Small Boats Archives - Small Boats Magazine

Tag: Small Boats

Build Your Own Dory Boat Rocker

Click here to reserve your spot and learn more details about this class and all of our adult classes currently on the schedule. Perfect timing to make a gift for a child on your holiday giving list!

Instructor: Bob Fuller is a 3rd generation master craftsman. He owns South Shore Boatworks, and specializes in building traditional wooden ships wheels and patternmaking for bronze hardware, as well as building and restoring wooden small craft. Bob teaches classes at the WoodenBoat School. He has demonstrated his skills at National Park Service events, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, and The Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Bob lives in Plymouth, MA with his wife Peggy and daughter Christina.

Christina Fuller is a 4th generation wheel builder, working with her dad to design and build ships wheels. She assists with teaching Plymouth Rock’r classes.

Port Aransas Preservation Association Wooden Boat Festival

Our organization has operated the Farley Boat Works in Port Aransas, Texas since 2011.  We help individuals and families build small wooden boats.  Each year we have our Wooden Boat Festival inviting any owners of wooden boats to come and display their boats and we sell kits that we manufacture so that 5 families can build their own boat over the 3-day weekend of our event.

This year our Festival will occur from October 25th through October 27th at Robert’s Point Park, located next to the City’s Public Marina.  We will have both an area in the park where boats on trailers can be displayed as well as dock space for in the water displays.

In addition to the boats we will have many activities for families, an area for vendors to sell their items, and music both day & night.

Wellfleet Rowing Rendezvous

The Rendezvous will take place on Sept. 12, 2024, approximately from 11AM to 3PM, Mayo Beach, Wellfleet, MA

Rendezvous is FREE!!

– Hope you can come and row some great boats, and enjoy a few hours on beautiful Mayo Beach in Wellfleet. The Town launching ramp is available for free if you would like to bring a boat, and I encourage you to do so. If you do plan to bring a boat, please try to let me know. It’s not a requirement, but it’s nice to know . Please include an anchor and pfd’s .

Use of the launching ramp at the Wellfleet pier is free for people attending the Rendezvous.Juts let them know.

We will have water available to refill your personal water bottle, so bring one with you.

CBMM Model Guild Sailing Races

CBMM’s Model Guild invites general-admission guests to watch model skipjack races on select dates from May-November.

These radio-controlled (RC) sailing races take place on CBMM’s Fogg’s Cove waterfront from 11am–1pm. After the races are over, the course buoys will be left in place for CBMM members and guests to sail their own RC boats. All races are dependent on marine conditions. Learn more here.

For more information about the Model Guild or its races, contact Model Guild President and CBMM Lead Volunteer Gary Nylander at [email protected].

Atlantic Challenge

Every two years, a dozen nations convene for a friendly competition and cross cultural gathering were crews showcase their seamanship skills in a series of rowing, sailing, docking, knot tying and navigation events, and build friendly ties with the international crews.
Beyond on-the-water skills, the Contest will further global understanding and build friendly ties internationally. is one small way we can help move quarreling humanity toward a path of cooperation and peace. We believe getting young people together in boats, learning difficult manual skills, competing for shared success and living and eating together for 12 days has the power to transcend cultural, political and linguistic barriers. Indeed, this is the basis for the development of trust, connection and friendship.
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Contestants are young adults: all crew members must be over 15; at least half will be under 22. 

The Contest events take place in the Bantry Bay gigs, which are copies of 18th-century French Navy Captain’s gigs. These vessels are 38ft long and are powered by three sails and ten oars. Each nation has their own vessel for the contest.

Lance Lee, of Rockland, Maine, co-founded the Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship with Bernard & Michelle Cadoret, of France in 1984 as a way to bring young adults of different cultures together while also preserving traditional seamanship. The first two gigs Liberté and Egalité were built at the Rockport Apprenticeshop, in Rockport, Maine and the first Contest was held in New York City in July 1986.

More than 80 gigs have been built by 16 nations for participation in Atlantic Challenge. Typically 12 nations gather for the biennial Contest of Seamanship.

There has been a Contest every two years from 1986-2018. Atlantic Challenge USA is hosting the 2024 Contest.

