Focused specifically on restored and refitted vessels, the Concours d’Epifanes was created to showcase the talents of New England’s extensive boatbuilding and boatyard community. “How well a boat was painted or varnished was important to us, of course,” said Doug Theobalds, head of Epifanes’s North American distributor’s network. “But our judging took in the whole boat—the craftsmanship, joinery, systems, materials, and style.”
The event was also designed to give the general public a better sense of the great possibilities that exist in the field of renovating beloved older designs. Classic automobile and boat devotees are familiar with the concours d’elegance concept, which dates back to 17th century France when the nobility would parade their ornate, horse-drawn coaches through Paris’s parks. The term is French for “competition of elegance.”
“Best In Show” top honors went to the 82-foot schooner Ladona, built in Boothbay Harbor in 1922. Known for years as the Nathaniel Bowditch, the schooner rejoined the Maine Windjammer Association’s fleet in the spring after a dramatic and total refit, orchestrated by owners Captain Noah and Jane Barnes.
“Best Small Craft” went to the Lisa Ellen, the painstakingly restored and
systems-upgraded 1961 24-foot Lyman “Sleeper” exhibited by Gary Favreau from Bamforth Marine in Brunswick, Maine.
“Best Sailboat” honors graced the 44-foot, cold-molded cutter Gusto, designed by Chuck Paine, built in Belfast by French & Webb in 2002, and maintained by Front Street Shipyard.
“Best Motorboat” went to Yachting Solutions of Rockport for its fully restored 1971, 58-foot Trumpy motoryacht Somerset. The stem-to-stern restoration included a new bottom, keel frames and floors, rebuilt engines, new generators and systems, an entirely new interior, and new paint.
“Best In Glass” was awarded to Ratty’s Right, a 1972 Aquasport 222 restored by Gordon Reed, former president and yard manager at Robinhood Marine in Georgetown, Maine, featuring all-new gelcoat, painted interior, electronics, and power.
The MBH&H Show also featured the second annual gathering of Boston Whalers, displayed by their owners. Prizes were awarded in several categories. The coveted “Best in Pod” award for overall Whaler excellence went to a 1963 Nauset from Camden owned by Chris Beebe and restored by Custom Coatings. The “Best Loved” award went to a 13' 1983 Super Sport owned by Woody Hotchkiss of Laconia, New Hampshire, while an award for “Most Unusual Whaler” went to a bright red, completely original 1989 Mischief, displayed by David Dumont of Sidney. The “Best Restored Whaler” was a 1967 13' Sport owned by Jim Daly of Groton, Massachusetts, and restored by Coastal Boatworks. “Best Whaler from Away” went to a boat from Florida.
For more photos from the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show, visit www.maineboats.com/boatshow.
