Sabre Blog

Lobstering – A New Look at a Downeast Tradition

Our heritage as a Maine boat builder is not just an integral part of Sabre’s identity, but a defining element of the entire Maine boat building community. This community, born in 1607 on the banks of the Kennebec River, has forged a culture and a livelihood in spite of the inhospitable climate and geography. Challenges that have not altered in the intervening 410 years. Sabre owners Kim and Randy reflect on the Lobstering industry and the working-boat heritage that informed the design of their own Sabre 48 Salon Express. Their clarity and perception are an excellent reminder of what’s on “the other side of chic.”

Long Cove, Vinalhaven Island, Maine –

Dating back to the 50’s, there has been a fascination with and a high demand for, the highly prized lobster. In chic white table clothed eateries in NYC or Chicago a 1 1/2 pound Maine lobster may cost $60 – at Red’s Lobster Shack in Wiscasset, Maine $19. From a lobsterman stopping by our boat $5 – but we do the steaming!

Long considered a delicacy in and outside of New England and now spreading global, lobster is a routine way of culinary life here in Maine; however, you may not see it on the menu at highly acclaimed Primo in Rockland because James Beard award winning chef/owner Mellisa Kelly might say it is available in most other restaurants in the area.

She would be correct.

What we and others fortunate to spend time on Maine’s pristine coastal waters see is the other side of chic – the efforts expended by Maine’s lobstermen & women to bring this delicacy to our tables. Apart from the popularity of lobster, the economy of many rural coastal Maine towns and hamlets like Carver’s Harbor, completely depend on the lobster industry. 

The lifestyle can be brutal. 

Harvesting from May to December, the weather either side of July-September is problematic. Rain, fog, fierce winds accompanied by angry seas are routine challenges to this first leg of the lobstering industry. It’s a “rain or shine” business often handled by husband and wife teams. It is physically demanding, often disappointing as to the catch and worthy of respect from everyone with an understanding of what is required to bring lobster to the table. For us it is pure pleasure in pulling close, but not too close to interfere with their work, then coming to a stop, to wave or say hello and interact – they always wave back or will tell us how their “haul” for the day is going.

Right now, not too well. “The ‘lobstah’s’ are late this summah”. 

As a group, they know the seas and are the penultimate boat handlers, can feel the weather forecast in their bones, are territorial as to their fishing grounds and fiercely protective of their industry.

We hope they understand our appreciation for their dedication, work ethic and for the delicious product they harvest.  One of them mentioned  that we have a remote connection with the lobsterman in that, from the deck up, their “Down East” styled boats were the design template for Sabre, our boat’s manufacturer, when they went into production in 1989. One lobster man said to us, “You are a lobster boat – on steroids”. We took it as a compliment, and Sabre would too. A Raymond Maine-built boat, partially fashioned after those lobstering in the lower, mid and down east coastal regions of Maine.

Regardless of your opinion on global warming, the locals are telling us Maine waters have not been this warm in 50 years – off-shore right now, 59 degrees. Lobsters prefer cold water and the warming trend is sending them farther east, towards Stonington, here to the islands of Vinalhaven and further east to Nova Scotia where the industry is in a hyper-bull cycle. This is due in part to the general abundance of the crustaceans and a newly cultivated market exporting to Asia. What the warming means for the lower and mid-coast Maine lobster industry is up for discussion.

There are multiple levels in the sale of a single lobster. From the lobster boat to the co-op, to the distributor to the food purveyor and finally to the food store or restaurant. Next time you buy a lobster you might think of the husband and wife team that it first came into contact with, quite possibly in foul weather.

They were paid between $3.30 and $4.00 a pound.

All the best from the three of us.

Lacey, Kim and Randy

Joey: 5 years with Sabre Yachts

Hi All,

In this Sabre Work-iversary post, we’re featuring an interview with Joey, who recently celebrated five years with Sabre Yachts. Joey is part of another ‘Sabre Family’ – he and his brother Peter both work in Sabre’s woodshop. His friends here at Sabre have described Joey as hard working, positive, and kind, and we couldn’t agree more. We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks and congratulations to Joey on five awesome years!

Tell me something that was difficult but made you a better person:

Schooling.

