Lofting: Break the Anchor I

João Bentes graduated as an apprentice of The Apprenticeshop and now is building a traditional Portuguese “Canoa de Picada” - Sardine carrier - and currently lofting the boat at The Steel House in Rockland. His project (and Portuguese nonprofit CRL) is called Break the Anchor, with the aim of building a boat, sailing across the Atlantic, and bringing traditional boatbuilding back to his home country.

I went to meet and help out in any way I could, hoping to gain a little bit of insight into the process of “lofting.”

We both think there is something special and a similar spirit between this project and The Village Canoe. Two “Canoas” on the coast of Maine. Different ways of building similar community.

Photographer Erin Tokarz is documenting various activities and the building of the Dublin Bay boat at the Apprenticeshop, but stopped by to take a few pictures of the progress during lofting. It was a pleasure to meet her - kind and thoughtful with a good eye. As a courtesy she’s allowed us to use the photos! Thanks, Erin.

João will be lofting through the end of February, and his doors are open to the public to engage with the project. I’ll be back for more!

Break the Anchor Website

The Apprenticeshop Blog - Break the Anchor is Lofting! (2019)

The Apprenticeshop Blog - Break the Anchor Fundraiser (2018)