A lobsterman hauling traps in a rough seas - photo from Classic Yacht Association WEB
Recently, I had the pleasure of reading Daniel S. Lee's captivating book on Maine lobster boats, which meticulously traces the history, evolution, and cultural significance of these iconic vessels. My fascination with the graceful hull forms and functional performance of lobster boats goes back in my high school times, when I encountered an article on Downeast hull forms in an issue of Professional Boatbuilder Magazine.
Frost 34 Merganser today - photo by Lowell brothers
This initial interest over the years grew into a deeper study, as I became intrigued by the artistry behind these boats. To explore these designs further, I hand-carved several half models - a traditional method used by Maine boatbuilders to refine and perfect a boat's lines by feel and sight. I also crafted a half model based on the lines of Merganser, a 34-foot lobster boat designed and built in 1947 by the legendary designer and boatbuilder William Frost. As one of his latest builds and considered among Frost’s most iconic creations, Merganser embodies the essence of Downeast hull form that have come to define the worldwide recognized Maine-style lobster boats.
Miss Faresina
Inspired by my research, back in 2012 I designed a 28-foot cruiser I called Miss Faresina, in memory of a old harbour village on Cres island where my grandpa lived and where my parents now enjoy their retirement. The plan is to build her in strip planking over a wooden plug. It will be a sort of family project when my son gets old enough to be able to hold a hammer. I also build a 1:10 scaled model and performed some visual testing while towing it alongside my dinghy. I wanted to witness with my own eyes how these hull forms run through the water.
Half model of Miss Faresina - Personal archive
Miss Faresina 1:10 model - Personal archive
The Book
Daniel S. Lee’s nearly 500-page book dives into both the art and science of lobster boat design and construction. Using archival documents, articles, and interviews with celebrated Maine boatbuilders, Lee brings to life the skill and precision that shape every curve and line of these working boats. His writing details how boatbuilding evolved over the years, marrying craftsmanship with technological innovation.
While Lee’s descriptions of craftmanship may feel dense to the casual reader, resembling a medical anatomy book for someone outside the field, for those who appreciate the complexities of boatbuilding, the book offers profound insight. Lee also explores the introduction of the early “make-and-brake” engines, the drive to reach more distant fishing grounds, and the pursuit of faster, more efficient designs that transformed not only the lobster boats but the nation’s fishing industry. These developments laid the foundation for a new era, reflecting both the heritage and ingenuity of Maine's boatbuilding culture.
Inspired by this book, I dedicate this article to a man whose innovations made this transformation possible: William Frost, who is credited as the originator of the Maine-style lobster boat.
William Frost: The “Wizard of Beals Islands”
Inspired by insights from Daniel S. Lee’s book "The Maine Lobster Boat"
The Maine coastline, rugged and rich in maritime heritage, has long been synonymous with the lobster industry, a tradition deeply embedded in the state’s identity. Central to this industry’s evolution was the development of the lobster boat, and William Frost stands out as a pioneering figure. Referred to as the "Wizard of Beals islands", Frost’s contributions are vividly illustrated in Daniel S. Lee's book "The Maine Lobster Boat," which delves into the history, design, craftsmanship, and influence of Frost’s innovative work on this Iconic vessel.
Early Beginnings and Inspiration
William Albert Frost, born in 1874 in Little River, Digby County, Nova Scotia and died on Beals Island, Maine in 1965 at the age of 91. He was destined to leave an indelible mark on the world of boatbuilding. Frost’s work helped shape the development of Maine’s lobster boats and the modern Downeast hull forms that remain world wide popular even today. Through a combination of innovation, practical skill, and an inherent understanding of marine needs, Frost pioneered designs that transformed fishing vessels and established Maine as a hub of iconic boatbuilding traditions.
Will Frost Boat Shop on Beals Island - Lowell family photo
Will Frost’s journey into boatbuilding began early with the family trade, love for engines and his keen insight into the potential of motorized vessels. By his late teens, he had already built his first boat, a 26-foot sloop named Linnet, and was captivated by the power of engines. Around 1892, during a visit to Boston, Frost saw the introduction of make-and-break engines and quickly realized their potential for the fishing industry. He secured a dealership for the Myanis single-cylinder gasoline engines in Nova Scotia, selling around 18 engines to local fishermen. This was a significant achievement, as traditionalists were reluctant to shift from sail power to engines. Frost recognized the need for a new type of vessel, one specifically designed to harness the benefits of engine power, and this set him on a lifelong journey of innovation.
Frost near one of his early Jonesport models - Penobscot Marine Museum photo
Frost's Nova Scotia 65-foot boat - Lowell family photo
One of Frost's half models - Lowell family photo
Innovating with Hull Designs
Frost’s early experiences as a fisherman on Digby Neck, a peninsula un Nova Scotia, taught him first hand about the challenges posed by strong currents and rough seas of Gulf of Maine. His observations inspired him to design boats with hulls that could cut through water efficiently, even in adverse conditions. One of his early designs was a 33-foot lobster boat equipped with a “keg keel,” which added weight for stability and helped maintain balance against powerful tides. The boat had a rounded bottom, curved sheer line with high bow and low sides for easy trap handling, and a deep hull for improved seaworthiness.
