Guess most have visited and/or ordered from Hamilton Marine at some point. Back when the Portland store was near the waterfront, I looked forward to a couple of hours browsing there each time through the area—always finding a few “must haves.”
Now cruising in Penobscot, headed into Belfast (love the place ... recommendations below), we needed a boat part that was available nearby at the Hamilton headquarters in Searsport. I called and asked customer service if there was any way the part could be delivered to the town dock, if we came in there, or if there was any mode of transport to get me from the dock to the store, but no options surfaced.
So I called the Searsport Harbormaster asking for ideas. He said “no problem, tie onto my mooring #5, dinghy in, call my cell phone, and I’ll take you up to the store.” I did exactly that and got the needed part. Turns out, the Harbormaster (part time and, I think, unpaid) is Wayne Hamilton, founder and owner of Hamilton Marine. Great guy and great service!
Never having been into Searsport, I learned a bit. No time to visit on this trip, but we’re definitely going back to what looks like an excellent maritime museum! Would love to hear from any club members that have spent time in Searsport.
Back to Belfast ... three favorites are the great little, couple-run Italian restaurant Meanwhile in Belfast, Susan Cooney’s amazing charcoal drawings of the Maine coast, and the Moonbat Baking Company’s otherworldly croissants (but Moonbat is temporarily closed). Enjoy!