What’s your favorite book?

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, by Jules Verne

Captain Nemo: The Fantastic History of a Dark Genius, by Kevin J. Anderson

The Story of Captain Nemo, by Dave Eggers

How would your best friend describe you?

Funny, kind, and gentle.

What super power would you like to have?

Deflect bullets.

Tell me about your earliest childhood memory:

Getting a bicycle when I was five.

If you could send a message back through time to your younger self what would you say?

Take care of yourself.

What’s your least favorite thing about the world today?

Littering and Pollution.

Tell me about someone who is your hero:

Babe Ruth and everything he stands for.

Do you have any regrets?

No.

If you had to sell everything you owned, and could only keep one thing, what would you keep and why?

My dignity, because nobody can take that away from me.

What makes you proud?

Caring about people.

If you could talk to someone who has passed away who would you talk to and what would you say?

My father, and I would ask him how heaven is.

Tell me about the person who has impacted your life the most:

My mother.

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

A hockey player and a fireman.

What’s the best advice you can give?

Learn how to get along with everybody else.

Wendy: 20 years with Sabre Yachts

Hi All,

2017’s anniversary series is something special, representing a combined total of five hundred and twenty-five years of boatbuilding experience at Sabre Yachts. Marking off twenty of those years is Wendy. Anyone who knows her will tell you that Wendy is a cornerstone of our Production Team, her pride in her work is matched only by our own pride in calling her a member of the Sabre Family. Our thanks to Wendy for an incredible twenty years of dedication and talent.

 

What’s something your mother taught you that you’ve never forgotten?

No matter what, do your best!

How honest are you?

Way too much.

What superpower would you like to have?

The ability to fly.

What’s your favorite book of all time?

Violets are Blue, by James Patterson

Tell me about something that was difficult but made you a better person:

Going through cancer, twice.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

London, England.

What’s your favorite song of all time?

My Best Friend, by Tim McGraw

If you could talk to someone who has passed away, who would you talk to and what would you say?

My mom and my sister. I would tell them how much I miss them.

What makes you proud?

The outcome of my work.

If you could send a message back through time to your younger self what would you say?

Listen to your mom!

Tell me about the most beautiful thing you’ve seen:

Sunset in the Florida Keys.

What is your least favorite thing about the world today?

Poverty.

Name one thing that always makes you smile:

My friends and family.

If you won a million dollars what would you spend it on?

School loans.

Nancy: 40 years with Sabre Yachts

Hi All,

Our next anniversary interview features Sabre’s Chief Financial Officer, Nancy, who recently celebrated an impressive forty years at Sabre Yachts. Nancy joined Sabre in 1977, just seven years after the company was founded. Since that time, Nancy has been a cornerstone of our organization, and an essential factor in our overall success. There aren’t words to express the depth of Nancy’s contribution to Sabre Yachts, nor are there adequate words to communicate our gratitude. Our sincerest congratulations to Nancy, along with our deepest appreciation, respect, and gratitude. 

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

I would go on a safari in Africa.

Would you rather be deaf or blind?

Blind – I need to listen to music. 

If you could talk to someone who has passed away, who would you talk to and what would you say?

My dad, I’d tell him how much I miss him.

Tell me about the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen:

The aurora borealis.

What makes you proud?

Seeing how my daughter turned out. 

Tell me about your earliest childhood memory:

I was walking down the street to go to kindergarten. 

How honest are you?

Pretty honest. 

What super power would you like to have?

Invisibility.

If you could send a message back through time to your younger self what would you say?

Don’t worry so much and have more fun.

What, in your opinion, is the best thing about humanity?

Its diversity.

Tell me about the person who has impacted your life the most:

My husband who was funny, patient, and loving. 

What’s your favorite song of all time?

Life is a Highway, by Tom Cochrane. It always makes me want to dance. 

Is it ever okay to break the rules?

Not really.

If you won a million dollars what would you spend it on?

I’d give most of it to charities. 

Sabre 45 Shakedown Cruise

We just wanted to take a moment to tell you about our first real cruise aboard Q.E.D.

We were out 9 days going from Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club to Fort Lauderdale, Ocean Reef, and Miami Beach.  While we were concerned about taking a brand new boat, we were confident that help was close by should any problem arise.  Nothing of significance did.

