Traditional Boats.
Exceptional Craftsmanship.
Services
T.R. Clark Boatbuilding & Restoration offers a broad range of services, with a focus on the construction and preservation of historic vessels and replicas
New Construction
Whether you have a fully developed vision or are just beginning to explore the possibilities, I can help bring your project to life.
If you are considering commissioning a new vessel but are unsure which design best suits your needs, I can guide you through the selection process. Whether that means developing a custom design with a naval architect or choosing from the extensive catalog of proven designs by renowned designers and builders, I'll help you find the right balance of purpose, performance, aesthetics, and budget.
Repair & Restoration
From routine repairs to complete restorations, I approach every project with respect for a vessel's history, design, and intended use. My goal is to preserve the character and integrity of each boat while ensuring it remains structurally sound, seaworthy, and practical to maintain.
Consultation & Project Management
Over the course of my career, I have built a network of many of the finest craftspeople in Maine and beyond, including naval architects, metal fabricators, blacksmiths, sailmakers, riggers, mechanics, and marine systems specialists.
Whether your project requires a single craftsperson or a coordinated team of specialists, I can assemble and manage the right people for the job, overseeing every stage from planning through completion to ensure the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
What are
“traditional” boats?
Traditional Boats are generally vessels with design and construction techniques representing the early 20th century and before. They are often wooden boats built with hull planks fastened to wooden frames, this includes planking techniques such as carvel, lapstrake, and strip planking. They can also be made with steel or iron structural elements and rigging.
While modern adhesives, coatings, sheathings, and selective use of marine plywood have blurred the line between age-old and contemporary methods, my work is firmly rooted in long-established techniques and craftsmanship. That said, I recommend modern materials when they offer practical advantages for a vessel's intended use, longevity, or maintenance. My goal is to make a conscious effort to use as much locally sourced wood as possible, minimize environmental impact, and help carry time-honored boatbuilding practices into the future.
In addition to wooden vessel construction and restoration, I offer my services as a marine carpenter on traditionally rigged steel and iron hulled vessels, including interior joinery, laid decks, spars, rigging components, rails, and related work. I welcome projects spanning many eras and designs, though my clients are typically drawn to classic, vintage, and historic watercraft. From small dinghies and launches to large square-rigged sailing ships, I have sought broad experience in the craft of the old-time shipwright.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of restoring and repairing some of the finest classic and historic vessels in the world, including boats from renowned designers and builders such as: Nat and L. Francis Herreshoff, John Alden, William Fife, K. Aage Nielsen, William Hand, Wilbur Morse, Joel White, Concordia Company, John F. James & Sons, Newbert & Wallace, and many others.