For over six decades, Rockport Marine has stood as a beacon of traditional boatbuilding and meticulous restoration, nestled at the head of Rockport Harbor on Maine’s Penobscot Bay. Far more than just a boatyard, it is a living testament to the enduring art of wooden yacht construction and a guardian of maritime heritage. Renowned worldwide for its unparalleled quality, Rockport Marine continues to shape the future of classic yachting while preserving its venerable past.
The Origin Story
Rockport Marine Inc. was founded in 1962 by Luke Allen, a visionary who played a pivotal role in steering Maine's waterfront industry back towards its roots in wooden boat building. From its inception, the yard dedicated itself exclusively to the mastery of wood, understanding its inherent beauty and structural integrity. While no single "first boat" is highlighted as their inaugural build, the company immediately embarked on a path of custom wooden boat construction, laying the groundwork for its celebrated reputation.
History and Evolution
Since its founding in 1962, Rockport Marine has steadily cemented its reputation as a premier builder and restorer of wooden boats. The yard’s evolution has been characterized by an unwavering commitment to traditional techniques, seamlessly blended with a practical understanding of modern systems and design. A significant aspect of its enduring legacy is the multi-generational continuity within its ranks; Taylor Allen, son of founder Luke Allen, now serves as Vice President, having begun building boats at the yard as a teenager. Furthermore, third-generation boatbuilder Sam Temple is also a key part of the team, underscoring the deep-rooted family tradition and craftsmanship passed down through generations. In 2000, the Rockport facility itself was newly built, providing a state-of-the-art environment for their specialized work. The company's comprehensive services expanded to include yacht brokerage with the acquisition of David Jones Yacht Brokerage, further solidifying its position in the marine industry.
Design Philosophy and Identity
Rockport Marine is globally recognized as one of the finest establishments for traditional wooden boat building and restoration. Their design philosophy revolves around crafting practical, beautiful, and seaworthy vessels, whether new constructions or revitalized classics. While firmly rooted in wood, the yard also embraces modern wood composite construction for certain projects, demonstrating an adaptability within their specialized focus.
The yard’s distinction is also marked by its collaborations with an impressive roster of celebrated naval architects and designers. These partnerships bring a rich diversity of design prowess to their projects, including:
- Their own in-house design office, responsible for vessels like the classic New England day boat Rembrandt.
- Bob Stephens, known for the W. 46 racing yachts, including Nashua, Equus, Arion, and Zebra.
- The late Joel White, who designed the W-Class 76-foot racing yacht White Wings.
- Melbourne Smith, whose designs include the 76-foot topsail schooner Lynx and the 32-foot pulling boat Imi Loa.
- N.G. Herreshoff, whose iconic designs, such as the 65-foot schooner Mary Rose and the Buzzards Bay 25 Louise, have been entrusted to Rockport Marine for care and restoration.
- Philip Rhodes, the designer behind the 1932 centerboard yawl Ayesha.
- Fontaine Design Group, for vessels like the cruising yacht Arabesque.
- Tripp Design NA, collaborating on projects like the wood composite yacht Mist.
- Langan Design Partners, providing naval architecture for significant new builds such as the 95-foot sailing yacht Project Ouzel.
- Mark Whiteley Design, handling the interior design for Project Ouzel.
- William Baker, whose design was replicated for the 16th-century trading vessel Adventure.
- The yard also draws inspiration from historical designs, such as the 1950s lobster yachts by Newbert and Wallace, which influenced their R37 dayboat.
This extensive list of collaborations, alongside their in-house capabilities, highlights Rockport Marine’s commitment to design excellence and its reputation as a shipyard capable of executing complex and historically significant projects.
Iconic Models and Legacy
Rockport Marine's legacy is built on a diverse portfolio encompassing both custom new builds and the meticulous restoration of some of the world's most cherished wooden yachts. They are revered for their ability to bring historical vessels back to life while ensuring they meet contemporary standards of performance and comfort.
Among their most significant restoration projects are:
- Concordia Yawls: Out of the 103 Concordia Yawls built between 1938 and 1966, Rockport Marine is trusted with the annual care of approximately a dozen of these iconic boats, showcasing their expertise in maintaining these revered classics.
- Trade Wind: An Alden motorsailer originally built in 1938 for ocean cruising, which underwent a comprehensive restoration at the yard in 2011.
- Latifa: Received a full systems refit, interior joinery, cosmetics upgrade, and rig inspection.
- Bolero: A superb ocean racer, known on both sides of the Atlantic, was launched at Rockport Marine after extensive work.
- Adventuress: A yacht designed and built by Fife and Son in 1924, meticulously restored by the yard.
- Mary Rose: The 65-foot N.G. Herreshoff schooner (1926) was repaired at Rockport Marine following hull damage from a gale.
- Penates: A 43-foot commuter-style power boat, fully restored in 2003.
- Spirit of Bermuda: A large-scale project involving the 112-foot, three-masted schooner based on traditional Bermudian designs.
- Godspeed: A significant replica of one of the three boats that sailed from England to America in 1607, launched in 2006.
Their new construction portfolio demonstrates their capability in crafting bespoke vessels across various styles and purposes:
- W. 46 Racing Yachts: Including Nashua, Equus, Arion, and Zebra, these one-design racing sloops, designed by Bob Stephens, are competitive in the Spirit of Tradition class and showcase Rockport Marine’s prowess in performance-oriented builds.
- R37: An ideal dayboat that draws inspiration from 1950s lobster yachts, proving remarkably well-equipped for simple cruising.
- Mar Amore: A Little Wolf-38 featuring a shallow ballast keel and centerboard, designed for easy beach access.
- Rembrandt: A classic New England day boat designed by Rockport Marine's in-house office.
- Mist: A contemporary wood composite construction launched in 2021, a collaboration with Tripp Design NA.
- Project Ouzel: Currently in construction, this 95-foot sailing yacht represents a significant milestone for the yard, featuring designs by Langan Design Partners and Mark Whiteley Design.
- Islander/Eloise: A design blending Bahamian runabouts with Downeast lobster boats, built with a cold-molded wood hull and customizable configurations, with Eloise being the first hull delivered.
The Builder Today
Rockport Marine continues to thrive in its foundational role as a premier yard for the construction and restoration of wooden yachts, maintaining its strategic location in Rockport Harbor, Maine. The yard is a testament to sustained family stewardship, with Taylor Allen, son of founder Luke Allen, serving as Vice President, alongside other multi-generational craftsmen.
Today, Rockport Marine’s offerings appeal to a discerning clientele who value custom craftsmanship, classic aesthetics, and exceptional build quality, whether for new commissions or the meticulous revitalization of cherished classics. Their expertise in traditional wood construction, now complemented by modern wood composite techniques, allows them to cater to a wide range of visions. Beyond building, they provide extensive design services, general boat service, and storage, supporting a dedicated ownership experience. The nature of their custom and restoration work fosters a strong, appreciative community of owners who trust Rockport Marine with their prized vessels, ensuring that the legacy of fine wooden boatbuilding continues for generations to come.