Mystic Seaport Hosts 17th Annual WoodenBoat Show

Event Hosted in Partnership with WoodenBoat Publications

Sea Scouts Work on Dory

Several live boatbuilding events will be featured at the 17th annual WoodenBoat Show held at Mystic Seaport Friday through Sunday, June 27-29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Three groups of Sea Scouts from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania will build a 17' wherry and launch it at the Show. The Scouts first built a boat at the WoodenBoat Show last year and have since used the boat for rowing practice.

"Exposing youth to the appreciation of something built by hand is invaluable. I love seeing the 'Look what I did!' satisfaction in the Scout's eyes when they make their own boat," said Marshall Parson, Sea Scout coordinator.

An additional event at the WoodenBoat Show will be the assembly of the interior of a 14' reproduction Chris Craft Barracuda. Though the hull and decks of the boat are complete, Show-goers will be able to see the completion of this popular kit’s interior.

On the Village Green, WoodenBoat Publications will be working with a family building the Babson Island 14, a versatile and stable skiff, designed by Tom Hill and Jon Wilson. In addition to a rowing model, plans include a sailing skiff and a slightly modified version that accommodates a small electric or gas outboard. Designed as entry-level projects for first-time wooden boat builders, or easy builds for seasoned professionals, these skiffs can be constructed using plywood or traditional methods with cedar planking and oak frames.

Babson Island in progress

Described by Yankee Magazine's Travel Guide as "one of Connecticut's Top 20 Events for the Summer," the three-day WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport offers something for all wooden boat enthusiasts and marine history buffs. Traditional classics and contemporary wooden boats of every type, both sail and power, will be on display including cruising yachts, launches, runabouts, fishing boats, performance powerboats, daysailers, dinghies, rowboats, canoes, performance shells, multihulls and racing boats.

In addition to more than 75 beautiful boats in the water, visitors can enjoy browsing through three tents and extensive land exhibits hosting nearly 200 exhibitors, including boatbuilders, sail makers, marine adhesive and coatings companies, boat schools and associations, tools, wooden boat hardware, books, nautical antiques and artists.

Other activities include exhibitor demonstrations, workshops by industry experts, a daily film and author series, the 2nd Annual Concours d'Elegance with People's Choice, "I Built it Myself" - a collection of owner-built wooden boats, and a Multihull Pioneer Tribute and Dinner, in addition to all of the exhibits and activities at Mystic Seaport.

Museum admission gains access to both the WoodenBoat Show and Mystic Seaport offering a family-friendly activity at a great value.

To learn more about the annual WoodenBoat Show, and to sign up to receive the Show newsletter, visit www.thewoodenboatshow.com. Exhibitor information can be found at the web site, or by calling Kate Holden at WoodenBoat Publications, at 207.359.4651, or by emailing kate@woodenboat.com. For tickets, call 800.273.7447 or visit www.woodenboatstore.com.

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