Stephen Rappaport

May 29, 2024 | maineboats.com | Stephen Rappaport

It’s the rare relationship that endures for 40 years, especially one that involves an old wooden runabout and a restorer for whom boats are just one of many fascinations. Even the mind-boggling restoration of the historic Swedish warship Vasa, sunk immediately after launching in 1628 and raised from the bottom of Stockholm harbor in 1962, was completed in less time. But then again, the naval vessel wasn’t a vintage Hacker, and the craftsman at work on her wasn’t Bob Bartlett.

Mar 26, 2024 | islandinstitute.org | Stephen Rappaport

After the weather Maine experienced in December and January, even the staunchest climate change skeptic had to admit that something is up. Three powerful storms—a rainstorm in December and two coastal windstorms in January—roared through the state. Several factors, other than their arrival in rapid succession, made those winter storms unusual. They brought lots of rain, especially in December, but very little snow.

Jan 31, 2024 | maineboats.com | Stephen Rappaport

Photographs by Stephen RappaportHead out a narrow, woods-shaded country road winding past farmland and bogs on the Blue Hill Peninsula and, just before the road crosses a meandering stream, you will find the Hayden Sign Company and Reed Hayden’s workshop—if you don’t miss the unmarked driveway.

Dec 6, 2023 | maineboats.com | Stephen Rappaport

Photos by Tyler FieldsAfter completing a six-year redesign and rebuilding process,  boatbuilder Brion Rieff launched the 8-Meter yacht Octavia into the waters of Herrick Bay just in time for the one-time World Cup champion to sail in this past year’s Eggemoggin Reach Regatta. The boat and the event are nearly the same age. The first ERR was held in 1985.

Aug 1, 2023 | islandinstitute.org | Stephen Rappaport

A powerful winter storm that left thousands without power for days and brought devastation to communities all along the Maine coast in December also struck a blow at Linda Bean’s lobster empire, though the ultimate impact on the high-profile business is unclear. The storm that struck just days before Christmas destroyed a wharf in Tenants Harbor that served as one of three lobster buying stations on Penobscot Bay for the employee-owned, Rockland-based Bean Maine Lobster, Inc.