John England
Lucky John England. The former master shipwright at Rockport Marine, in Rockport, Maine, England has probably never worked on an ugly boat. The Maryland native saw his path at a young age and attended North Carolina State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in wood science and technology. After graduation, England worked in the furniture business, managing factories for about 5 years.
In 1976 he began his career as a boatbuilder at Lee’s Boat Shop in Rockland, Maine. His first build was the Bruce King-designed Whitehawk. England moved between Maine, North Carolina and Virginia for several decades, building boats and teaching boatbuilding. From 1996 to 2017, he was at Rockport Marine, where he was project manager for the restoration of Bolero (the legendary Sparkman & Stephens racing yawl) and led the construction of Godspeed (a replica of one of a three-boat flotilla that came from England to America in 1607), Louise (a Buzzards Bay 25), Cadenza (a Rozinante), the W-class yachts and Dream (a 36-foot lobster yacht), among others. When he is not building boats, England enjoys delivering them and has also participated in classicyacht regattas around the world.
First memory of being on a boat: In 1952 my dad had a Chapelle-designed skipjack built in Shadyside, Maryland. Exciting delivery to Breezy Point, Maryland. Many great sailing, fishing and crabbing memories followed.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Will Biodiesel Ever Work For Boaters?
San Francisco powers its Red & White sightseeing fleet with biodiesel. Seattle’s King County Water Taxi uses biodiesel to move people across Puget Sound.
Jess Wurzbacher
Jess Wurzbacher holds a master’s degree in tropical coastal management from Newcastle University (U.K.) and a 200-ton Master license. She sailed all over the world as chief scientist and program manager for Seamester and is a PADI scuba instructor with more than 1,000 research and training dives to her credit.
3 Takes On Classic Maine Style
The looks may be classic, but many craftsmen in Maine are giving their Down East builds something extra nowadays, whether working in wood or fiberglass.
Lady Luck
An epic voyage immortalized Felicity Ann and her intrepid skipper. Now this pint-sized yacht is getting another lease on life.
Superlative St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida, is one of my favorite cruising destinations. (And I’ve been to quite a few.) It’s pretty, historic, has a timeless ambience and celebrates with festivals year-round. And it has beaches and golf.
The Great Ship WaverTree Returns
A ship saved by a city, a museum saved by a ship
Coronet Around Cape Horn, 1888
Cape Horn, looming in the background of this dramatic work by Russ Kramer, is one of the most dangerous places on Earth to sail. In 1888, without electronic navigation equipment or radio communications, it was even more so.
His Bark And His Bite Were Equally Friendly
What is the world coming to? Up is down. Wrong is right.
Doug Zurn
A native of the Great Lakes region, Doug Zurn grew up sailing and boating.
Go Anywhere, Do Everything
Today’s trawlers — and other seafaring boats with passagemaking qualities in their DNA — provide comfort, efficiency and seaworthiness
