June News from Rockport Marine

With the summer boating season officially begun, the team at Rockport Marine is working overtime to get boats ready for the water. The Travelift is running at a steady pace rain or shine, and our customers are going on shakedown cruises daily.

Sometimes during these busy times, we forget to take stock of the impact we've had on our customers and the boating community throughout our decades here in Rockport. And then we're reminded in some small way of what a wonderful job we really have here building beautiful boats. One of our customers sent us this photo a couple weeks ago, taken in Yorktown, Virginia.

Coincidentally, GODSPEED, LYNX and SPIRIT OF BERMUDA all came upon one another at the very same dock. Three Rockport Marine yachts holding court together in a single harbor.

That's a sight to spur on our tired team. 

Bruce Johnson Will Represent Rockport Marine

Rockport Marine and two fellow independent yacht yards in mid-coast Maine are appointing Bruce Johnson, formerly of Sparkman & Stephens, as their business development executive.Brooklin Boat Yard, Front Street Shipyard and Rockport Marine reached an agreement to employ Johnson to represent each yard independently in seeking new construction projects. Johnson will be responsible for attracting and negotiating new national and international builds and refits to Maine, and matching them with the yards based on scope.

Johnson is leaving his most recent post as president of Sparkman & Stephens, the venerable 82-year old yacht design and brokerage firm where he has worked as chief designer for the past 12 years and president for the past three. His relationship with S&S spans 24 years, first as designer and then as vice president before assuming his role as chief designer. He is considered one of the foremost experts in the complete S&S design collection from 1929 to 2012.

Lights, Camera, ADVENTURESS 

We're making a star out of our current restoration project, and we'll be hitting the small screen soon. Rockport Marine is working with Off Center Harbor and Alison Langley to develop a series of short films about the restoration of the Fife ADVENTURESS. 

ADVENTURESS launches in July, but we've been taking a lot of behind-the-scenes footage during the final phase of her restoration over the past few months. Not only do we hope to show the remarkable craftsmanship of our builders here at Rockport, but we'll also show you some of the personalities who have contributed to her makeover. From interviews with the design and build team to shots of the finishing touches, we'll show the passion and care that has gone into ADVENTURESS during her stay at Rockport Marine. 

We've going to keep the cameras rolling throughout her launch next month, so stay tuned for the films' premieres.

GYRE in her Racing Retirement 

We recently launched GYRE, a former Bermuda Race competitor designed by prominent Swedish designer Einar Ohlson. She was intended to perform well offshore in the long-distance race - which she did following her first launch. Times have changed for GYRE, however, and her new owner thinks it's time for her to retire from the racing circuit and spend her days relaxing as a daysailer. 

Our design team re-imagined GYRE as a more comfortable, accommodating boat for lazy days swimming and sailing. They expanded her cockpit and simplified her systems. With a new deck and some changes in the running rigging, GYRE was ready to enjoy her retirement with a new family.

Rockport Marine Leads Fife Symposium

Rockport Marine will be chairing a lively discussion about the early 20th-century
designs of William Fife III. The symposium will be held August 1 at Maine Maritime Academy in collaboration with Castine Yacht Club.

ADVENTURESS Will be at the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show

Rockport Marine will be at the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show this summer in Rockland, Maine, August 10-12. She'll be open for tours, so please come by and see the amazing craftsmanship on this Fife restoration.