Company

At Great Harbor Boatworks, we treat every boat like it’s our own.

The crew at Great Harbor Boatworks has the unique combination of traditional boat design and building experience coupled with the best that cutting edge technology has to offer. The result? Innovative boat design and building in the classic styles – customized to fit your particular needs and dreams.

Great Harbor is also a full-service maintenance and storage yard, specializing in the care of wooden boats. Our wooden boat restoration capabilities include everything from gutting the interior and starting all over again, to repairing electrical systems, or salvaging the exterior with an artist's quality custom paint job.

Great Harbor Boatworks is a family-run, values-driven shop that strives to give each and every boat and owner outstanding service, every time. Call us today at 207.244.3795 to make your wooden boat dream a reality.

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Testimonial - A Friendship sloop is a work of art

Joe Neilson

When Albie Neilson decided that a Friendship sloop was his choice of sailboat, he looked around for someone with experience in wooden boat design and building. He knew Ralph Stanley had a reputation for building wooden lobster boats so Albie went to talk with Ralph. He convinced Ralph to take on the project. In 1962 when Hieronymous was launched, she was the first wooden Friendship sloop to come out of Ralph W. Stanley Inc.

Designing, building and maintaining Hieronymous, a Friendship-style sloop, now in its second generation of ownership.

Hieronymous has been part of Joe Neilson's life for almost as long as he can remember. As the second generation in his family to sail her, he has great appreciation for the aesthetic beauty of a wooden boat. "Sailing Hieronymous is incredible. I feel like I'm sailing a piece of artwork."

Over the years, the Stanleys have stayed close to Hieronymous, and have managed the sloop's maintenance and several updates and repairs. At one point, modifications were made to the stern and transom. Neilson recognizes that maintaining a boat at this high level of quality is demanding but otherwise there are no headaches.

In describing the work of Great Harbor Boatworks, Neilson focused on the craftsmanship and attention to detail. "Richard has been very careful about the maintenance. Before he does anything, he carefully researches the options. The Stanleys know what they are doing. They put their heart and soul into everything they do for Hieronymous and it shows."