About Rockport Marine

Rockport Marine Inc. was founded in 1962 by Luke Allen. Tucked at the head of the harbor on the west side of Penobscot Bay in Rockport, Maine, the shop opened its doors as a storage and repair facility for wooden boats. Upstairs from the shop was the Sail Loft Restaurant, run by Luke's wife Norma. From the restaurant, patrons could watch the comings and goings in the boatyard and the antics of the famous seal, Andre.

Since that time, Rockport Marine has grown in reputation to become one of the industry's premier wooden boat yards. Specializing in new construction, restoration, and design work, RMI has built a wide variety of boats, from traditional plank-on-frame to modern wood-composite vessels. Rockport Marine offers design services, storage facilities, and has an on-site metal fabrication shop, and 55-ton boat hoist.

The Crew

Taylor Allen

Owner

Taylor first began building boats as a teenager at Rockport Marine when the yard still belonged to his father, Luke Allen. After attending Amherst College in Massachussetts, Taylor returned to Maine and eventually was named the president of Rockport Marine in 1980. Taylor has four children and is married to writer and editor Martha White, daughter of boatbuilder Joel White.

John England

Lead Yacht Builder

Rockport Marine's lead yacht builder, John England, has been building boats for most of his life. Recently he was the project manager for the restoration of BOLERO, a famous S&S yacht; he also lead the construction of GODSPEED, LOUISE, CADENZA, the W-class yachts, and DREAM, among others. When he is not building boats, John enjoys racing them; he has participated in many classic boat regattas around the world. He originally hails from Virginia.

Maria Simpson

Yard Manager

Maria grew up in Maine and spent her summers sailing with her family on Penobscot Bay. She attended McGill University in Montreal and worked on tallships for several years before arriving at Rockport Marine. Maria coordinates ongoing projects in the yard and is the primary contact person for our storage and transient customers.

Tom Kiley

Promotions and Head Rigger

After 15 years as a yacht broker, Tom brought his extensive knowledge about wooden yachts to Rockport Marine. In addition to heading up the rigging department, Tom travels to various events and shows to promote Rockport Marine. He is also on hand to answer any questions an owner might have about their boat. When he is not putting boats together at Rockport Marine, Tom is cruising and racing the Nielsen-designed SNOW STAR with his family.

Brendan Riordan

Designer

Rockport Marine began offering yacht design services in 2003 when Brendan Riordan joined the crew. He brings a trained eye, extensive construction experience and years of one-design racing and cruising to the drafting table. He completed his formal education at Georgetown University, acquired boatbuilding experience in Maine and elsewhere, and received design training in Tasmania, Australia. When he’s not at the computer or drafting table you can find Brendan sailing with his wife, Heather, and their two children, Quinn and Laura.

Sam Chamberlin

Designer

Sam Chamberlin grew up exploring the islands of Penobscot Bay from his family home on Isle au Haut. These early experiences led to a variety of jobs in Maine's traditional schooner fleet, on yachts, and commercial fishing. He studied Physics at Bates College and Yacht Design at the Landing School. Prior to joining the design staff at Rockport Marine, he worked as a boatbuilder and designer for Brooklin, Maine-based builder Brion Rieff.

Sam is also restoring VAIGER, a double-ended gaff cutter built in 1951 in Scalloway, Shetland.