Belfast, Maine has long held a special place in my heart. It was where I first fell in love with the ocean. A special place where Main Street ends at the city boat launch.
This is a city where boating of all forms collide...lobster boats, sail boats, tug boats, old money yachts, and recreational power boats.
Our first trip with the PenBay Explorers Cruising Club based in Hampden was destined for Belfast. A decade ago, novice boaters ventured down the river from our marina in Hampden and had a luncheon on the back deck of Rollie's. Our club ventured to the legendary and defunct Marshall Wharf to gorge on oysters and the finest brews.
It's hard to imagine that Belfast was once known for it's dirty industry, chicken processing, and gritty living.
Now Belfast is thriving with retail shops, festivals (pre-Covid), fine restaurants, and a beautiful harbor walk winding through a patchwork of shipyards, downtown, and open green space.
The green grass meets the ocean at the entrance of the harbor where Belfast Marina is expanding to meet the needs of increasing boat traffic.
I'm excited to announce that Hamlin's Marine is now part of this bustling waterfront at 7 Front Street. We have a small display of boats on the waterfront and are working hard to prepare to move into a showroom that will soon be filled with new boats from Scout, Jeanneau, Carolina Skiff, Sea Chaser, Weldcraft, and many other lines all powered by Yamaha.
I was down at the facility this morning while the painters were finishing up the interior. It won't be long until we can open the doors and be part of a new boating community. I can't wait!
