Event Hosted in Partnership with WoodenBoat Publications
Mystic, Conn. (June 6, 2013) — The largest gathering of wooden boats and enthusiasts in New England will converge at Mystic Seaport for the annual WoodenBoat Show Friday through Sunday, June 28-30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The WoodenBoat Show, hosted in a partnership with WoodenBoat Publications, 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 sailboats and schooners.
A special feature this year will be six newly-built whaleboats for the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. The boats are part of a 10-boat national project to construct replica whaleboats to be carried onboard the ship on her 38th Voyage in 2014. Organizations from around the country are building the 28-foot long open boats for Mystic Seaport. The boats at the show will be from the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia; New York City’s Rocking the Boat; Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway of Vineyard Haven, MA; Beetle Boat Shop of Wareham, MA; the New Bedford Whaling Museum; the Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville, MI; and The Apprenticeshop of Rockland, ME. The Apprenticeshop builders plan to sail and row their boat from Maine to Mystic over the course of five days.
During the weekend, the Morgan will be located on the Museum’s lift dock over the Mystic River in preparation for her launch on July 21. Visitors will be able to view the exposed hull and go on board.
In addition to taking in the 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 weekend. More than 100 vendors will offer items for sale including maritime art, antiques, tools, books, nautical gear, and much more.
Those interested in the construction of smaller boats can stop by the Family BoatBuilding tents, where families and teams will work to build their own boat 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.
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 Steve White of Brooklin Boat Yard and Taylor Allen of Rockport Marine will be hosted by WoodenBoat magazine in the Museum’s Boat Shed at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Tickets for the dinner may be purchased until the morning of June 24 by calling the WoodenBoat Store at 800.273.7447 or online at the WoodenBoat Store (http://www.woodenboatstore.com). Dinner tickets are $40 and seating is limited for this event.
Museum admission provides 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/.
