with laminated wooden handrails on a big twin-screw cruiser.
Also in the shop they are building a Nutshell pram for a local owner.
Out in the yard they are working on an 8-metre, which has had her keel dropped and they are altering it so that she conforms to the 8-metre rule. They have removed about 2,500-pounds of lead and need to remove another 1,000 pounds so she is within the rule. They have also installed an electric power plant. They hope to have her in the water soon so they can see just how fast she is with the modifications and whether they need to make any other changes.
In the back shop is Brion’s boat, which is having her bottom redone. She is cold moulded and he has removed the bottom paint on one side and is getting ready to do the other side. She will not be going over until the other projects in the yard are finished. He is hoping at least by October.
Looking for a S-boat? There are three at the yard, but they need to be rebuilt.
Gamage’s Shipyard, South Bristol
The big push before the 4th of July weekend was getting everyone over that want to be in the water and that was going well. John Vinal, one of the owners of the yard, said that those interested in storage needs to call as soon as possible as they are filling up quickly for the up coming season.
The big project in the main shop was finishing off a Mitchell Cove 32 hull as a sportfisherman for a local customer. They have modified the deck and house, installed the power, an Yanmar 8LV and they are hoping for a late summer launch.
Also in the main shop is a Wayne Beal cruiser that received new system upgrades, reconfigured the galley, and replaced some of the carpeting.
In between they are taking care of the areas fishing boats as needed, since this is their livelihood. Fortunately, so far these have been minor repairs.
One of the cruise boats for the local islands was in for her regular maintenance, but they also had to make repairs to her stern post and rudder port. Fortunately, this was not a big project.
They have had a couple of inquiries on the Holland 32 hull they have. They also got a call from another local builder asking about it.
SEA FLOWER, which is a cold moulded sailboat built in Denmark, suffered major flooding. This means a complete re-wire and replace the heating and refrigeration systems.
Interestingly, they have had a number of boats shipped up from southern yards to have work done. Some of the people summer or vacation in the area and plan to return every summer.
Holland Boat Shop, Belfast
In the main shop they have a 32, a 38 and two 14s under construction.
The 32 is being finished out as a day-yacht with a V-berth and head. She is powered with a 550-hp Cummins, which should push her along at over 40 knots. She is scheduled to go over the end of summer.
The 38 is being finished out a full-fledged yacht, powered with a 550-hp Cummins, for a customer from San Diego. The interior is not fully decided upon yet, but V-berth, head with maybe a shower and a full galley is the general thought at this time. The engine may fit under the platform if they add a little height to the deck and house top. This is going to be a day boat, but just in case the owner wants some comfort if they have to stay on board once in awhile. The back of the shelter will be open. The owner is originally from New Hampshire and that is why he is going with a lobster boat style yacht. He may opt to have her taken to Lake Winnipesaukee initially and then shipped to San Diego.
One of the 14s is interesting as she will be powered with an electric outboard. There are many freshwater places south of us that this has become a very popular idea and it will be interesting to see just how this works out.
As for the 20, they have three sold and Glenn has just hired someone to help in fairing the hull and get ready to take a mould off the plug.
They have three more 32s on order along with a number of 14s. Glenn said that right now he is booked out until sometime next year so long as there are no cancellations.
The Landing School, Arundel
The Landing School is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the school community. Phyllis Wentworth of Cape Porpoise, ME as Director of Education and Jacob Greiner of Queensbury, NY as Wooden Boat Building Instructor.
“We are very excited to welcome Phyllis and Jake to The Landing School team. Each brings exceptional experience and capabilities to their respective roles and responsibilities. Jake brings over a decade of experience in high quality boatbuilding craftsmanship and is an exceptional successor to Rick Barkhuff who’s is retiring this year after more than 40 years’ association with the school. Phyllis brings an entire career of experience in education, most of which has been at the post-secondary level, and is perfectly suited to lead our curriculum planning and development.” noted Sean Fawcett, Landing School president.
Phyllis Wentworth – Director of Education
As the new Director of Education, Phyllis will be responsible for managing the school’s instructional programs and overall educational experience, including curriculum development, faculty development and performance as well as steering the school through re-accreditation. Working alongside the president, Sean Fawcett, Phyllis will also assist in the admissions process to accept students and evaluate transcripts.
Phyllis has over two decades of experience in higher education as a faculty member at Quincy College, Bristol Community College, and, most recently, Wentworth Institute of Technology. As a native of the area, she has known about The Landing School since she was a child, and is so proud to join the staff.