SALISH 100

Overnight stops along the route are Henderson Inlet, Longbranch, Gig Harbor, Blake Island Marine State Park, Kingston, and Port Ludlow Marina before reaching our final destination in Port Townsend. Due to the Salish 100’s length and challenging waters an application must be completed prior to joining the event. Information: Salish100.org, facebook.com/groups/285180382147515/ and for questions please email directly at [email protected]

The fleet of small boats range from SCAMPs to Whitehalls, wherries, sharpies, melonseeds and flatiron skiffs; this includes a variety of smaller production sailboats and dozens of home-built sailing and rowing boats.

Along the route, small-boat skippers from across the states and other countries will experience everything the Salish Sea has to offer: currents racing through narrow channels, tide rips, sandbars, rocky shores, wonderfully protected anchorages, wind conditions ranging from flat calm to small-craft warnings, encounters with wildlife , and some new friendships that’ll last a lifetime. Many of the participants come from inland states to experience saltwater boating—tidal ranges of up to 14 feet—for the first time. Others drive thousands of miles to attend.

The Cruise works its way from Olympia to Port Townsend at 10-16 nautical miles a day, with overnight stops at:

  • Henderson Inlet
  • Longbranch, Filucy Bay
  • Gig Harbor
  • Blake Island State Park
  • Kingston
  • Port Ludlow

The final day of travel brings cruisers to the victorian seaport of Port Townsend.

More information can be found in the Cruise Information Packet.

Apostle Islands Cruise – 22 Catalina 22s

An adventure like no other! Often referred to as the “Caribbean of the North” this lake is unsalted and shark free! Launch from Bayfield, Wisconsin for a week-long adventure filled with lighthouses, amazing sunsets, and pristine beaches. catalina22.org/

Join us this year for the Apostle Islands Cruise August 12 to 17, 2024. It will be an adventure like no other. Often referred to as the “Caribbean of the North” this lake is unsalted and shark free! Well, that is if you don’t include my boat “Lake Shark”. We will launch from Bayfield, Wisconsin for a weeklong adventure filled with lighthouses, amazing sunsets, and pristine beaches.

So, make plans now to register for what was a favorite cruise in 2022 and now back for a new adventure in 2024. With 22 islands to explore, there’s never enough time to see them all. Still, we will have a great mix of anchoring out and marina stops. Of course, there is still the option to join us for a shorter cruise if a week is just more fun than you are quite ready for.

This year, please note that securing a marina slip is on your own and must be booked in advance. We plan to stay in a slip Monday August 12 and Thursday August 15. Slips on Madeline Island this year are running just over $70 for the night, and I would expect the same in Bayfield, but I am still working with the city to see if we can work out a deal. Full details on the cruise and plans can be found at:

Link to PLANS

So, stop dreaming and start living. That project boat has spent enough time in the driveway so let’s get it out there on the water. Afterall “if anything is gonna happen its gonna happen out there”- Capt. Ron. So, sign up today for the adventure of a lifetime and make some memories that you’ll share for generations. Registrations are available at:

Link to REGISTRATION

Blue Hill Maritime Heritage Festival

Mission Statement: To celebrate and preserve the significance of Blue Hill Bay to our history, economy and culture

This festival will take place on August 3rd at Blue Hill, Maine’s historic village waterfront. Various activities will be occurring throughout the day, such as boat building demonstrations, oar carving, traditional boats on display, kiosks of organizations supporting or involved with Blue Hill Bay. On the water there will be more boats, demonstrations, many offering rides. Musicians will be adding to the maritime atmosphere with sea shanties and fiddle tunes. The Downeast Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association will be hosting and cosponsoring. bhmhf.org

The Downeast Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association is proud to host and help sponsor the Festival. The Blue Hill Maritime Heritage Festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 5, 2023. We are planning a fun summer day by the bay, with a lot of maritime and historical related activities: boats, and boat building demonstrations, art on the lawn, sea shanties, seafood and more. If you’d like to participate, sponsor or volunteer let us know. Come join us for that fun summer day by the bay.

If you have a business or belong to an organization that would like to participate please fill out and submit: Exhibitor Contract(PDF) The Town of Blue Hill considers anyone not in a building to be a mobile vendor and therefore requires a permit if selling merchandise on town property. We will forward a permit application once your Exhibitor Contract is accepted.

