About

Belfast Bay Sailmakers is here to be a part of Maine’s vibrant sailing community. Whether you are daysailing Penobscot Bay with your family, racing through Eggemoggin, looking to cross the pond, or heading south for the winter, we want to help you achieve your sailing goals.

I’m Jay O’Hara and I’ve been sailmaking for ten years. But, it all started long before that. Cruising the coast of Maine as a child, working in boatyards and teaching sailing in high school embedded me in the maritime world. I’ve cruised from the northern tip of Newfoundland to the Bahamas, been a tall ship deckhand, raced dinghies and crewed the winning Herreshoff 12 1/2 junior national champion boat twice.

I first apprenticed as a sailmaker in 2008 on Cape Cod, and came to appreciate how valuable a part of the sailing community that a sailmaker can be. After moving to Belfast, I realized that this town could use a sailmaker. I’m passionate about getting out on the water and helping people do the same. I hope you’ll drop by and see what we might do together.

Our sail loft is a blend of the old and the new. While some of our sewing machines are over 100 years old (and will keep going for another 100!), we are also in the age of email, text message and the internet. Our door isn’t unlocked five days a week, but we are still here to get you back out on the water. Drop a sail in the drop box outside and send a text or email, and we’ll get you back out there doing what you love. Or if Monday-Wednesday doesn’t work for you, call and make an appointment and let’s get together and talk in person about how to meet your sailing goals.

I look forward to the conversation.

-Jay