Readers of WoodenBoat will be familiar with Maynard Bray. He has been the technical editor of the magazine for over 40 years. He writes those insightful captions for the Calendar of Wooden Boats, he has had various regular features in WoodenBoat, like "A Matter of Detail", and "Save a Classic". And he has authored several books.

Prior to WoodenBoat, Maynard has quite an interesting background. After earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine, he went to work for Electric Boat in Groton, CT in 1956, followed by a six-year stint at Bath Iron Works. By the time he finished there in 1969, he’d become their Chief Mechanical Engineer. He spent the next six years at Mystic Seaport as shipyard supervisor. After leaving Mystic for Maine in the mid-1970s, he stayed involved with Mystic Seaport into the early 2000s: he continued sourcing wood for the museum’s endless restorations, serving on the Ships and Yachting Committees, rescuing important collections of ships’ plans from being thrown out, and as one of the Museum’s trustees. And if you've seen / listened to any of Off Center Harbor's pieces on steam bending and other items, you've seen/heard Maynard. 

Maynard has gifted the Penobscot Marine Museum with his photographic collection comprising over 20,000 images, of which 10,000 have been digitized so far. Follow that link and you can help pitch-in with the project.

Here are some of the books by Maynard Bray

Herreshoff of Bristol

How to Build the Haven 12-1/2 Footer

Worthy of the Sea

Building The Nutshell Pram

Guide to Wooden Boats

Book of Wooden Boats III

Designs to Inspire*

Aida

Half Models by the Lift Method

Herreshoff: American Masterpieces

*the photo at the top of the page is from the back cover of this book, published by WoodenBoat in 2000, with the caption: At the present time, fulfilled by their lifelong passion for wooden boats, and their children—Kathy, Nat, and Sarah—out on their own, Anne and Maynard are searching for a vintage Vespa and the youthful feeling that goes with it.