Doyle Sails is proud to announce a new partnership with sailor and storyteller Luc Milam and his 1951 Herreshoff 28, Holiday, a yacht that perfectly captures the enduring spirit of simplicity, craftsmanship, and life at sea.
Designed by renowned naval architect L. Francis Herreshoff, the H28 was conceived as a vessel capable of taking sailors wherever they wish to go; without excess, without complication, and without compromising the joy of the journey. As Herreshoff himself wrote, “Simplicity afloat is the surest guarantee of happiness.”
That philosophy is alive and well aboard Holiday, a boat that prioritises form while delivering quiet, capable function, easily underway, thoughtfully designed, and deeply connected to the traditions of wooden boatbuilding.
Luc Milam discovered Holiday at just 24 years old, fresh from a season crewing aboard a 1927 wooden schooner along the Maine coast. Though he admits he “really didn’t know how to sail,” the connection was immediate and undeniable.
Despite the boat being well beyond his means, a handshake agreement with her previous owner saw Luc take over as steward, paying her off over time. What followed was not just ownership, but a relationship.
In their first summer together, Luc sailed over 1,000 miles single-handed along the coast of Maine, learning the boat, the rhythms of the sea, and himself in real time. There were no extensive refits before launch, no over-preparation. Just a decision to go sailing.
That winter, Holiday went into the barn. After a season of giving, it was time to give back. Luc spent months immersed in restoration, discovering that the beauty of traditional wooden boats lies as much in the work as it does in the sailing. By the following summer, the bond between sailor and vessel had deepened. Together, they explored further, while also creating meaningful storytelling projects, including the film Stewardship, which captures the relationship between people and the things that inspire awe, and the responsibility to care for them.
The summer of 2026 marks Holiday’s 75th anniversary, a milestone that will be celebrated with a journey true to her origins. Luc will sail Holiday north, tracing a path through Maine’s rugged Bold Coast, out to Grand Manan, across the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy, and onward to Nova Scotia. Unravelling the story of where she came from, and honouring the legacy she carries.
As part of this partnership, Doyle Sails joins Holiday as the sailmaker of choice, delivering custom sails that respect the yacht’s heritage while subtly advancing her performance through modern design and materials.
Working closely with the Doyle Sails global design team, every detail has been carefully considered. From panel layout and seam detailing to matching original hardware and fittings, the sails have been crafted to sit seamlessly within the aesthetic and integrity of this classic yacht.
The sails are in the final stages in Salem, where Doyle Sails expert Will Hundahl, who is ensuring that traditional elements, such as existing slides and hardware are preserved wherever possible. Once complete, the sails will be fitted onboard in Maine, bringing the project full circle.
Danielle Burridge, Global Head of Marketing at Doyle Sails, explains: “This partnership has been forged on beautiful storytelling, ensuring Doyle Sails customers can come along for the adventure. Luc and Holiday represent the way craftsmanship and the timelessness of classic yachts are intertwined with a deep love of storytelling. We’re excited to see this journey shared so beautifully with our global audience, who we know will be drawn into the experience.”
Speaking on the partnership, Luc Milam adds, “Living in a place so rich with maritime culture, it is a bold claim, but I have yet to meet another recreational sailor who commits more of their summers to sailing here in Maine than I get to with Holiday. In a seasonal place like Maine, you get five months out there if you are lucky, and last season I managed to set sail on more than 100 days. We managed to do that with 15-year-old sails and while Holiday never complained, she has certainly earned some new canvas.
We are so thrilled to partner with Doyle Sails, a loft steeped in New England’s maritime history, to outfit Holiday with a fresh set of sails for our biggest season yet. It has been so incredible to work alongside the team in New Zealand to find the balance between performance and tradition and outfit Holiday with the perfect sails for her. It has been a privilege to work with Will Hundahl out of Salem to bring the sails to life, he is another young person who respects tradition and understands the need for young people to carry sailing forward.”
Luc will not be undertaking the voyage alone. Living aboard Holiday this season is his recently adopted companion, Lucky, a deaf rescue dog who has already become part of the story, learning the rhythms of life at sea and preparing for the adventure ahead.
With Holiday entering her 75th year, this partnership is more than a collaboration; it is a shared commitment to preserving tradition, embracing innovation, and telling stories that resonate far beyond the water.
Doyle Sails customers and followers alike are invited to step aboard and experience the journey as it unfolds.
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ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // Doyle Sails strives to deliver success through high-performance, high-quality, custom sails that continue to redefine the boundaries of sailmaking technology and innovation; whilst connecting sailors to inspire, support and encourage sailing.
Our obsession with sailing takes us to every corner of the world and onboard every yacht. We become part of teams, share in the adventures of friends and families, sharing our knowledge and experience with those with the same passion. Sailing is in our DNA, and we are the custodians of a legacy that has been supporting sailors for four decades and counting.