Event Hosted in Partnership with WoodenBoat Publications
The largest gathering of wooden boats and enthusiasts in New England will converge at Mystic Seaport for the 21st annual WoodenBoat Show Friday through Sunday, June 29 to July 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The three-day WoodenBoat Show, hosted in a partnership with WoodenBoat Publications, has been described by Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide as “one of Connecticut’s top 20 events for the summer.” The Show offers something for all wooden boat enthusiasts and maritime history buffs. More than 100 traditional and classic wooden boats of every type will be on display, from hand-crafted kayaks, to mahogany runabouts, to classic daysailers and schooners.
A special focus this year will be on the traditional skills used in the ongoing restoration of the Museum’s 1841 whaleship, Charles W. Morgan. Mystic Seaport shipwrights and staff will demonstrate steaming and fitting planks, fastening wood with wooden pegs called “trunnels,” hand tool techniques for shaping wood with broadaxes and adzes, and many other boat building skills. There will be special guided tours of the Morgan, a multimedia presentation on her history, and a lecture on the complex challenge of rigging her for her 38th Voyage in 2014.
In addition to viewing historic ships and beautiful boats, visitors can find everything they need to outfit their boat and learn new skills at demonstrations and workshops throughout the Museum. More than 140 vendors will offer items for sale including maritime art, antiques, tools, books, nautical gear, innovative items, and much more.
Those interested in the construction of smaller boats can stop by the Family BoatBuilding tent, where more than 20 families and teams will work to build their own canoe or skiff during the weekend. Purchased kits are opened at 9 a.m. Friday morning and tools are put down around 3 p.m. Sunday, leaving, in most cases, a boat awaiting only final finish work. Some boats will be launched at the Show.
For the third year, the popular Skua class of racing motorboats will compete on the Mystic River beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Skua is an eight-foot outboard motorboat based on a classic 1939 design.
Other events include the return of “I Built it Myself,” a display of home-built boats; a Concours d’Elegance, including Judges’ Choice, Innovation, and People’s Choice awards; children’s toy boatbuilding; and all of the Mystic Seaport exhibits.
A tribute dinner to honor the Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway of Vineyard Haven, Mass., will be hosted by WoodenBoat magazine in the Museum’s Boat Shed Saturday, June 30, at 6 p.m. Tickets for the dinner must be purchased in advance by June 22 by calling the WoodenBoat Store at 800.273.7447 or by visiting www.woodenboatstore.com. Dinner tickets are $35 and seating is limited for the event.
Museum admission gains access to both the WoodenBoat Show and Mystic Seaport. Admission is good for two days upon ticket validation
The WoodenBoat Show is produced by WoodenBoat Publications, Inc., which includes WoodenBoat magazine, Professional BoatBuilder magazine, the WoodenBoat Store, the WoodenBoat School, and the WoodenBoat Show. The WoodenBoat Show is an annual festival celebrating the design and craftsmanship of wooden craft.
More information and ticket sales can be found at www.thewoodenboatshow.com.
About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, the oldest American commercial vessel still afloat. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/.
