Boat Building near Bar Harbor, Maine

[John Timberlake]

My wife and I plan to go to Bar Harbor, Maine this summer for vacation. Plan to do a lot of hiking in Acadia National Park and visit with my wife's childhood friend who works at a wooden boat company near there.

Does anyone know of boat building displays, shops, etc. that would be worth visiting while we are in the area?

[lowell holmes]

Try the museum at Bath Maine. http://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/

:-)

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is great.

[Gary Breckenridge]

If you are driving through Conn. stop at Mystic Seaport.

[Dewey Torres]

Once you get there sit down at one of the main street pubs and buy one of the lobstermen a drink. They will point you in the right direction. I was just there last year. Great little town. The food is phenominal!

Dewey

[John Timberlake]

Try the museum at Bath Maine. http://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/

:-)

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is great.

Thanks. We are probably going to Salem. Last year we went to Mystic Seaport and liked it. We were there on a Tuesday and much of the shops were not staffed.

[Lawrence Smith]

Hi John,

You could try Hinckley Yachts, they are located in South West Harbor which is adjacent to Acadia National Park. Also, pay a visit to the Wooden Boat School located in Brooklin which is fairly close to Blue Hill. That is a place to see for a novice boat builder. Check out their courses and try to sign up for one next year. It is worth the drive. I went to the school a few years ago and it was the best two weeks of learning how to build a boat that you could possibly have.There are numerous boat builders in the Brooklin area as well. Over in the Camden area you have Rockport Marine which is very interesting. I guess what I am trying to say is there are boat builders all over Maine.

Have Fun

[Tim Sgrazzutti]

I second the plug for the maritime museum in Bath. If you're that far south, try to get to the lobster shack on twin lights road, at cape elizabeth. Another great place to eat is of gritty mcduff's brewpub outside of portland, if you're in the area.

I need to get back to all of those places soon............

[Greg Cuetara]

...You could try Hinckley Yachts, they are located in South West Harbor...

I would love to go up to the Hinckley yard...and I am only a few hours from there. Take pictures and let us know where you end up.

[John Timberlake]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I will let you know where we end up and gets some picture to share.

[Jim Creech]

As for boatbuilding,You can't go wrong in Maine!

[Nick Clayton]

These are all relatively close

http://www.ellisboat.com
http://www.thewoodenboatschool.com
http://www.midcoast.com
http://www.cannellclassicboats.com
http://www.atlanticchallenge.com

Don't forget to visit Hull's Cove (link below)
http://www.jonesport-wood.com

[Lawrence Smith]

One very well known builder that I neglected to mention in my previous message is Walter Simmons located in Lincolnville Beach. He specializes in smaller wooden boats that are have been commonly used throughout the history of Maine. He sells plans for them and on some models he has the lofting available. He also has the patience of a saint when it comes to helping you. I've built two of his boats and throughly enjoyed each one. Take a look at his website. Just google "duck trap woodworking" and then click on "boats". He has a whole variety of them. Also Lincolnville Beach is not that far from Bar Harbor.

Good Luck

[Nick Clayton]

Oh if you are in Lincolnville you have to visit Jim Brown. They have beautiful furniture are great to talk with and when you see the shop it is built in you may quickly rethink the "I need more room to build that" theory that so many of us have.
http://www.windsorchair.com

[Carl Eyman]

I was on one of those Inn to Inn bicycle tours a few years ago and rode by Wooden Boat School in the Penobscot Bay area. Turned in and spent an hour or so just poking around. Lots of fun and no one chased me off. Brooklyn ME is the town.

[John Timberlake]

Looks like I have even more options. Thanks for all the great suggestions.