WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport
More than 100 traditional classics and contemporary wooden boats of every type will be at the 18th annual WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport Friday through Sunday, June 26-28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Described by Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide as “one of Connecticut’s Top 20 Events for the Summer,” the three-day WoodenBoat Show offers something for all wooden boat enthusiasts and marine history buffs. Wooden boats of every type – large and small, old and new, power, sail, oar and paddle – will be on display including cruising yachts, launches, runabouts, fishing boats, performance powerboats, daysailers, dinghies, rowboats, canoes, performance shells, multihulls and racing boats.
One of this year’s WoodenBoat features is Elf, a 30-foot class wooden sailing yacht built by Lawley & Sons in Boston, MA, in 1888. Considered the oldest active American racing yacht, Elf’s current owner spearheaded her ambitious restoration and re-launching in 2008. On the contemporary side, visitors can see Chesapeake Light Craft’s Pocketship, a beach cruiser that fits more easily into the casual boater’s lifestyle.
“Mystic Seaport is truly the perfect venue for the WoodenBoat Show and we are excited to be returning here in 2009,” said Carl Cramer, publisher of WoodenBoat Magazine. “Mystic Seaport’s commitment to preserving this country’s maritime heritage combines beautifully with the extensive variety of wooden boats provided by our wonderful exhibitors.
“Each year we offer a unique selection of boats, books, demonstrations and expertise to bring the wooden boat experience to life for all who attend. It’s a must-see event for every family’s summer schedule.”
In addition to more than 60 beautiful boats in the water, visitors can enjoy browsing through two tents and extensive land exhibits hosting nearly 130 exhibitors which include boatbuilders, sail makers, marine adhesive and coatings companies, boat schools and associations, tools, wooden boat hardware, books, nautical antiques and artists.
Other activities include exhibitor demonstrations, workshops by industry experts, the 3rd Annual Concours d’Elegance with People’s Choice, “I Built it Myself” – a collection of 37 owner-built wooden boats on land, a Footy R/C Class Regatta and a maritime book sale Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., all in addition to the Museum’s regular exhibits and activities.
Additionally, visitors can board the freedom schooner Amistad which will be docked at Mystic Seaport throughout the weekend. Built at the Museum and launched in 2000, Amistad sails seasonally, promoting improved relationships between races and cultures by educating the public on freedom, justice, perseverance, cooperation and leadership that arose from the historic Amistad Incident of 1839.
A tribute dinner honoring William, John and Pat Atkin and their designs will be hosted by WoodenBoat magazine at the Boat Shed Saturday evening, June 27. Tickets for the dinner must be purchased in advance from the WoodenBoat Store by calling 800.273.7447 or by visiting www.woodenboatstore.com.
Museum admission gains access to both the WoodenBoat Show and Mystic Seaport.
To learn more about the annual WoodenBoat Show, and to sign up to receive the Show newsletter, visit www.thewoodenboatshow.com. Exhibitor information can be found at the web site, by calling Ray Clark at 401.247.4922, or by emailing rgclark@cox.net.
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 wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-17. Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted for free. For more information, call 888.973.2767 or visit www.mysticseaport.org.
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