On August 10 at 10 a.m., the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club will play host to the 18th annual Lyman and Antique Boat Rendezvous. 

Lyman Boats (later renamed Lyman Boat Works) was founded in 1875 by Bernard Lyman, a cabinet maker working in Ohio along Lake Erie. The company has made many different types of wooden boats over the years, from 8-foot speed tenders to the 35-foot Sea Hawk small luxury yacht.

The company survived the Great Depression in the 1930s and became one of the foremost names in boatbuilding. By the mid-1970s, wooden boats fell out of favor compared to materials such as fiberglass, and the production line fell silent after 100 years.

A very special guest will be at this year's rendezvous: Fritz Everson, the great-great-grandson of Bernard Lyman. He will be bringing along signed copes of the book recently published by Tom Koroknay (always known as Doc Lyman) called “Lyman Boats: Legend of the Lakes” and will give a presentation prepared by Lyman, who is considered the country's leading expert in the history of Lyman boats.

“This is such a historic presentation, and so important, we decided to open up the event to the public,” said Mary Linda Rapelye, the event organizer. “We want to give everyone who wants to, a chance to learn the history of Lyman boats.”

At 10 a.m., boats will tie up at Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club's dock and will be available for viewing for people with lunch reservations. Lunch will be at noon, where Everson will be the speaker. At 2 p.m. the boats will parade through the harbor and tie up again at Rocktide Inn, where they be open for public viewing by everyone.

During the rendezvous a small number of awards are given out for the oldest boat, smallest boat and “best dressed” boat. A couple of awards are also given to people, including an award for “most improved behavior” and the Founder's Award. Recent winners of the Founder's Award include Jim Hunt and Mike Mayne of Edgecomb Boat Works, for contributions to the rendezvous. Mayne has worked on many Lyman boats, as Edgecomb Boat Works specializes in antique boat restoration and preservation.

At the most recent rendezvous in 2012, Rapelye and her 1957 mint condition Lyman boat Flo Dee Doe won the award for best dressed boat.

The cost for lunch at the Yacht Club is $30 and the public is invited to attend. Those wishing to bring their Lyman or antique boats need to register for $20. To register for either, call Mary Linda Rapelye at 207-350-1969 or email mlrapelye@aol.com.