In the early 20th century, Frost relocated to Beals Island, Maine, where he brought with him the semi-displacement hull design, which he had refined in Nova Scotia. This hull type often referred as "razor case" allowed boats to glide smoothly across the water while maintaining stability, even with small engines. Frost’s semi-displacement hulls became a hallmark of his designs and was instrumental in transforming lobster boats from basic fishing vessels to efficient, stable, and versatile workboats. Is important to note that these 30-foot or so boats, powered by early years engines that produced less than 40 HP, were capable of making up to 17 miles per hour. Translated to todays standards of measuring a boat speed, that was almost 15 knots.
Frost's semi-displacement hull gliding over the water - Lowell family photo
Beside fast and efficient hull forms another of Frost’s most significant contributions to lobster boat design was the square stern. Around 1924, he introduced what became known as the “cut-off” or square stern, an innovation that addressed common issues with the older round-sterned torpedo boats. As torpedo sterns aged, they often developed leaks at their fastenings, and fishermen needed a more durable, easier-to-maintain alternative. The square stern design provided this solution by replacing the rounded stern with a flat, squared-off end that offered greater stability and structural integrity. Over time, this feature became a defining characteristic of Maine lobster boats, and Frost’s square-stern design remains influential in today’s Downeast hull forms.
Early Torpedo stern Frost design - Lowell Family photo
Merganser before launch - Lowell family photo
Merganser sharp bow with fine entry - Lowell family photo
Prohibition and Rumrunner Designs
Prohibition brought a unique twist to Frost’s boatbuilding career. As rumrunning became widespread, bootleggers sought boats that could outmanoeuvre law enforcement. Frost’s fast, stable vessels were perfect for the task. Rumrunners from as far as New Jersey came to Jonesport and Beals Island to purchase Frost’s boats. To protect these “clients” and their cargo from Coast Guard fire, Frost added pilothouses, which shielded the captain and provided additional safety.
His rumrunner boats had sleek hulls, low cabins, and hidden exhausts, known locally as “laughing houses,” which muffled engine noise. Interestingly, the Coast Guard began repurposing Frost’s captured rumrunner boats for their own use, acknowledging their exceptional speed and manoeuvrability. Frost’s designs were so effective that, at one point, he was reportedly building both rumrunner boats and patrol boats, each on opposite sides of his boatyard. This ironic twist illustrates the versatility of Frost’s designs, valued by both smugglers and law enforcement for their performance and durability.
Rumrunner at Frost Boat Shop - Lowell family photo
Challenges and Legacy on Beals Island
Despite his reputation, Frost faced many financial challenges throughout his career, partly due to his method of selling boats on a “cost-plus” basis, where he billed only the base price of the boat, with extras charged separately. This approach often led to losses, as clients would request modifications or upgrades, which Frost would complete without adjusting the initial price. Furthermore, buyers often purchased boats in instalments, leading to additional financial strain when they failed to make the final payments.
Will Frost in his workshop - Lowell family photo
Yet, Frost’s legacy was not defined by financial setbacks but by his contributions to Maine’s boatbuilding culture. His descendants and followers, including the Lowells and Dodges, continued to refine his designs. Jamie Lowell, a modern boatbuilder, noted that Frost’s hull designs remain unique, particularly for their handling and speed. The Downeast hull form of today owes much to Frost’s innovations in stability and efficiency. His semi-displacement hulls with fine entry, a pronounced sheerline tapering to low sides with a gentle tumblehome ending in a cut-off stern and trunk cabins have become benchmarks in lobster boat design, celebrated for their ability to meet the demands of the fishing industry while maintaining a distinctive aesthetic.
In Conclusion
Will Frost’s influence on the evolution of lobster boats is profound and enduring. Although there’s little known about them, it is said he had built 600-1000 boats over the course of his long life. He was a visionary who combined traditional craftsmanship with innovation to meet the evolving needs of fishermen and other clients. His semi-displacement hulls and square sterns were ground-breaking, providing the foundation for today’s Downeast lobster boats, which continue to be cherished for their speed, stability, and efficiency.
Frost’s legacy lives on in the Maine lobster boat races, a tradition initiated by his son, Bert Frost, and in the countless lobster boats that still navigate the waters of New England and beyond. Though many details of his life’s work were undocumented, his impact on boatbuilding is undeniable. Today’s Downeast hull forms owe their lineage to Frost’s ingenuity, and they remain a staple in lobster boat design. Through the skill and passion of boatbuilders who still draw inspiration from his work, Will Frost’s influence on Maine’s maritime culture endures, a testament to his timeless designs and his contributions to the legacy of Maine’s coastal waters.
R.M.
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