Bohndell Sails & Rigging

06/19/2026

It’s nearly impossible to get perfect tension on all four sides of a big gaff main when we only have two sets of hands and one camera person. But. We’re all so pleased with how this new Friendship Sloop main turned out. So many details. So much handwork. So many reef points!
⛵️⛵️⛵️
This sail was also made the old fashioned way. A floor layout; this means no fancy sail design computer software was involved. No machine plotter to draw the panels. Just knowledge passed down through 5 generations here at the loft.
⛵️⛵️⛵️
Bohndell Sails opened in 1870, so history is part of everything we do here. Friendship Sloops were originally built in and around Friendship, Maine in the 1880’s and were used by commercial fishermen. By the 1970’s engine powered fishing boats were common and recreational sailors saw the beauty in the old sloops. Many Friendship Sloops still sail the coast of Maine today and for that we are thankful!
⛵️⛵️⛵️

05/28/2026

Join the crew as we get this new roller furling staysail for a Boothbay Challenger ready for a sunshield! We mimic a roller furler to find the right placement for the sunshield on the leech and foot. The Boothbay Challenger is an Alden design first built in 1968. Masthead ketch. LOA: 58.58’. LWL: 41.0’.
⛵️⛵️⛵️
This filter and audio are cracking me up! Enjoy!
😎😎😎
penobscotbay

05/21/2026

This weather is long gone! Boats are launching! You’re probably looking to pick up your sails if you haven’t already.
⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️
Good news: the loft will be open for sail pick up this Monday 5/25, Memorial Day! Closed from 11-11:30am for lunch. Please take it easy on the one person who will be here working!

05/15/2026

Sheesh! Haven’t been present here since Thanksgiving. I appreciate social media for a few reasons, but most importantly I’ve always liked seeing the pictures my friends and family post. However, I struggle at work to post interesting and cool content because this is my normal, this is home. When customers come in the door and remark at what a cool place our loft is, I get the chance to briefly see it through their eyes. The big, shiny floor. The well organized disorganization. The machines, the tools, the fabrics, the hardware. These photos were taken in the rigging shop in the basement. I spend a lot of time down here and upstairs, but this is the space that was my dad’s and is now mine. Many of his things remain on the walls, which is both heartbreaking and comforting all at the same time. Just a couple days ago a customer-friend was here thinking back to the early 90’s when he used to ride mountain bikes with my dad. Bob Chace is a goddam legend ❤️
🚴🏼🚴🏼🚴🏼
1- race numbers from mountain bike races
2- the fleece jacket is long gone but the cool Newport-Bermuda 1990 patch remains
3- European candy wrappers from souvenirs I brought home for him
4- the best Calvin & Hobbes
5- boat related cartoon

03/13/2026

Finally famous beyond Maine borders!

Discover the ingenuity, vision, and masterful talent of some of our most extraordinary artisans.

03/12/2026

Reminder! "Made With Love: America Part 2" is airing on PBS this Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 11am EST. Tune in to see our sail loft featured :) Let us know what you think!

Discover the ingenuity, vision, and masterful talent of some of our most extraordinary artisans.

02/23/2026

We are thrilled to *finally* announce that Bohndell Sails has been featured on an episode of the PBS series, "Made With Love". Previous episodes of this wonderful show have spotlighted craftspeople in Italy, Mexico, France and more. Bohndell's will be on "America Made With Love: Part 2", airing on the PBS streaming platform, PBS Passport, this Friday, 2/27/26.

The episode will air on Maine Public TV at 11:00am on 3/15/26.

Thank you all for your continued support of our family owned Maine business!

You can glimpse a short preview here:

Discover the ingenuity, vision, and masterful talent of some of our most extraordinary artisans.

11/24/2025

Here Mon/Tu/Wed this week, 7:30-4:00.

08/29/2025

Here til 4pm on Friday! Have a nice weekend!

08/13/2025

We are NOT closing! There’s been some confusion on the docks! Our good friends announced last week that they’re closing their loft in southern Maine. Our logos are both red and white but be sure to keep our businesses separate in your mind 🙂 We wish the Hallett family well in their future endeavors and you can plan to find us here at Bohndell Sails & Rigging for years to come. Stop by and pay us a visit!