Festival Content: Content should relate to Blue Hill Peninsula’s maritime heritage, Blue Hill Bay and it’s ecology.

There is no admission fee for the Festival. Donations to help fund the Festival will be accepted and appreciated. Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in making a tax deductible contribute to help support the Festival.

The Festival will be held in Blue Hill’s historic village, centered on the scenic waterfront. Various activities will be occurring throughout the day, such as boat building demonstrations, wood carving, traditional boats on display, kiosks of organizations supporting or involved with the bay. On the water there will be more boats, many offering rides. Musicians will be adding to the maritime atmosphere with sea shanties and fiddle tunes.

Festival activities start on Water Street, at the Blue Hill Historical Society’s Holt House. They will have ship captain’s artifacts on display along with other items depicting Blue Hill’s history. Across the street from the Holt House, Charlie the shark will be directing folks to the Shaw Institute. They will have their new touch tank, displays and docents explaining their environmental work and offering a microscopic look into the waters of our bay.

At the historic Pendleton House, PNB Interior Design/Arts will have nautical block print art, on paper, on kids tee shirts, and more. While next door at Bears n’ Me Captain Lee and Windrose Productions will have nautical books and DVD’s.

SeaLoft is across the street featuring women’s apparel, home goods, and gifts for all.

At the Town Wharf, The Downeast Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association will have boats on display and in the water, many offering rides. Hewes & Co. Marine Division will be explaining their CNC business, Wilson Museum with their rope making machine and very popular toy boats and pool, and Maine Maritime Academy will be under the tent. On the wharf Chase Small Craft, Brooks Boat Design, George Stevens Academy, and Cottrell Boatbuilding will also be joining us this year.

Emerson Park, adjacent to the Town Wharf, will be packed full of exhibitors. Penobscot Marine Museum will be returning bringing their popular photo booth.

Boats Partial list, check back for updates. On display (D) available for rides (R) sail (S)

Kids rowing at Blue Hill Festival

St Ayles Skiff – Blue Hill Community Rowing, R
North Haven Peapod TSCA, R
Nutshell Pram, TSCA, R
Shellback Dingy, TSCA, R
Stelmok 15′ solo canoe, TSCA, R
Deblois Street Sailing and Rowing Dory, TSCA, R, S
Compass Skiff 10, CSC, D, R
Echo Bay Dory Skiff, CSC, D, R
Points East Pram, CSC, D, R
Acorn 17, DSC, D
Drake 17, TSCA, D

Harry Bryan Thistle Fin Boat, TSCA, Peddle
CLC Chester Yawl 15, TSCA, D
Caledonia Yawl 19, TSCA, D

Music at Emerson Park

 

 

MUSIC – We have a great line up of musicians scheduled to play at “The Window of the Sea Wind” sculpture by Hitoshi Tanaka in Emerson Park.

10:00 AM – Waterbound

11:00 AM – April Grant

12 PM – Handsome Molly

1 PM -Stephen Sanfilippo

2 PM – Castlebay

3 PM – Calico

FOOD – Stone Fox Farm Creamery – Homemade ice cream

There will be water available donated by Mt Desert Spring Water

SPEAKER SERIES – Blue Hill Historical Society in conjunction with the Maritime Heritage Festival will present a series of talks at the Blue Hill Public Library and at Bagaduce Music.

 

SCALLYWAG CAMP 2024

SCALLYWAG, John Welsford’s newest creation, will be the second group build and again perhaps the fastest way to get on the water regardless of your boat building skill level. Be one of the first to build SCALLYWAG with the assistance of the designer and Howard Rice. Both gents are highly skilled and you will not only have their undivided attention as you build together but you will also have the chance to drive away with a highly accurate hull to finish. Then help from these two doesn’t stop there, online support, phone video discussions are part of our commitment to help you get on the water! The build will take place in the Great Lakes at a boat shop on an 80 acre estate with housing for builders just a stones throw away. Contact Howard at [email protected], thepocketyacht.com

 

Lodging
The build site is on an 80 acre private home estate and our hosts offer their home for builders. There are three bedrooms available so please let us know if you would like one. There is also superb camping on site and both instructors plan to camp. If you wish to pitch a tent let us know. The bathroom, kitchen and shower facilities in the house are shared by everyone.

