WoodenBoat Show News
Post Show Edition — July 2007
Based on the success of this year’s show, WoodenBoat magazine and Mystic Seaport have announced that the show will again be held at Mystic Seaport Museum. Mark your calendars for June 27–29, 2008!
Simply Put: "The Best WoodenBoat Show Ever!"
Read Comments from Co-Producers
“The 2007 WoodenBoat Show was the best one in our 16 years of producing this wonderful event. The boats, the people, the vendors, special events, and Mystic Seaport all contributed to make this an exceptional show. We greatly look forward to returning in 2008,” commented Carl Cramer, the publisher of WoodenBoat magazine and producer of the 16th Annual WoodenBoat Show that took place at Mystic Seaport on June 29 – July 1. Dana Hewson, Vice President of Watercraft at Mystic Seaport was equally enthusiastic saying, “Mystic Seaport and the WoodenBoat Show are perfect partners — and this year’s show proved that. The location and the content worked wonderfully together to give visitors more than they could have imagined.”
The weekend’s attendance nearly tripled a normal June weekend at Mystic Seaport and doubled attendance at last year’s WoodenBoat Show held in Newport, Rhode Island. Parking lots that filled up by mid-morning and throngs swarming the docks and grounds of Mystic Seaport for three days straight were testament to the success of this year’s show. Visitors enjoyed the show boats, exhibits, and presentations that filled the seaport’s waterfront campus as well as the museum’s own exhibits and galleries. One admission fee included both attractions for two full days.
Exhibitors Enjoyed the Show
See What They Had to Say
Pleased exhibitors said they liked the synergy between the working museum and its waterfront and the way the show brings a marketable side to some of the same things; making and maintaining and celebrating wooden boats. “The show was a memorable experience in an outstanding location. To be able to exhibit my nautical watercolors in the shadow of the historic whaling ship Morgan was inspiring and will probably result in new works reflecting the seaport,” enthused Linda Norton of Linda Norton Studios. “We had a great show, far better than expected. The people that came to our booth at the WoodenBoat Show were genuinely interested in our products, were full of good questions, and appreciated what we do,” commented Mike Lavecchia from Grain Surfboards of York, Maine. David Jacques, President of Boatsense Solutions Inc. said, “The show appears was an overwhelming success for us in letting the market know about our product.” “A great show is an understatement. Mystic Seaport seemed to attract the right attendee; enthusiastic wooden boat aficionados. Where else can you be standing next to a sharpie from the late 1800’s and, in my case, a skiff finished late the previous night?” quipped Edward Sutt of Synergy Boatworks.
Boats, Boats, & More Boats, Plus Lots of Goodies
Check Them Out!
There were all types of wooden boats at the show, from kayaks and canoes and vintage speedboats with gleaming varnish to the amazingly glamorous 74-foot power yacht, Aphrodite and a 76-foot sailing yacht. There were used boats being offered for sale by their owners, new boats being sold by builders, and recently completed restorations being shown by various boat yards from throughout New England and beyond. There were also all kinds of exhibitors, from varnish manufacturers and sail makers to one who was offering a device that sends a text message to your cell phone if the water level rises too high in your boat’s bilge.
Boatbuilding on the Green
Several small boats were built on-site during the show
Volunteers from Race Rock Regatta built Phil Bolger’s 12-foot Teal design. This event was sponsored by Van De Stadt / Bruynzeel Timber. Five teams of Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts built Alexandria (VA) Seaport Foundation’s 16-foot Challenge Wherry. Sponsors for this included Gluezilla and MAS Adhesives.
Expert Demonstrations a Huge Hit
See What All The Excitement Was About
More than a dozen workshops presented by expert boat builders demonstrated how to cast bronze boat hardware, splice wire, saw bezels, steam bend planks, and maintain diesel engines were well attended. Crowds gathered and sawdust flew every time the operator fired up the Wood-Mizer portable saw mill to handily cut tree trunks into planks. A lucky few toured the steam engine aboard the 1908 excursion steamer Sabino, while many more caught a rare glimpse of Mystic Seaport’s extensive collection of small boats and rare marine engines. Several enjoyed a guided tour of the restoration of the 1920 fishing vessel Roann, taking place in the DuPont Shipyard.
Concours d'Elegance
Discover the Winners Here
Sponsored by Heritage Marine Insurance, a Concours d’Elegance took place at the WoodenBoat Show. Many of those attending voted for their favorite boat.
And the Winners Are:
- People’s Choice Award - APHRODITE, Charles Royce/ Brooklin Boat Yard.
- Judge’s Choice Award - ANNA, Brooklin Boat Yard.
- Innovation Award - PAPER JET, Dudley Dix.
SAIL - First Place:
- Professionally Built - ANNA, Brooklin Boat Yard.
- Professionally Restored - PATINA, Segan Yachts.
- Owner Restored - PHOEBE, Stephen Mack.
- Professionally Maintained - NEREUS, Bryan BoatBuilding.
- Owner Maintained - LONG WHITE CLOUD, Paula and Stephen Pepperell.
POWER - First Place:
- Professionally Built - SOLIPSYS, Pease Boat Works & Marine Railway.
- Professionally Restored - CANVASBACK, Taylor & Snediker Boat Building.
- Owner Restored - PEGGY, Kim & Gretchen Granbery.
- Owner Maintained - TRUE LOVE, Fran & Fred Roffe.
MANUALLY POWERED - First Place:
- Professionally Built - PETREL, Guillemot Kayaks
Featured Exhibitor
Watch Twins Demonstrate Featherbow
These guys were having way too much fun demonstrating their fascinating tools to call it work! 71-year old twins Mike and Gerry Coderre market the very popular Featherbow featherboard with two tension gauges and Gerry’s Gadget, which removes black caulking from teak decks.
Thanks to all of you who attended the show. If you would like to tell us about your experience, please send us your comments. We’d love to hear from you. For those of you who could not make it, start making plans now so you don’t miss all the excitement at next year’s WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport. Presented by WoodenBoat Magazine. See you there!