The Long Beach Centennial Dory

In the spring of 2006, the Long Beach Lifeguard Association of Long Beach, California, commissioned Lowell's Boat Shop to build a Banks Dory to commemorate their centennial and be "worthy of the rich rowing tradition in Long Beach Lifeguarding." The east to west business between the Boat Shop and Long Beach has been ongoing for over seventy-five years, and, remarkably, dories purchased in the 1930's remain in service today. It was the request of the Association that the Boat Shop replicate one such dory using only bright woods and authentic fittings.

Life Guards Scott Crail and Derek Pakiz spearheaded the project and visited the Shop in June and July to participate in the building and launching of their boat. Scott and Derek's regard for "Mecca" (LBS) reminded us at Lowell's of how fortunate we are to have the Boat Shop intact with its time-honored tradition of building durable, seaworthy boats continuing.

Click here to see a slide show of the Centennial Dory

For further information visit: www.longbeachlifeguard.com

Lowell's Clipper Design

In an educational collaborative between Lowell's Boat Shop and Newburyport High School, Special Education teacher Betsy Scott and Master Boat Builder Doug Scott devised a program for students to creatively combine their math, manual and English skills in the building and marketing of flower box boats. The students lofted the numbers, put the design onto a CAD program and built patterns for their "boats." Naming their company "Lowells Clipper Designs," the finished product, replete with spring flowers, was proudly displayed and enthusiastically received at the Maine Boat Builders Show in March.

Funded by the Boat Shop and the Newburyport Business Educational Collaborative, the fundamental goal of this ongoing program is to develop the social and communication skills necessary for future employment. For further information, Google "Lowells Clipper Designs Newburyport" to view the website created by these enterprising students

Gloucester Schooner Races

Innovative Ring's Island Rowing Club member, Daniel Noyes, fitted a student-built eighteen foot Lowell Banks Dory with a schooner rig and boldly entered "The Little Dory that Could" in the 2006 Gloucester Schooner Races. With no other power but oar and sail, Dan navigated his way from Amesbury to Gloucester to compete with the denizens of the schooner fleet. His efforts were rewarded with the "Thank You for Coming" pewter plate - a distinction that he and the intrepid "Dory that Could" shared with the renowned (and 161') Bluenose II of Nova Scotia.

Christmas Open House

In early December, the stalwart volunteer crew of the Boat Shop, The Friends of Lowell's Boat Shop and the Newburyport Art Association combined their energy and creative and culinary talents with a Christmas Open House. Aromas of cedar, mulled cider and chowder welcomed the public to observe boats and model dories in process, to listen to the music of Bill Perry and the Square Riggers, and, to view (and, perhaps, purchase) the work of local artists.

It was a festive and fun-filled weekend that renewed the spirit of the Boat Shop and its community. The weekend was also the launching of several retail products for LBS. Look for "Boat Shop in a Bag" in the "Store" choice of this website!