When
SCALLYWAG Camp is scheduled to begin at 8am on Monday morning June 24th, and concludes mid day on July 5th. Builders are welcome to move their tools into the shop on June 23rd between 12 noon and 5pm. Lodging will be available starting June 23rd.

Work Days
The build begins on day one with a short orientation session to help familiarize each builder with the build process and management of the shop space. Each work day will begin at 8am and end at 5pm unless we are having too much fun and decide push on into the evening. Lunch is an hour at noon. Each lunch break will be an opportunity for the group to engage in a small boat chalk talk by the build instructor pertaining to the boats being built, small boat use or other related topics, which builders request. 

** Birds Mouth Mast Option **
One of the elements of the SCALLYWAG build that seems a bit daunting to builders is the construction of a hollow, tapered birds mouth mast. Last year before the 2023 SCAMP Camp the option was offered to produce masts during the Camp by working some evenings. As it turned out everyone enrolled selected the option and masts were built during the build. This option is being offered again in 2024 at a cost of $950. This cost covers the cost of materials including Sitka Spruce, epoxy, fillers and the instructors time. By any measure it is a bargain. Please select this option if interested as materials need to be sourced prior to the build.

Boat Trailer
You will need to bring a trailer for your new boat. It is suggested that a galvanized steel boat trailer is the most economical and actually perfectly suited for carrying your new boat. Any trailer with adjustable fore and aft bunks will work. A trailer with a long tongue makes it easy to back up while launching and retrieving.

Chase Small Craft – Spring Open Shop

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE SPRING AND THE COMING BOATING SEASON

Join us! Friends, customers, associates, vendors and supporters to talk boats, boat building, and the joy of making and using small boats. We will have light snacks and refreshments. Hopefully, the weather is good and doors will be open and the backyard displaying the boats that are here for a look see. Feel free to spread the word and bring family or friends. See you soon!

Park anywhere in our lot, preferably further in towards the end if there is space. Overflow parking can be found immediately one driveway south, if needed. Park there walk over.

Parking update!

If there are pick ups happening at the karate studio next door, you can park in the next lot south of us in the old driving range. There is a sandy pull off type area with plenty of room and a path to walk over to our property.

Contact Info: Clint Chase cell #207-602-9587 and if needed as back up Katy Nicketakis cell #207-615-9500

WaterTribe Everglades Challenge 2024

Tampa Bay To Key Largo In Sea Kayaks, Canoes and Small Boats

The next Everglades Challenge is  Saturday, March 1, 2025. There is registration and equipment inspection on Friday, February 28, 2025, prior to starting.  Cost is $495.00  for the captain and $495.00 for crew members if any.

Billing starts January 1.
Registration ends January 26 at noon.
Payment Deadline is January 26 at noon.

Due to the extreme commitment for this race late registration and/or late payments will not be allowed. We recommend that you commit to this race early so you have plenty of time for planning, training, and preparation. Pay early in the payment cycle. You can get a full refund up until January 26 at noon. No refunds after that date and time.

All WaterTribe events are dangerous events as defined by Florida law and common sense. You are responsible for your own safety. You must read and understand the warning before you register for this event.

The Everglades Challenge is an unsupported, expedition style adventure race for kayaks, canoes, and small boats. The distance is roughly 300 nautical miles depending on your course selection. There is a time limit of 8 days or less. Your safety and well being are completely up to you.

Unsupported means that there are no safety boats or support crews to help you during the race. You are not allowed to have a support crew follow you or meet you during the race. It is OK to have family or friends meet you at the official checkpoints, but they cannot provide anything other than emotional support. See the official WaterTribe rules for more details.

Expedition style means that you must carry the same type of equipment and supplies that you would carry on a major expedition lasting 4 weeks or more. Camping equipment, food, water, safety, communication, etc. is required. See the Rules and Warning link at the top of this page for the official required equipment list for more details.

Although this is a race, many participants are more interesting in cruising and adventure. Whether you are a cruiser or racer is up to you. Just getting to the starting line is a major accomplishment and only about 40% of starters are able to finish. You should be an expert kayaker and/or sailor before you consider this challenge.

