Charleen Durgin, (Justina’s Right Arm); Joanna Sprague, (Director of the Show and co-owner of Portland Yacht Services) and Justina Marcisso, (Bow Wave) and Former Munjoy Hill Resident, at Portland Yacht Services. They Were Getting Ready for the Upcoming Show This Weekend, This Afternoon.

The British Lyon’s Whelp 1628 Built as a War Ship for European Navy Fleets.

This Beautiful 48 ft. Wooden Cutter, Prowess,  is for Sale at the Show.  Eighty percent of the Boats at the Show are for Sale.  The Owner Lives Out-of-State and will not be Present at the Show.

Lion’s Whelp, a 68 Ft. Alden Schooner will be at the Show. Visitors Will be able to go Aboard This One-of- a-Kind Yacht.

“Good weather is expected this weekend,” said Joanna Sprague, Director of Maine Boat Builders Show and co-owner of Portland Yacht Services this afternoon.  So she is expecting a big turnout for the 33rd boat show.  “It’s exciting to return to the Portland waterfront after a hiatus from it,” she said today.

The Show starts on Friday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, July 25, 2021. It is located at 100 West Commercial Street, just beyond the EIMSKIP facility. Show hours are 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Sunday.  Admission is $15.00.  Children under 12 accompanied by an adult may attend free.

The 33rd Maine Boatbuilders Show will feature almost 45 boats docked in the water at the yard. Although 80% of the boats are for sale, the largest of the boats is not for sale.  That’s the 68 ft. Lion’s Whelp, an Alden Schooner.  She was built at Portland Yacht Services when it was located at 58 Fore Street, at the other end of Commercial Street, Portland.

That almost ten acres of waterfront property is currently under redevelopment and is the site of the Sunlife headquarters and the popular Marina Bar, next to Fore Points Marina.

Lyon’s Whelp is the Sprague family yacht, named for the ship that brought the Sprague family over from England in the 1600s to America.   It was a historical British ship built for several European navies as part of their war fleet.  It was known for its speed and its maneuverability.  Visitors will be able to go aboard this one-of-a kind yacht that is electronically equipped for off shore sailing.  In fact, Sprague has sailed her recently to Newfoundland.  At one of the many seminars at the Show, he will talk about that experience.  (See below right photo)

There will be a wide variety of boats at the Show – mostly power boats. They range from a Ranger Tug Boat from Moose Landing to handmade canoes according to Sprague.  Something for every taste and interest.

One yacht that is for sale is a 48 ft., wooden Eldridge-McInnes cutter built 35 years ago.  She was built by Phineas Sprague, Jr., co-owner of Portland Yacht Services at his Cape Elizabeth home before completing it at 58 Fore Street. Its owner is a senior citizen ready but reluctant to retire from a wonderful life of sailing aboard his cutter.

Eighty vendors in buildings B and E are as varied as are the boats in the water.  Marinas like Journey’s End Marina and boat builders like Portland Pudgy and Richard Stanley Custom Boats will be vendors at the show.  Nautical publications, marine supply companies like Hamilton Marine, Mudd Knives and the Hurricane Island Center for Science will be among the vendors sure to capture your interest.

In the past the Maine Boatbuilders Show was held in March at 58 Fore Street.  This year the pandemic prevented that from happening, so this summer show is a first.  Whether or not the Show will be able to be held in the summer next year is an unknown.  The yard happened to have two buildings empty in which to place the eighty (80) vendors at the Show.  But whether or not the two buildings will be available in the summer is an unknown at this time.

The Tap Truck will be on site providing Fore River Beer in the Food Area. The Top Dog cart  will also be located in the Food Area. Picnic tables have been set up for the convenience of attendees.

Parking is free and on site.  A special section closest  to the main building has been reserved for handicapped attendees.

For more background information on this show, please go to post herein dated July 9, 2021.