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Farrins Boatshop custom builds modern Workboats, Commercial Sport Fisherman and Pleasure Yachts. At Farrins, pride in our Workmanship has been continuously applied for more than 40 years. Our Craftsmanship in Design and Construction will give your custom project the Famous Quality that all have come to expect from the Maine Boat
Building Industry.
Most fiberglass hulls are delivered bare, as shown here. We then install the power plant, shaft, propeller and rudder before beginning to finish your boat with a custom superstructure and interiors.
Farrins Boatshop also builds custom wooden hulls. Our roots in wooden boat building runs deep, with many years of experience in the building and repair of traditional wooden boats.
Our "Common Sense" approach to the design of your boat stems from our belief that boats, first and foremost, should fit each owner's personal needs. For example, a large amount of bright wood trim may require more maintenance than an owner is willing to give. On the other hand, owners have different levels of tolerance for paint and varnish work. Bright work may be important to you. Your personal choices will be considered before we start designing and constructing your boat. Other decisions include power, drive method, electronics, etc.... etc. Every detail is carefully planned before beginning.
In 1961, Bruce Farrin got his start building boats with Alex Ropes and went on to work at Gamage's Shipyard in South Bristol in 1963. Working along craftsman from families' long associates with shipbuilding, Bruce learned traditional methods of boat building from these truly experienced builders. Bruce helped to build the 125' Schooner "Bill of Rights", the Topsail Schooner "Shenandoah" and the Hudson River Sloop "Clearwater". He also worked on the "Crystal S", a 120' steel seiner, learning the art of steel fabrication from local craftsman Ed Gamage.
After nine years at Gamage's, Bruce opened his own shop across the Gut on Rutherford Island. His first launch was the 36' lobster boat "Beverly Ann". Bruce's' reputation quickly grew with every successful launching. In February 1978 a major storm struck the Maine coast, tearing Bruce's boat shop off its pilings and pushed it into the middle of the cove. The shop, his tools and the 35' Sport Fisherman under constuction were lost. Bruce and his wife Judy moved in land and built their own 30' x 42' shop and by early summer were back in business.
By the late 70's change came 
again to the boat industry in the form of fiberglass. Bruce's first fiberglass boat was the 37' Repco "Lisa Marie" built in 1979. The shop built only in fiberglass for the next few years but in 1987 they built the wooden hulled 40' Coastal Cruiser "Red Jacket", shown here in 2004 in Suttons Bay, Lake Michigan looking as good as when she was launched.
Bruce continues to have a busy shop and has been joined by his sons, Bruce Jr. and Brian who have been involved in boat building since they could hold a "C" clamp and pass tools to their dad. Also part of the Farrins boatbuilding family, are crewmembers Eric Runion, Dave Wallace and John Brackett.
The 32' "Muriel B." has a BHM hull and was built in 1996. It has stood the test of time and the owners that use it continuously every summer. This boat glides effortlessly through the water. Powered by a "B" Series 250hp Cummins diesel with an "Evolution" drive, she has full accommodations for four.
The "Muriel B." might be found in Casco Bay or in Somes Sound, but rarely at it mooring in East Boothbay.
"Sea Wheels"
The owners of the 32' Newman hulled "Sea Wheels" are longtime sailors and desired as quiet a boat as possible. 
Composite materials, careful attention to the sound insulation and the "Evolution Drive" system make this an exceptionally quiet cruiser that is used for extended trips on the Maine Coast. A 315 hp Yanmar diesel gives a cruising speed of about 15 knots and a top speed of 23 knots.
Sport Fisherman "Defiant"
"Defiant" is a new 42 foot Wesmac Downeast style custom Sport Fisherman with all the creature comforts of a sport fishing yacht. 
Both Tournament and Canyon Rigged, "Defiant" was built in Maine by Farrins Boatshop where some of the best crafted, hardest working boat are being built today. A fishing and charter boat for Bluefish, Fluke, Tuna, Bass, Shark, Marlin & Swordfish. "Defiant Sport Fishing" is based in New Jersey and runs from Maine to Florida.
Knowing the needs of a hardcore fisherman, both the "Defiant's" owner and Captain worked hand in hand with Westmac's Marine Architects and Bruce Farrin to build a New England style fishing boat that provides the luxury and comfort of some of today's most popular sport yachts.
With its 14 1/2 foot beam, overall length of 42 feet and diesel powered by an 800 hp Caterpillar engine, this vessel will cruise to 25 knots and take you through some of the roughest seas in comfort and safety. In the cockpit you will find a 600-gallon fish-hold equipped with an Eskimo icemaker that will keep your catch as fresh as the moment you caught it.
"Defiant" is outfitted with some of the latest electronics that are usually found on 80-foot boats.
"Designed for Canyon trips, this boat features an underwater Fiber-optic lighting system to attract more baitfish at night, improving your catch. Not only in the vessel rigged for all out fishing it also sleeps 6 and has a full galley, hot water, a shower, head, AC/Heat, TV, DVD, Stereo and large seating areas."
John Skrapits, Owner
"Domo 2"
The British-builtMitchell Jet-Powered boats are an interesting breed. They are agile and easily handled. "Domo 2" is a twin Hamilton Jet powered and cruises at about 20 knots. She is 31 feet long and has accommodations for 4 people.
"Old Crow"
"Old Crow" has a rugged displacement hull, not as fast, but a rock solid cruiser for two. Both boats were imported hulls with power and cabin tops, they were completely finished by Farrins.
"Marisa"
"Marisa" is a JC-31/Autumn Boatworks hull powered by twin 350 hp Yanmar diesels. She cruises at 32 knots and sea trialed at over 35 knots. "Marisa" is a completely custom build and currently calls California home. This hull is one of several Lobster Yacht Hulls that can be modified for use with a Jet-Drive!
"True North"
Another potential "Jet-Driven Hull" is the 38-foot Wesmac of "True North".
Driven conventionally by the "Evolution Drive" and powered by a single 420ho Caterpillar, "True North" cruises comfortable at 16 knots.
This is another fine example of a completely custom built yacht. It features a "Kids Stateroom" below the main deck. The kids regularly argue over who get to use it! "True North" also calls California home but travels by trailer to such places as Lake Mead and the Baja Peninsula.
"Bay Flyer"
Farrins builds completely custom workboats. The "Bay Flyer" is a 36-foot Wayne Beal hull with Farrins' Deck and House. It is powered by a single 420 hp Cummins diesel and has a top speed of 24 knots.
"Charlene Anne" 34-foot H&H 220 hp John Deere Cruises at 17 knots |
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"Alexandria" 40 foot Wayne Beal 200 hp Mack Top Speed 26 knots |
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"RPJJ" "RPJJ" was the first boat built in the Walpole shop after the shop in the Gut was destroyed by the blizzard of '78. Launched in the fall of 1978, she is planked with mahogany on oak frames and powered with a 6 cylinder Ford Diesel. She is still going strong after 26 years. |
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"First Light" 38 foot Holland 71 Series Volvo Top Speed 24 Knots |
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