SPECIAL NOTE 1:  You can earn an alligator tooth award by completing the entire Everglades Wilderness Waterway between Chokoloskee and Flamingo. There are specific rules for earning that tooth:

  • You must obey all Everglades National Park rules.
  • SPOT must be correctly used at all times.
  • You must complete the entire WW as shown on their official maps. You can exit at Broad River and return via Broad Creek. Using the Harney River from the outside is not allowed.
  • The Nightmare is an option. Some people say that taking the Nightmare is easier than negotiating Broad Creek from the entrance. The choice is yours.
  • Once you have reached Whitewater Bay you may follow the marked route or take the Joe River or any other route to cross the bay and enter Tarpon Creek and the Buttonwood Canal.
  • In some years challengers have taken the Hells Bay Canoe Trail to Tarpon Creek. Since this is marked on the official map, it is also OK.
  • You must portage your boat a short distance between the fresh water side and the salt water side at Flamingo. You cannot receive assistance from the Race Manager, CP Captain, or bystanders. Challengers participating in the event may assist other challengers (see the note below).

SPECIAL NOTE 2: In some previous years we have provided a boat cart or other assistance for the short portage at Flamingo. As of EC2011 and beyond a boat cart will not be provided and all challengers crossing from the fresh water side to the salt water side must do this short portage without outside assistance. No cart will be provided. You must carry your own if you plan to use one. If bystanders want to help they cannot. However, other WaterTribers who are in the same event can help – see the ad hoc team rule.

The Everglades Challenge follows the SW Florida coast line from Fort Desoto in Tampa Bay, Florida to Key Largo. You will enter Everglades National Park near Everglades City and you will be within their boundries until you get near Key Largo.  You must follow all park rules and regulations.

Note that the WaterTribe Marathon runs concurrently with the Everglades Challenge.  The schedule mentions both races.

Dorestad Raid NL

The Dorestad raid takes place annually from Wednesday evening to Sunday afternoon in September, each year taking a different route in the Netherlands.

Participants are to complete the entire route without the use of an engine. Playful competition elements are inevitable,  but it is not a real competition. The most important thing is that all are enjoying themselves.

Each day there is a stage which all participants should be able to complete, if necessary with some assistance. All however having due regard for the Terms and Conditions and the Safety Points.

In the morning there will be a briefing explaining the stage for the day and what you can encounter along the way.

Each day ends in afternoon at the place of destination, as agreed in the morning briefing. At the place of destination one will find the accompanying mother ship, the accommodation barge the ‘in Dubio’ of Leo and Hannah Versloot.

The price includes the evening meals, breakfasts and packed lunches, coffee and tea. Other drinks must be paid separately. All participants are, in accordance with the cores schedule, to help once during the raid setting and clearing the tables as well as doing the dishes. Please indicate your dietary requirements on the registration form.

For an additional price one can sleep on board the ‘in Dubio’. If so desired, bed linen is offered at an extra charge. Everything is to be specified on the registration form.

Please also note the Terms and Conditions and the Safety Points.

The English Raid – Plymouth Raid V3

The Raid will be based at the Mountbatten Water Sports and Activities Centre in Plymouth as in 2017 and 2015.

The Raid is taking place in school holidays in order to help those Raiders who have children (or Grandchildren) still at school. It is also the only dates that were available

We have booked all of the bedrooms as accommodation for the Raid.

Cars and trailers can be parked at the Centre.

There are spaces for up to 8 camper vans. Plug-in facilities for camper vans are available.  All Camper Van users will have 24-hour access to the Centre for showers and WC included within their charge. There are very few camping facilities nearby, although plenty of B&Bs and rental properties.

The boats will be launched, moored and recovered at Mountbatten Centre (MC).

The exact programme needs to remain as flexible as possible and will depend on tidal and weather conditions.  Thus, apart from Monday and Thursday evening/Friday morning, everything is fluid.

