Ballentine's

Boat Shop, Inc.

H12 in storage

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Ballentine's Boat Shop, Inc.
 
~Est. Cataumet 1974~

We are doing a monthly "Calendar Girl" feature on FaceBook with a photo album of boats maintained at Ballentine's.  Here is a preview of Miss August.

Miss August: The Stuart Knockabout

L. Francis Herreshoff designed Stuart KnockaboutI decided it would be fitting to follow the Herreshoff 12 ˝ with the Stuart Knockabout as Miss August. The H12 was called “The Boys Boat” and the Stuart (SK) could be called “The Gentleman’s (or Lady’s) Boat” as it has become quite popular amongst the H12 sailors who want to graduate to something with a little more size, speed, and excitement.
            The history of the Stuart is an interesting one. While the H12 was instantaneously prolific, with 19 initial orders, the Stuart or “Design 51” was originally only completed once, with only one sister ship with a full keel modification build shortly after. Design 51 was commissioned by Willoughby Stuart who had asked L. Francis Herreshoff to design something that was fun and easy to sail, and would be good on the rocky coast of Maine where the boat was to be kept. The long, agile, keel centerboard boat fit the bill perfectly and went to an island in Maine where she remained with the family for years. The design was isolated and not duplicated until that original boat, “Bean Mo Chroi” (BEN), was discovered by Bill Harding in a shed at a boatyard near Gloucester. Having built many of the H12s out of fiberglass (Doughdish, Inc.), he was inspired to do the same with “BEN”. From her lines he built the mold for the Stuart Knockabout and named them after the man who commissioned the design.
Design 51 had been dormant for over 50 years when the Stuart Knockabout went into production. Currently the newest to that fleet, hull #76, POLAR EXPRESS, is receiving finishing touches on her varnish, and BBS will launch her next week. Ballentine's Boat Shop now maintains 13 of these boats (and we actually own one too). Other Stuarts have gone far and wide. A couple have been outfitted and rigged to be carried aboard large yachts that cruise around the world. Others are gracing harbors in Florida, Maryland, Maine, Vermont, Mississippi, Michigan, Texas and even a lake in Montana. The new owner in Montana sums the Stuart up beautifully in an email he wrote to us:

          Pleased to report that… I launched the Knockabout at Flathead Lake on Fri May 28. Had to wear long johns and much warm gear as we did our first sail – about 27 miles North to our place near Somers Bay….– [W]hat a delight to sail this boat. Every day [we are] convinced we made the right choice for ourselves on this lake. Glad she is no smaller as we had quite the weather experience as we sailed South to the harbor and slip where we keep her. Buried the port winch in puffs as we fought up wind close hauled for the same 20 + miles and had the bilge pump active. We have sailed her about 90 miles and five days so far.
           Also glad she is no bigger. She is definitely a head turner. Even power boats come by to have a closer look and there is no peace from the sailors. Arguably the prettiest boat in our harbor w/ some competition from a Hans Christian 33T which is a whole different thing…

Click here to see Miss August's full profile on Facebook.

If you have any interest in the Stuart Knockabout, contact Amy to look at what is available in the used market.

We finished building our new work boat: The Ben Garvey Skiff

Ballentine's built Garvey Skiff
Click on image for more information


What We Do:

We are a full service yard meticulously maintaining and caring for boats ranging from 16ft to 58ft.

~Storage: indoor, outdoor and heated
~Finish work: varnish and paint
~Yacht Carpentry: custom building and restorations
~Launching and rigging

We specialize in the restoration of classic wooden boats:
~Full rebuilds or gradual upgrades
~Bronze Hardware fabrication

We upgrade and refine both wooden and fiberglass yachts to mint condition and classic aesthetics.

COME FOR A VISIT & TOUR

The winter is the best time to come and see our fleet and the quality of our work.  No one is ever disappointed! Feel free to call or email to arrange a time to see us.

Our History:
Ballentine’s Boat Shop (BBS), established in 1974, is tucked away in Cataumet, Massachusetts. We front not a harbor or bay, but a cranberry bog. BBS has grown, at this same location, from a one-man shop with one small building to a facility with 5 large efficient buildings and a 10 to 13 person staff skilled in woodworking, yacht finishing, rigging, and bronze fabrication.

 Sidney Herreshoff 46' Power Cruiser
ARIEL II, restored and maintained at BBS
Click on Image to view it larger

VIKING, a Herreshoff 12 1/2,
was rebuilt and is now maintained at BBS
Viking, a Herreshoff 12 1/2 was rebuilt at Ballentine's Boat shop
Here she is sailing in the  H-Class Nationals,
photos are available for purchase

Ballentine's now fully maintains boats ranging from Herreshoff 12 1/2 footers to a 58-foot ketch. Our emphasis has always been to provide quality service, maintenance and restoration of vintage wooden yachts.   The Ballentine's crew is meticulous in their carpentry and finish work.  They have restored and continue to maintain an impressive and varied fleet.  See our Restorations Page to look at our past and current restoration projects.

BBS is probably best known for restoring and maintaining the original Herreshoff 12 1/2 footers. Because we service so many of this design, we also fabricate their hardware.  Our high quality Bronze Hardware is also available for purchase. 

BBS now builds beautiful wooden tenders
 see our New Construction Page and learn more

Ballentine's built Shellback and Peapod dinghy
BBS Built Shellback and Pea Pod basking on Bassett's Island
See our Dinghies flyer for more information

   
   

Ballentine's Boat Shop, Inc

1104 Route 28A
PO Box 457
Cataumet, MA 02534~0457

 

Phone: (508) 563-2800   ~    Fax: (508) 563-5412    ~    Email: Amy_bbs@cape.com    ~   Web: www.ballentinesboatshop.com

 

 

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