Overlooking Rockport Harbor, Rockport Marine’s design office creates practical, beautiful yachts shaped around each client’s vision. Whether developing original designs, guiding historically accurate restorations, or collaborating with leading naval architects, we bring more than forty years of custom construction experience to every project—ensuring ideas translate seamlessly from drawing table to shop floor.

Our full-time design team supports every stage of the process, including 3D modeling and rendering, joinery layout, weight analysis, rig planning, and structural engineering. We specialize in translating designs conceived in other materials into cold-molded or traditionally built wood construction, working hand-in-hand with our fabrication shop, machine shop, systems installers, and joiners to produce precise, build-ready drawings.

Start with the Right Questions

Every custom project begins with a conversation. We’ve put together a few questions to get things started — your answers will help frame the conversation before we speak. There’s no obligation. When you’re ready, let us know and we’ll be will be in touch.

Interested in our Capabilities?

Email president Sam Temple or designer Sam Chamberlain to discuss your project today.

Recent Design Projects

LW38

The LW38 is a shallow-draft, easily handled daysailer/weekender inspired by the Little Harbor 36 and Aage Nielsen’s design no. 324, combining performance tweaks, solo-friendly rigging, and comfortable amenities in a spacious, refined package.

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R37

The R37 is an ideal dayboat and yet is remarkably well-equipped for simple cruising. With roots in the lobster yachts from the 1950s by Newbert and Wallace, the type and scale were selected to balance sea kindliness, moderate speed . . .

Open transom view of R37 built by Rockport Marine

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Adventuress

Following an immaculate restoration and seamless updating by Rockport Marine, ADVENTURESS' exquisite aesthetics and sailing qualities continue their timeless appeal.

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Other Rockport Marine Projects

Mar Amore

A shallow ballast keel slotted for a centerboard not only means that the Little Wolf-38 floats in only three and a half feet of water but also that you can bring her into a beach and, in waist-deep water, walk all around . . .

Ouzel

A 95-foot wood-composite pilothouse superyacht that blends understated sophistication with long-range performance—purpose-built for serious world voyaging without sacrificing practicality or grace.

R37

Mist

Launched in the fall of 2021 and built in collaboration with Tripp Design NA, MCM Management, Tack Studios and experienced owners. MIST was built with wood composite construction, an elegantly simple interior and a particularly well thought out rigging package. The yacht was designed and built to the owner’s clear direction: “I want a yacht that is notable in this size range. It should have some classical elements, but the...Read More

Penn Desk

Occasionally our boatbuilders will take on special projects. This reception desk for a new teaching hospital was a particularly rewarding challenge. Planked in white oak on white oak frames and finished with satin varnish the sculpture exudes comfort and security.

Latifa

At the beginning of the global pandemic LATIFA paused a long-range cruise and returned to Rockport Marine for a systems refit, interior joinery, cosmetics upgrade, and a rig inspection.

William Underwood

The WILLIAM UNDERWOOD is a sardine carrier, built in 1941 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, at the Simms Brothers yard.

Perseverance

Perseverance combines a classic aesthetic with modern systems and interior. She is a simple and ideal New England boat.

Nashua

NASHUA is the fourth W.46 racing yacht to be built at Rockport Marine. Designed by Bob Stephens, the W.46s are one-design racing sloops that are competitive in the Spirit of Tradition class across many classic yacht regattas.

Adventuress

Following an immaculate restoration and seamless updating by Rockport Marine, ADVENTURESS' exquisite aesthetics and sailing qualities continue their timeless appeal.

Arabesque

ARABESQUE was designed by Fontaine Design Group for cruising New England and day sailing in Long Island Sound.

Trade Wind

TRADE WIND was originally built in 1938 for a discerning owner who wanted an elegant floating home.

Concordia Yawls

103 Concordia Yawls were built between 1938 and 1966. A dozen of these iconic boats entrust their annual care to Rockport Marine.

Bolero

BOLERO is known on both sides of the Atlantic as a superb ocean racer.

Structural Repairs

Almost every winter we have multiple yachts in our main shop receiving structural repairs. Some projects are small and routine, others are larger and more comprehensive.

Jill

The six-meter class, a group of one-design racers that compete to this day, attracted designers such as Herreshoff, Fife and Sparkman and Stephens.

Bernice

Ninety-year-old BERNICE came to Rockport Marine for a complete restoration.

Spirit of Bermuda

SPIRIT OF BERMUDA is an 112-foot, three-masted schooner based on the traditional Bermudian schooners built between 1810 and 1840.

Palma

Almost every aspect of PALMA, a plank-on frame, double-ended daysailer, is custom designed and built.

Lynx

LYNX, a 76-foot topsail schooner, was designed by Melbourne Smith and is used to educate students about the War of 1812.