MONDAY 19th August

Day:

Arrival and registration

Evening:

18.00 Welcome reception

20.00 Supper

DAY A

Breakfast 07.30- 08.30

Briefing 09.00

Sail to Newton Ferrers

Racing on passage to and from Newton Ferrers

Lunch on beach and or pub

Return  Mount Batten

Supper 20.00 ( Location TBA )

DAY B

Breakfast 07.30- 08.30

Briefing 09.00

Sail to Cawsand for lunch,

Racing in Harbour

Return Mount Batten

Supper 20.00 ( Location TBA )

DAY C

Breakfast 07.30- 08.30

Briefing 09.00

Sail up the Tamar

Lunch possibly at Saltash Sailing Club

Racing on passage to and from
Saltash Sailing Club

Supper 20.00 ( Location TBA )

Thursday 22nd August EVENING

Some recovery of boats

Supper at Royal Western Yacht Club 20.00

Prize giving after supper

Friday 23rd August

Breakfast 07.30- 08.30

Recover boats/free sailing

ACCOMMODATION:

We have booked all of the bedrooms as accommodation for the Raid.  Cars and trailers can be parked at the Centre.  Plug-in facilities for up to 8 camper vans are available.  All Camper Van users will have 24-hour access to the Centre for showers and WC included within their charge. There are very few camping facilities nearby, although plenty of B&Bs and rental properties.

FOOD:

Breakfast for those with beds in the Mountbatten Centre is included. Camper Van residents and live-aboards can buy breakfasts at the Centre for £8.00 per head per day but these need to be booked the day before.

Packed lunches will be provided on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for all Raiders.

Supper will be provided on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings for all Raiders.

COST:

The cost of participation in the Raid is expected to be £300 per person (this includes 3 packed lunches, 4 dinners, mooring fees and car and trailer parking).

In addition the cost of room-based accommodation in the Mountbatten Centre (including breakfast) is £160 per person (Monday evening to Friday morning).  Please note that you may end up sharing a room with crew from another boat as there are only 26 rooms in the Centre. Couples will not be asked to share and will be given their own room.

If you wish to stay in a camper van on the premises the cost is £28 per day per van (including electric hook-up) i.e,£112 for the 4 nights from Monday to Friday.  Those in camper vans (or live-aboards) may purchase breakfasts from the Centre at £8.00 per head per day.  These breakfasts can be booked in advance or the day before.

There is no charge for children under 5 and children 5 – 12 will be 50% of the adult cost.

To book your place on the Raid please go to Register 2024  and complete the form and send it to us.   A booking deposit of £75 per boat will secure your place.

402410 61420933 and Raid England are the details you will need if using online banking

If you are making an overseas transfer you will need to know that HSBC is the bank and that Market Place, Henley-on-Thames, UK is the address together with some or all of the below.  I have recently been using a system called Wise (https://wise.com) very successfully with much better exchange rates than most banks but contact me first to discuss the best way of paying.  If you insist upon using a traditional bank please can you “pay” the transfer fees as well because UK banks charge us a lot for accepting money from outside the UK.

IBAN: GB58HBUK40241061420933

Branch BIC (BIC 11): HBUKGB4113V

Bank BIC (BIC8): HBUKGB4B

otherwise please send an old-fashioned cheque made payable to:

Raid England

to
Geoff Probert

60 St. Marks Rd.

Henley-on-Thames,

Oxon

RG9 1LW

Geoff Probert

01491 577220

geoffprobertatgmaildotcom

Peter Chesworth

01209 822054

peteratwillowbridgecottagedotcodotuk

(substitute at & dot with the usual symbols  in order  to defeat the automated spammers)

Small Boat Festival – pacific northwest

This event will showcase 75 outstanding small boats in the water and an additional 25-30 on dry land. The dates are July 26-27 at Port Ludlow Marina on beautiful Port Ludlow Bay just 13 nautical miles south of Port Townsend. With terrific views of the Olympic Mountain range, and protected waters, the bay is perfect for a small-boat gathering—and as a bonus, we have secured virtually all guest-moorage slips in the marina, assuring that we’ll be able to display a wide range of small-boat designs along one contiguous dock, and in one upland area close to the boats that are in the water.

During the SBF, participants with in-the-water boats will be free to row, sail, paddle, pedal or motor their boats around the bay…offering rides if they wish, or having their boats photographed for a video documentary by Off Center Harbor, the Maine-based production company.

We’re already planning for a few areas of special focus: Electric small craft and human-powered small boats, so there will be areas set aside for those boats and some presentations made on subjects like the increasing practicality of electric power; comparisons between rowing, paddling and pedal-powered small craft; and tips on how to get beyond day use and start camp-cruising your smaller boat.

