Over time, work for local craftsmen building sailboats, furniture and summer homes for the Americans became part of the economic engine too. During the winter months the Stevens' Boat Yard would built a yacht for Jay Wells. This yacht would be sailed here in the summer, then sailed to the United States, usually crewed by men from the village, to take part in the Bermuda Race and finally sold at the end of the season. This was repeated a number of time throughout the years. So did looking after these homes and skippering many of the new boats. By 1910 about fifty American families were coming to Chester for the summer season, and many others came for shorter stays. As a result, during the 1920s and 1930s, Chester's population of about 1200 would double during the summer season. The significant financial impact of these visitors would be a cornerstone of Chester's economic life until the beginning of the Second World War.