The 62nd annual Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days will take place on Sunday, June 23 through Saturday, June 29. This year we will celebrate our local boatbuilders and shipwrights. Please visit boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org for the full schedule of events.

I’ve had an appreciation for boats and the sea from a young age. I grew up lobstering on Southport.

In high school, I was an Ocean Classroom semester student on the schooner Harvey Gamage. I knew I wanted to continue working on the water. Afterwards, Nat Wilson took me on as a work study student at his sail loft in East Boothbay. Nat taught me everything I know. He also pushed me to continue sailing on vessels around the globe.

This is my 10th year at the sail loft, although it doesn’t feel like it. I have made sails for everything from racing yachts to 17th century replica ships. I enjoy the challenge of building different kinds of sails by hand. The skills I’ve learned at the sail loft have made me a better sailor. This has really helped on the ships I have worked on.

Nat, of course, has had the biggest influence on my career. I’ve also learned a lot from all the captains I sailed under over the years. Captain Sam Sikkema has been a great mentor and friend to me. We’ve built a number of sails together in the last few years.

My favorite projects are for historical vessels. It allows me to preserve the high standards of traditional sailmaking. Those standards have almost been lost. This year’s projects include jibs for the Corwith Cramer, sloop Clearwater, and the schooner Adventure. Currently, I’m making a new topgallant sail for the brigantine Fritha.

My most notable project was building an entire suit of sails for the schooner Ernestina-Morrissey which was recently restored at Bristol Marine. This was my first restoration project. I was building the sails as the schooner was still being rebuilt. It was challenging because it was so big. The mainsail filled the YMCA gym! In total, I made 10 sails for her - all by hand. Working with the late shipwright David Short on the project was an honor. He helped make sure all the sails fit the ship perfectly. We both had high standards. I really enjoyed the work.

Last summer, Nat retired and I started my own sailmaking business out of his sail loft. I really enjoy seeing my sails being used. I always notice things in a sail that I like or might do differently. You are never done learning. I look forward to making sails for new and familiar boats. I'm proud to help preserve Maine’s maritime heritage