She exceeded all our expectations in every way.  We had several passages with very confused seas such that some of the bigger boats decided to duck into the ICW.  Not us.  We led a group of the boats on one of the tough days and she performed better than we could have hoped.  But it was not just underway that she was terrific.  From cocktails aboard one night when we had 18 people who all decided the cockpit was the place to hang out to quiet dinners for the two of us, everything worked in an outstanding manner. 

So many simple design items made the trip really fun and rewarding.  We keep finding more and more space for storage and had aboard enough food for a month or more.  And that did not include the storage for certain adult beverages that were consumed.

Everyone who came aboard raved about the fit and finish.  The little touches such as the woodwork in the entire boat and particularly the curved headers on doors and around the helm area make the boat a piece of high grade furniture that is better than we have ever seen other than on other Sabre’s.

At the end of the trip, we have to search to find anything that did not work as designed.  We only added a few items like two drawer latches that need adjustment!

We cannot thank all of you enough for the outstanding job everyone at Sabre has done to bring this project to completion in such an outstanding manner.

We hope you sell more than a hundred of these!

Shelly and Naomi

Keep Reading: Sabre 45 Shakedown Cruise – Numbers Two and Three

Tyler: 5 years with Sabre Yachts

Hi All,

Next in our anniversary series is Tyler, who recently reached his first seniority milestone – 5 years with Sabre Yachts. While Tyler may be a ‘young gun’ in this year’s roundup of anniversaries, he is nevertheless an excellent craftsman in our lamination department and a sterling example of team spirit and dedication. Our thanks to Tyler for this first five years, and best wishes for many more as a member of the Sabre Family!

Tell me about the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen:

A monsoon storm in the desert. 

Is it ever okay to break the rules?

All the time!

What’s your least favorite thing about the world today?

Politics. 

Tell me about the person who has impacted your life the most:

My grandfather. He is my everything; he’s my outdoors buddy.

What are you best at?

Problem-solving.

What’s your favorite book of all time?

The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton.

What super power would you like to have?

Money.

Tell me about your best childhood friend:

Jason – He’s very outgoing, always there for me, and full of positivity. He’ll never let you down.

If you could learn any instrument what would you play?

The harmonica.

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

A cop. 

When you’re 80 what story will you tell your grandchildren?

All of them.

What’s something your mother taught you that you’ve never forgotten?

I don’t kiss and tell…

If you won a million dollars what would you spend it on?

A camp in the woods.

If you could talk to someone, who has passed away who would you speak to and why?

My Uncle Bob. I’d ask about the future of our camp.

Tyler (L) with fellow members of the Sabre Production Team celebrating the 100th Sabre 48.

Official Sea Trial Data – Sabre 45 Salon Express

Sabre 45 Salon Express hull #001 Performance DataThe official results are in, and the Sabre 45 is a monumental success. Examine the data here, or download the report from the Sabre 45 Performance page. 

As a bonus, check out the running video shot by Sabre’s Engineering Team, then see their preliminary photos in the Sabre 45 Image Gallery.

 

Frank: 25 years with Sabre Yachts

Hi All,

We’re celebrating Frank’s twenty-fifth anniversary at Sabre Yachts – a very impressive milestone, especially because only seventeen current associates (of our one-hundred and fifty total) have reached this anniversary! Frank’s dedication is exemplary, and we appreciate every moment of his twenty-five years. 

2007

Tell me about something that was difficult but made you a better person:

Raising a child at a young age. I had to grow up fast.

If you had to sell everything you owned, and could only keep one thing, what would you keep and why?

My house, you would freeze in Maine otherwise. 

Where would you go in a time machine?

100 years into the future. 

What’s something your mother taught you that you’ve never forgotten?

How to cook for myself. 

Tell me about your best childhood friend:

Billy  – he would make you laugh until you cried. 

Is it ever okay to break the rules?

If you’re the one who makes the rules.

 

When you’re 80 what story will you tell your grandchildren?

How I met their grandmother. 

2012

What’s your favorite book of all time?

Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut.

Tell me about your earliest childhood memory:

Watching Johnny Carson with Grandma.

How honest are you?

Too honest.

