Exploring the Coast of Maine since 1947

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ALAMAR is a 45' traditional sailing schooner built in 1947 by the Machiasport Boat Shop in Maine. She was never lofted.  Instead, the builders worked from a carved half-model designed by Nathaniel French and Dan Stuart for Alamoosook Island Camp (“AIC”), located 15 miles north of Castine on an island in Alamoosook Lake.  

ALAMAR was designed with young campers  in mind and this layout remains the same today. When the camp closed in the late 1960's, Lew Bigelow and Bob Richardson purchased the vessel and undertook needed repairs (which most of the purchase price was used to cover), along with the requirement they continue to maintain and keep the ship true to her original design and purpose.  This included chartering her to families and friends who enjoyed sailing on an old-fashion schooner.   

In the time since, ALAMAR has undergone major rebuilds and repairs – primarily at Kenny Eaton's Boat Yard in Castine (1987-2000), which served as her home port and storage site over the winter.  

In 2011, Lew and Bob passed responsibility for ALAMAR’s care to the Chase family. The Chases were involved with AIC and ALAMAR during her camp years, and never lost their appreciation for her charms.  This fondness also found its way to the next generation.  Beginning in 1990, Nigel Chase started taking camper-age groups of family and friends on ALAMAR adventures.  This introduced many young Chase family members to ALAMAR and instilled in them a love of traditional wooden boats.

With this history in mind, Lew asked Nigel if the Chase’s would take responsibility for ALAMAR, knowing the family would give her a good home.  In keeping with tradition, she was passed on for two dollars along with the pledge that her tradition be carried on in the years to come.  So it is, that over six decades later, she continues to be kept and used in the same manner: providing young-at-heart adventurers the chance to put to sea in a simple, sturdy, and traditional way.