The speaker series is set for the 34th Annual WoodenBoat Show. Small-boat enthusiasts will have a chance to learn more about the Chesapeake sculling method (below left), as well as how to build a solo whitewater dory (below right).

WoodenBoat Show 2026 Speakers’ Series

Friday, June 26

Albert Pollard | Chesapeake Sculling Revived
12:30 p.m.

In 2025, Albert Pollard made a resolution to teach himself to scull in the manner of the old-timers on Chesapeake Bay. Along the way, he learned that this method of wagging a paddle across the stern is, essentially, undocumented and appears to be unique in the world. Join him as he battles winds, waves, and museum curators to uncover the history, method, and evolution of sculling without an oarlock. The talk will be followed by an outdoor demonstration of the technique and tips for best results.

Shannon McKenzie | Resilience Planning for the Coastal Museum
2:30 p.m.

Mystic Seaport Museum faces a challenge shared by coastal communities across the country and around the world: rising seas and increasing flooding risk. Building upon years of green initiatives, the museum is taking a comprehensive, campuswide approach to long-term climate adaptation across its historic waterfront. Shannon, the museum’s vice president for watercraft operations, will describe the master plan addressing the challenge of living alongside the water with tidal flooding and continuing to improve the visitor experience.

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Saturday, June 27

David Sianez | Constructing a Solo Whitewater Dory
10:30 a.m.

David Sianez, who teaches boat construction at Central Connecticut State University, will discuss design and building techniques presented in his new book, Constructing a Solo Whitewater Dory. These specialized boats must shed large volumes of water, maintain watertight storage capacity for gear and food even when rolled over, and adeptly maneuver in powerful whitewater rivers. The step-by-step construction narrative, with ample color photos accompanying the text, is intended for first-time builders, and he’ll describe the techniques used for these plywood-epoxy boats, one of which is on exhibit in the “I Built It Myself” section of this year’s WoodenBoat Show.

Juan Pablo Sarmiento Torres | The State of Boatbuilding Education in America
12:30 p.m.

The Teaching With Small Boats Alliance connects organizations across the United States that use boatbuilding as a tool for education, youth development, and workforce readiness. In this talk, subtitled “Building More Than Boats,” TWSBA’s Executive Director Juan Pablo Sarmiento Torres will share where the field stands today, drawing on TWSBA’s Boatbuilding Educators Fellowship, its national Boatbuilding Certification, and its annual conference bringing practitioners together to advance the work. Before joining TWSBA, JP led the sailing program at Rocking the Boat in the Bronx, New York, and spent a decade in documentary filmmaking and advertising. Originally from Colombia, he brings to this work a deep commitment to experiential learning and expanding who gets to belong in the maritime world.

Kristi and Gary Maynard | VIOLET — A Love Story
2:30 p.m.

The wooden boat at the heart of Kristi and Gary Maynard’s story about life, love, and family was worth saving—twice. Gary started sailing round the world as a kid aboard the Spray replica SCUD out of Noank, Connecticut, and Kristi raced around yacht club buoys in Vineyard Haven. They met aboard the schooner SHENANDOAH and 35 years ago went on to rebuild VIOLET, a Scottish Zulu fishing boat then 80 years old. They raised a family aboard, chartered, rebuilt other vintage boats, and then cruised VIOLET as far as the South Pacific and Alaska. After selling the boat, they watched from afar for 12 years as she slowly deteriorated and nearly sank. The boat was 115 years old when they decided to rescue her again, concluding her second major rebuild over the winter of 2025–26.

Don’t miss these fascinating presentations, as well as the Skills Demonstrations at the 2026 WoodenBoat Show. Click the button below to order your tickets.

WoodenBoat Show, June 27

Graham McKay is Executive Director and Master Boatbuilder for Lowell’s Boat Shop in Amesbury, Massachusetts. In 2023, he joined Brad Dimock, Cricket Rust, and Douglas Brooks to form The Dory Heritage Project, a group dedicated to recording endangered boatbuilding traditions.

Milford Buchanan (left) and Graham McKay.

Their first project focused on Milford Buchanan of Nova Scotia and his process in building the Shelburne Dory. The group documented every step and nuance as they worked side-by-side with Buchanan on the iconic small boat, which had been one of the most-built wooden rowboats from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. They published Buchanan’s process and their experience in How the Old Fella Done It, recording a tradition that was in danger of being lost forever.

Graham will discuss his work with The Dory Heritage Project during the WoodenBoat Show speaker series. His presentation starts at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 27. Visit the WoodenBoat Show event page for more information.

WoodenBoat Show, June 28

A dinghy cruiser travels light—spiritually as well as physically—and the freedom that this opens up is both precious and increasingly rare in the modern world.

Author, sailing videographer, and president of the Dinghy Cruising Association, Roger Barnes, will introduce audience members to dinghy cruising—exploring coastal and inland waters on small, light, and inexpensive craft—at the 2025 WoodenBoat Show. He will cover suitable boats and the simple gear and equipment required for safety and comfort.

The lecture will explore the places that can be visited in small boats and discuss their ability to reach remote and unexplored areas. With a trailerable boat, you can sail at a different place every weekend, exploring a wealth of coastlines and new inland waters.

Don’t miss Roger’s lecture at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. Visit the WoodenBoat Show event page for more information.

Roger Barnes is author of The Dinghy Cruising Companion: Tales and Advice From Sailing a Small Open Boat, 2nd Edition. His next book, Sailing the Shallows: The Lost Art of Cruising the Coast in a Small Boat will be published on September 25, 2025.

Pieter Roos: The Wells Boat Hall—WoodenBoat Show, June 27

Pieter Roos, senior curator of the American Watercraft Collection at the new Wells Boat Hall

Mystic Seaport has amassed the largest collection of small watercraft in the country, with 470 boats. Opening in 2026, a new 34,000-square-foot space will house a third of that collection.

Located in the historic Rossie Velvet Mill in Connecticut, the new Wells Boat Hall will exhibit vessels from the museum’s collection, telling the stories of work and pleasure craft from 1824 through the present and of the people who designed, built, and used them. Until now, this space had only been available to private tours.

According to the Mystic Seaport Museum website, an estimated $15 million capital investment will allow the museum to convert the warehouse into a public exhibition space, including a new visitor entrance, repairs to the existing roof, and upgrades to heating and cooling.

Join Pieter Roos, senior curator of the American Watercraft Collection at the new Wells Boat Hall, to hear some stories of boats and about the plans for the installation of this remarkable new center. His presentation at the 2025 WoodenBoat Show starts at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27. Visit the WoodenBoat Show event page for more information.

To learn more about the Wells Boat Hall and how to donate, visit the project page at MysticSeaport.org/wells-boat-hall.