Jacob Greiner – Wooden Boat Building Instructor
Jacob joins The Landing School to lead the Wooden Boat Building program teaching modern and traditional boat construction techniques. Jacob’s focus will be teaching students how to work on and complete projects on schedule with a high level of quality. Projects for the program vary from year to year but always includes a boat build that starts with lofting and ends with sea trials. Jacob comes from over 12 years of wooden boat building experience including museum-quality restorations…many of which have been featured in publications like WoodenBoat Magazine, Maine Boats, Home & Harbors, and Soundings.
Jake is also an alumnus of The Landing School Wooden Boat Building program (2010) and the Yacht Design program (2011). We are delighted to have Jacob back at The Landing School!
Lyman-Morse, Thomaston
With friends, family, and our Thomaston and Camden-based crews in attendance, Lyman-Morse celebrated the launch of SHADOW, Hull 1 of the new Hood 35 LM series. The Hood 35 LM follows the recent successful collaboration between Lyman-Morse and C.W. Hood Design on the Hood 57 LM. Similar to the 57′, this stunning cold-molded pocket-yacht defines a niche all its own, encompassing advanced construction technology, world-renowned craftsmanship, and superior performance. Hull No. 1 SHADOW is designed as a hardtop express and equipped with some of the most advanced marine technology available today.
SHADOW’s tech-savvy owner sought to outfit the vessel with the latest marine technology. She is one of the first dayboat-sized vessels to utilize Raymarine’s new Digital Switching System, YachtSense. The Raymarine vessel control system offers digital switching, which replaces traditional mechanical switches and circuit breakers with digitally controlled power distribution modules, significantly reducing the size and length of cabling required to distribute power throughout the boat. Hull No. 1 features twin 440-hp Yanmar 6LY440s coupled to a pair of Hamilton Waterjet HJX29s. This is the first pleasure vessel in the USA to be equipped with these brand new jets. More efficient, more powerful, and with military grade controls, SHADOW reaches speeds of 40+ knots. Shadow is also the first pleasure vessel to be equipped for autonomous running with the state-of-the-art Sea Machines system. Lyman-Morse is working closely with the owner and Sea Machines to have this boat confidently guiding herself and her passengers in the near future.
An advanced technology package was not the owner’s only request. He wanted a vessel that offered the traditional aesthetics and comfort of a wooden hull combined with classic Downeast lines. Below, the beauty of a cold-molded yacht is revealed. The interior features the classic exposed Douglas fir planking of her cold-molded hull. The walnut carpentry, sleek black finishes, and charcoal upholstery lend a contemporary — yet exquisitely refined and timeless — finish to the interior. Customized helm seats feature carbon fiber and walnut details. A specially designed detail, the V-berth easily converts from a settee to a bed with the slide of a hidden walnut insert.
“Between C. W. Hood and Lyman-Morse, this really was the dream team. I have worked with Chris Hood in the past on my last boat, so when I found out they were working with Lyman-Morse, I couldn’t have been happier. Lyman-Morse’s reputation precedes itself in building custom yachts and so does their ability to incorporate state of the art technology, so this really was the perfect boat builder to take on this project” (owner of SHADOW)
As part of the series approach, C.W. Hood has incorporated a flybridge version into Hull 2 currently under construction and scheduled for a 2023 completion. Additional information on the Flybridge model will be announced as construction progresses. A soft-top model is also offered for yachtsmen looking for more of a dayboat option. The Hood 35 LM follows the builder’s strategy of employing advanced technology, innovative construction methods, and inspired design techniques to create a semi-custom platform. This reduces build time and increases production efficiencies compared to a one-off offering. Yet, demonstrated by the high customization of the first two hulls, Lyman-Morse will incorporate its world-renowned customization and solution-based approach to deliver exactly what each owner wishes.
Lyman-Morse has been busy with several other exciting projects in addition to the Hood 35 LM. We recently launched Hull #2 of the LM46 performance cruiser series which will be competing in this year’s Newport to Bermuda Race at the end of this week. We are also nearing completion on our Kendall Square Canopy project which will be delivered to Cambridge, MA at the end of the summer. The 160’ x 32’ canopy structure will cover the entrances to the MBTA station and serve as one of the showpieces for the redevelopment project. Lastly, we will be launching the Navier 27 this summer for testing. This carbon 27’ all electric, high performance, foiling powerboat will offer a range of 75 nautical miles while comfortably flying over waves up to 4’ in height and introduces intelligent autonomy that goes far beyond autopilot. The Navier 27 will be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this October.