What’s the most important thing you learned in school?

Math. I can keep track of how many beers are in the fridge!

What, in your opinion, is the best thing about humanity?

That it’s still around.

If you could talk to someone who has passed away who would you talk to and what would you say?

I talk to my father all the time.

Would you rather be deaf or blind?

Deaf. My wife says I’m deaf already.

1997

“The boat just ate ’em up” – Sabre 45 Sea Trial

Hi All,

Our Engineering Team is onboard the Sabre 45 conducting her first sea trial – what follows is a direct transcript of their comments.

Sabre 45 Salon Express hull 001

“Very smooth running hull… Excellent!”

“27.5 knots at 3250 rpm continuous cruise… 35 gallons per hour.”

“Out and in, Jupiter Inlet with waves stacked, the boat just ate ’em up. Amazing!”

“Wide Open Throttle – 32 knots, 44 gallons per hour, at 3600 rpm with T3’s”

Sabre 45 Hull 001 Sea Trial

“She’s attracting a lot of onlookers!”

“72 dBA at cruise, 75 dBA at wide open throttle.”

“94 percent load at rated 3500 rpm…”

“Very solid bottom.”

First Sea Trail of Sabre 45 Salon Expres

“Feels very solid… Dave’s ecstatic.”

Find out more about the Sabre 45 Salon Express!

Bruce: 10 Years with Sabre Yachts

Hi All,

Our second ‘work-iversary’ post features Bruce, who recently celebrated ten years with Sabre Yachts. As we’ve mentioned previously, the Sabre Yachts Team has a number of multiple-generation families: Bruce and his son Neal are among them. We owe our industry-leading reputation, as well our team’s positivity and enthusiasm, to craftspeople like Bruce – who can always be counted on for a helping hand, and a smile. Sabre would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Bruce, and our sincere congratulations.

Bruce: 10 Years with Sabre Yachts

Tell me about your best childhood friend: 

His name is Jeff. He got me into more trouble than any other friend I ever had! All good memories. 

How honest are you?

I’m not a liar. Although, with young kids or old parents, it doesn’t hurt to bend the truth sometimes. 

What in your opinion is the best thing about humanity?

We keep going. We’ve got to. 

Tell me about something that was difficult but made you a better person:

Taking my parents driving rights away.

If you could send a message back through time to your younger self what would you say?

Look out for your future. Start saving early and don’t smoke.

Tell me about the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen:

That’s a hard one. Either the view from the top of the Alps in Austria, the Grand Canyon, or Haleakala Volcano in Maui, Hawaii. If I had to pick one, I think I would go with the Grand Canyon. 

Tell me about the person who has impacted your life the most:

That would be my grandmother on my mother’s side.

Bruce: 10 Years with Sabre Yachts

Bruce with his children around 1998 – Today, Bruce’s son Neal also works at Sabre Yachts

Tell me about an embarrassing moment:

Diving into a pool, but taking two screen doors, frame and all, with me!

When you’re 80 what story will you tell your grandchildren?

How to take advantage of learning from your mistakes, and I’ll have plenty of them. Do as I say, not as I do!

What do you cook when no one else is home?

I usually cook for the moment. 

What is your dream car?

Mid-to-late 50’s Thunderbird, silver. 

If you won a million dollars on what would you spend it?

I would invest it, but only after getting that Thunderbird!

Pepsi or Coke?

Moxie beats all!

If you could learn to play any instrument what would you play?

The guitar, but I have no musical talent. 

Bruce: 10 Years with Sabre Yachts

Tell me one thing that none of your coworkers know about you:

I don’t know; I think they know everything. My son, Neal, works here as well and he gives away all my secrets. 

What’s the most important thing you learned in school?

I think the most important things were to be social, take in as much knowledge as you can, and have fun.

If you could talk to someone who has passed away who would it be and what would you say?

It would be any of my four grandparents, and I’d just like to have a good chat. 

What superpower would you like to have?

The ability to fly. 

What’s your favorite song of all time?

‘Imagine,’ by John Lennon. Good song!

Is it ever okay to break the rules?

Columbus took a chance…

What’s something your mother taught you that you’ve never forgotten?

Of course, how could I forget – always wear clean underwear!