Hodgdon

A versatile builder of vessels ranging from yacht tenders to luxury sailing and motor yachts to custom superyachts, Hodgdon Yachts draws on the longstanding Maine wooden boatbuilding tradition.

History

In 1816, Caleb Hodgdon launched the family boat-building business on Damariscotta River in East Boothbay with the delivery of a 13-metre “pinky schooner” built for the local fishing fleet. Hodgdon, who also operated a sawmill, cut his own timber for the workboat schooners produced by the shipyard.

In the 20th century, the Hodgdon shipyard built luxury wooden sailing yachts drafted by noted designers such as John G. Alden, as well as military vessels commissioned during World War II and the Korean War (the shipyard maintains a Defense division to this day). In the mid 1950s, George I. “Sonny” Hodgdon, Jr., added racing sailing boats to the shipyard’s portfolio, building yachts designed by Bill Tripp, Sr., and Sparkman & Stephens, as well as small boats of his own design.

In 1979, Timothy Hodgdon ushered in a new era of technological development at the shipyard by introducing the contemporary cold-moulded wood construction process. Over the years, the size of the luxury sailing and motor yachts built by Hodgdon Yachts has increased with recent new builds approaching 50 metres in length. Complementing its superyacht line, Hodgdon also recently launched a series of elegant custom yacht tenders.

Notable Yacht

The 47-metre sailing superyacht Scheherezade, which Hodgdon Yachts launched in 2003 with a cold-moulded wood/epoxy hull, ably demonstrates the shipyard’s wooden yacht-building capabilities. Yacht designer Bruce King provided her naval architecture and exterior styling, while Andrew Winch created her light and airy interior design.

Specialisations

Hodgdon Yachts offers naval architecture, yacht design, engineering, new custom yacht building projects, refits, and service. It specialises in fine woodwork, from yacht hulls to interior furnishings.