Redd’s Pond Boatworks

Redd’s Pond Boatworks is a traditional wooden boat shop in historic Marblehead that builds, maintains and restores wooden boats. Its craftsmen combine traditional methods with modern techniques, and the shop’s stated mission is keeping the spirit of wooden boating alive in the Northeast. Projects range from reviving an old boat that has been sitting in a backyard to building a new one from an owner’s idea through to launch day.

Owner Doug Park grew up sailing in Marblehead and first encountered wooden boats as a student aboard the schooner Harvey Gamage with the Ocean Classroom Foundation. He apprenticed at Redd’s Pond during high school summers, later studied at the International Yacht Restoration School, and worked as a shipwright on the Charles W. Morgan restoration at Mystic Seaport, recreating the historic whaleship’s bow section with period techniques.

What to Know

• Doug Park bought the shop in 2011.
• During college summers he worked with Ocean Classroom and Manchester Marine.
• Shop dog Juniper joined in 2022, following Jasper, who served as official greeter for nine years.
• The shop is a member of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce.