Down to the sailloft

The Lunenburg area is very blessed to still have a number of highly talented sailmakers. So when our longtime sailmaker and former Dory Shop co-owner Jill Smith decided to join her now sea-going hubby, Capt. Kim, for high seas adventure, we didn’t have far to look for another excellent loft.

Michele Stevens, shown here with the jib of this latest Seine dory, is a fourth generation sailmaker. Her loft, located at the end of Second Peninsula, was built by her great-grandfather Randolph at a time when sails were the main engines of ocean-going vessels.

Today, Michele makes sails for tall ships, including the Schooner Bluenose II and the Barque Picton Castle, for racers and cruisers, and even humble dories like our own. And the legendary Stevens’ worksmanship goes into every one. In addition to excellent sails, a visit to Michele's loft entails a beautiful 10-minute drive from Lunenburg down through Second Peninsula. This was especially pleasant yesterday, given the spring sunshine and unusually warm temperature. Still I must admit I was shocked to see two young, bathing suit-wearing girls wading in the water at Backman’s Beach. I believe that’s still considered polar bear swimming at this time of year.

Dory Plug