Show off your boat

Even though nearby Port Townsend hosts its big annual Wooden Boat Festival, the SMALL BOAT FESTIVAL will absolutely not be limited to wooden boats. (Focus of the event will be on attractive and functional designs, so we expect a lot of older fiberglass production sailboats, along with homebuilt wooden watercraft. Everything from SCAMPs to slippery full-keel classics; and from rowing, paddling, pedaling and engine-powered boats to SUP’s, canoes, custom kayaks and other small watercraft.)

Boats will arrive at Port Ludlow on Friday, July 26, and the SBF will take place all day on Saturday the 27th, with the public invited to attend between the hours of 10 and 6. Registered skippers and their crews will enjoy dinner in the marina’s huge Pavilion tent Saturday evening, along with terrific raffle prizes and visits from some luminaries in the world of small boats.

Ready to register?

Registration fee for the two-day festival will be $75 which includes

  • in-the-water moorage or dry-land display
  • the Saturday evening dinner

If you have a small boat we’d love to have you show it at the festival. Fill out the registration form and the organizing committee will get in touch with you to work out final details.

Please note that you’ll need to be signed into a Google account (gmail, youtube, etc) in order to fill out the form – that helps us keep down the internet riffraff. If this poses a problem for you, send us an email at [email protected].

Further details

Trailer launching options

Launching trailer boats isn’t possible inside Port Ludlow Bay, but there are a number of ramps in the area—the best being the paved all-tides ramp at Port Townsend’s Boat Haven Marina.

Boats can also be launched at:

Overnight parking of tow rigs is very limited at Port Hadlock and Mats Mats Bay, and no empty boat trailers can be parked at Port Ludlow Marina, so the best bet might be launching in Port Townsend and cruising south to Port Ludlow on Friday…or even turning the transit into a slightly longer mini-cruise by—(just for instance)—launching in Port Townsend on July 24, overnighting in Mystery Bay on nearby Marrowstone Island that night, then Mats Mats Bay the second night (Thursday the 25th), before arriving at the SMALL BOAT FESTIVAL venue by Friday afternoon, July 26.

Check out time from Port Ludlow

Check-out from SBF moorage slips will be noon on Sunday, unless individual boat owners wish to stay longer, paying regular guest-slip rates to extend their stay. If skippers wish to display an additional boat, either in the water or on land, a reduced $50 fee will apply for the second small boat registered.

John Gardner Small Craft Workshop

The John Gardner Small Craft Workshop will again be held during The WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport Museum, on Friday to Sunday June 28 – 30, 2024 from 9am to 5pm, hosted by the Traditional Small Craft Association’s John Gardner Chapter.

In addition to having a booth to acquaint show attendees with the TSCA, there will also be demonstrations of skills that enhance the traditional small boat experience. Mystic Seaport Boathouse craft will also be available at no charge for participants to use. We are hoping for a continuous back drop to the Show of traditional small craft in action on the river.

All TSCA members are encouraged to attend with or without your own boat! There is plenty to do if you don’t bring your own vessel. Launching and parking details will be posted with registration materials. At 8 am on Saturday and Sunday morning before Museum hours, there will be a cruise in-company open to all workshop attendees. We will gather at the Australia Beach and cruise either up river past the highway bridge to the beautiful salt marshes or down river past the Village and classic yachts on their moorings.

Workshop participants can register to stay onboard the Joseph Conrad Friday and Saturday nights. .
Attendees will be encouraged to help with the workshop, either by manning the booth at
Australia Beach for a 2 hour period and/or giving a demonstration of some skill such as sail rigging, sculling, boat building, hardware making etc. If you have a skill that you would like to demonstrate at the show please volunteer. Demonstration should last about 30 minutes and will be held approx. 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm each day.

Registration for the Small Craft Workshop also allows you admission to the WoodenBoat Show for all three days at no additional cost.

Indicate your interest in staffing the booth or demonstrating a skill on the registration form or contact Bill Rutherford at [email protected] or 860-222-5249.

Registration information will be posted on the Mystic Seaport Museum website Calendar under the date June 28, 2024.