Mike Martel has an extensive background restoring wooden boats, but his latest acquisition was an easy lift.

“There was not much that needed to be done because it was so well maintained up in Maine,” he said, of his new-to-him classic “lobster cruiser” ANNA MARY.

Nearly a century old (but with a low-hours diesel engine on board) she was built in 1928 by the Thomaston Boat Company. Purchased in Brooklin, Maine, he and his business partner Tom Bradford spent four days motoring it home to Bristol back in May, with stops in Deer Isle and Portland Maine and Hingham, Mass.

“I was looking for something with style, and this boat was in beautiful condition,” Martel said.

Indeed, it has style to spare. Beamy, with ample shade from the sun (but room out back if sun is what you are seeking) it has more than enough room for the six passengers it is rated for.

Initially, Martel and his wife Denise were just looking for a classic motorboat to replace their sailboat and spend time on the water with their grandchildren. Then Martel realized it would be a great opportunity to share Bristol with others.

“We can show other people what a beautiful place Bristol is," he said. "And there’s so much history here, that you can see right from the harbor.”

His partner in this new venture, Bristol Classic Cruises, is Tom Bradford of Tiverton, whose 50-year career on the water took his from the Merchant Marines to serving as a Captain on a Herreshoff schooner and an engineer on a tugboat. “Tom and I have been sailing together for a long time,” said Martel.

A standard itinerary for a Bristol Classic Cruise is a 90-minute to 2-hour loop through Bristol Harbor and around Hog Island, complete with history and stories of the sights onshore. But Martel and Bradford stress that they are completely flexible, and could customize longer tours, head up into Mt. Hope Bay or the beach at Sand Point on Prudence Island to anchor. Though they cannot sell alcohol on board, guests are welcome to bring their own, and they are happy to help provision for onboard picnics.

With a typical tour speed of 5-8 knots, this is a trip to enjoy at leisure; there’s no hurry to do anything but take in the sights, and perhaps the sunset. Though the ANNA MARY is probably most suited for the typically calm seas of mornings in Bristol, tours can be arranged during any daylight hours. Bradford mentioned that in addition to small gatherings and parties, their service would be a great fit for wedding parties looking to have a show-stopping arrival at their waterfront wedding.

A website is in the works, but in the meantime, you can find Bristol Classic Cruises on Facebook, or call 401-296-4365.