Mystic Seaport to Host Live Boatbuilding at the WoodenBoat Show

Over 25 Families to Build a Boat in Three Days at 20th Annual Event


Mystic, Conn.  – Family boatbuilding returns to Mystic Seaport at the 20th Annual WoodenBoat Show Friday through Sunday, June 24-26, from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Over 25 families will work to build their own canoe or skiff during the weekend. Kits purchased by the families are opened at 9:00 a.m. Friday morning and tools are put down around 3:00 p.m., leaving, in most cases, a boat awaiting only final finish work. Some boats will be launched at the Show.


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 a 70-foot Scottish fishing boat.


In addition to viewing beautiful boats in the water, visitors can find everything they need to outfit their boat and learn new skills at demonstrations and workshops throughout the Museum. Over 170 vendors will offer items for sale including maritime art, antiques, tools, books, nautical gear, innovative items, and much more.


For the second year in a row, the popular Skua class of racing motorboats will compete on the Mystic River beginning at 2:30 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 20 reader-built boats, Concours d’Elegance, including Judge’s Choice, Innovation, and People’s Choice awards, children’s toy boatbuilding, and all of the Mystic Seaport exhibits.


A tribute dinner to honor boatbuilder and teacher Lance Lee will be hosted by WoodenBoat magazine in the Museum’s Boat Shed Saturday, June 25, at 6 p.m. Tickets for the dinner must be purchased in advance by June 20 from the WoodenBoat Store by visiting www.woodenboatstore.com


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.

 

 

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 Charles W. Morgan, the last remaining wooden whaleship in the world. For more information, please visit www.mysticseaport.org.