Newell’s Boatworks – Over 25 Years of Fine Finishes
Nestled in the back of Portsmouth’s Shea Terrace neighborhood along Scott’s Creek, sits Newell’s Boat Works, a wooden boat restoration shop and 30 slip marina owned and operated by Mitch Newell. Newell’s Boat Works was established in 1998, but the property dates back to 1858, the year Portsmouth was chartered as an independent city. The original railway was how boats used to be pulled up onto dry docks.
“Old Man Shea built this railway in 1859 to haul out his oyster boats. He has descendants that still live in this neighborhood.” The Flagship Restaurant adjacent to Newell’s Boat Works used to be the place to go on
Newell’s Marina on Scott’s Creek
Friday and Saturday nights. Fresh crabs and oysters coming in off the waters and heading straight to the kitchens meant a robust & packed house.
Mitch Newell specializes in yacht restorations – both wooden and fiberglass. His custom wood work is a sight to behold and in demand. He has clients who have sent him to Florida to do his specialized wood restoration on their yachts. His motto on boats and marinas is “if you can’t stay on top of it, it will be going down fast.” He doesn’t mind traveling to Fort Lauderdale, and has many stories to tell of good times there.
Vintage Beauty
The Lyman before and after. Lyman boats were founded in Cleveland, OH in 1878 and were made up until 1973.
The Lyman is Mitch Newell’s boat and takes center stage when you walk into Newell’s Boat Works. The incredible restoration done on this boat was an award winner at the St. Michael’s Wooden Boat Show in 2010.
Mitch Newell signed his name to buy this property one week before 9-11, from Mr. Pritchard and has really enjoyed the life here. He has weathered the storms and rode the waves of the good times as well, wood crafting for the biggest of spenders and crafting for the littlest of future sailors in the form of custom made bassinets. Retirement is starting to look enticing after restoring the covered wet shed and completing some other projects around
Vessel under repair inside the wet shed at Newell’s
the yard. Several of the boats in the marina are rocking gently in the background as a white heron dives for a fish. There is a big for sale sign in the front yard. It is a good life, tucked back on the creek with the breeze blowing. The phone rings, a customer is looking to get some woodwork repaired on their boat. “If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I like a challenge,” he remarks. Running my hand along the smooth and shiny custom boat cabinetry that he refinished, I can tell the one thing he really likes is putting out a good, quality product.
A true craftsman, Mitch has some smaller side work in tribute to the littlest of sailors to be. His custom wood crafted bassinets and custom cradles are a work of art. When asked about what wood is best, “…there is nothing prettier than a brand new salt treated deck. Teak and ash is nice to work with, but you don’t want to make a mistake working with it. Mahogany works good, but if you can get ahold of some Alaskan Cedar, the grain goes so easy, you can use your block plains and just cut right on through it.”
Mitch Newell shows off his hand crafted baby cradle
Check out the finished article complete with layout here. (Shown below)
Small Business Profile – Newell’s Boat Works
August 9, 2023
Newell’s Boatworks – Over 25 Years of Fine Finishes
Nestled in the back of Portsmouth’s Shea Terrace neighborhood along Scott’s Creek, sits Newell’s Boat Works, a wooden boat restoration shop and 30 slip marina owned and operated by Mitch Newell. Newell’s Boat Works was established in 1998, but the property dates back to 1858, the year Portsmouth was chartered as an independent city. The original railway was how boats used to be pulled up onto dry docks.
“Old Man Shea built this railway in 1859 to haul out his oyster boats. He has descendants that still live in this neighborhood.” The Flagship Restaurant adjacent to Newell’s Boat Works used to be the place to go on
Newell’s Marina on Scott’s Creek
Friday and Saturday nights. Fresh crabs and oysters coming in off the waters and heading straight to the kitchens meant a robust & packed house.
Mitch Newell specializes in yacht restorations – both wooden and fiberglass. His custom wood work is a sight to behold and in demand. He has clients who have sent him to Florida to do his specialized wood restoration on their yachts. His motto on boats and marinas is “if you can’t stay on top of it, it will be going down fast.” He doesn’t mind traveling to Fort Lauderdale, and has many stories to tell of good times there.
Vintage Beauty
The Lyman before and after. Lyman boats were founded in Cleveland, OH in 1878 and were made up until 1973.
The Lyman is Mitch Newell’s boat and takes center stage when you walk into Newell’s Boat Works. The incredible restoration done on this boat was an award winner at the St. Michael’s Wooden Boat Show in 2010.
Mitch Newell signed his name to buy this property one week before 9-11, from Mr. Pritchard and has really enjoyed the life here. He has weathered the storms and rode the waves of the good times as well, wood crafting for the biggest of spenders and crafting for the littlest of future sailors in the form of custom made bassinets. Retirement is starting to look enticing after restoring the covered wet shed and completing some other projects around
Vessel under repair inside the wet shed at Newell’s
the yard. Several of the boats in the marina are rocking gently in the background as a white heron dives for a fish. There is a big for sale sign in the front yard. It is a good life, tucked back on the creek with the breeze blowing. The phone rings, a customer is looking to get some woodwork repaired on their boat. “If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I like a challenge,” he remarks. Running my hand along the smooth and shiny custom boat cabinetry that he refinished, I can tell the one thing he really likes is putting out a good, quality product.
Before Restoration. After Restoration.
Newell’s Boat Works, Inc
Calmer Seas
Mitch Newell shows off his hand crafted baby cradle
Check out the finished article complete with layout here. (Shown below)