Apprenticeshop Summer Boat Launch

Rockland, Maine - On Friday, June 22, at 2:00 pm, The Apprenticeshop invites the public to gather on the pier (643 Main Street, Rockland) as six traditionally-built wooden boats take their maiden voyage.  This annual June launch marks graduation day for four of the apprentices enrolled in the school’s two-year wooden boatbuilding program, and culminates the work of the last six months for all students.

Among the projects to be splashed into Rockland Harbor is Lyric, an Olympic 5.5 Meter.  Originally donated to the school a decade ago, Lyric underwent a major restoration this winter. The school reintroduces the 31’ sloop as its flagship and has plans to race her in several classic wooden boat races this summer. The restoration was funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Also launching is the Perkins Island Lighthouse tender, a replication of a 15’ Oliver Lyman rowing/sailing boat originally built in 1907 and kept in the collection at the Maine Maritime Museum since 1971. This project is a collaboration between The Apprenticeshop and Maine Maritime Museum in celebration of their concurrent (40th/50th respectively) anniversaries. Students, staff and volunteers of both organizations contributed time and craftsmanship to its construction, and the boat is to be raffled off this summer.

Three Susan skiffs, the standard first project for all first-year and intensive students, will launch as well as a 10’ Herreshoff Columbia dinghy. Launch occurs rain or shine.