Boatbuilder, Artisan Boatworks

A Maine native, Alec Brainerd began his boating career painting bottoms at Seal Cove Boatyard in Harborside, Maine, varnishing oars at Shaw & Tenney in Orono, and crewing aboard the 112’ Schooner Roseway.

Throughout the 1990’s Alec crewed on many yacht deliveries between New England and the West Indies, spent two years aboard the 94’ William Fife ketch Sumurun racing and chartering in New England and the Mediterranean, and sailed aboard the 82’ cold-molded yawl Zanna through the South Pacific, to New Zealand. In Auckland he worked on the refit of a 100’ wooden ketch, Aile Blanche, built by Camper and Nicholson in 1939.

In 2000 Alec returned to Maine to replace the deck on the 83’ Macintosh schooner Appledore III, and remained aboard as captain for three years. He then worked for Taylor Allen and John England at Rockport Marine building the W-76 cold-molded racing yacht White Wings designed by Joel White, and the 76’ topsail schooner Lynx, a traditional replica of an 1812 privateer.

Following five years with Rockport Marine, Alec helped Nigel (Twig) Bower build the 53’ John Alden schooner Heron, and Dave Corcoran of Bull House Boatworks build a 26’ Chuck Paine daysailer. In 2002 Alec founded Artisan Boatworks, and a purpose-built shop was constructed on Main Street in Rockport. Since then the business has grown steadily—building, restoring, and maintaining wooden boats.

Alec lives in Rockport with his wife, Erin, and two young daughters.