2025 Family Boat Build
and Portland Wooden Boat Festival
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RiversWest Small Craft Center announces the 15th annual Family Boat Build, June 28 and 29, and applications are now open. The exciting event has drawn over 100 families in years past. A “family” can be almost any group interested in building a boat in two days. A group of two can do it if both are handy with tools and group of eight or so can do it, but they might find it a bit crowded. The event was designed for families, a place where parents and grandparents can interact with kids in a unique way. While we do not limit ages, experience has shown that the ideal ages are 8 and up with two adults. Boats have been successfully built by kids as young as 6 and with only one parent.
All boats parts will be provided together with all the tools needed for the assembly. Oar and oarlocks are included as well. While minimal woodworking skills are helpful, plenty of experienced boat builders from RiversWest will be available to assist where needed. The build begins at 9:00 am Saturday, and by 3:00 pm on Sunday, each family will have a finished boat they can take home. The boat is a 12 ft. rowing version of the Salt Bay Skiff, weighing about 90 lbs. and easily car topable. The skiff can also be later adapted for sailing, and we have members who can advise with this. |
The price per family for the event is $450. Complete the application below and make payment with a credit card or PayPal. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis. This popular event tends to fill up fast, so if you are interested, we urge you to act promptly. We will also create a short wait list in the event some families feel a need to cancel - cancellations within 2 weeks of the event will receive a full refund.
The Portland Wooden Boat Festival will be held on in the Sunday in the RiversWest boat shop, and vicinity. There will be owner-built and other boats on display, so if you are not planning to participate in the build, at least stop by and take a look at some beautiful hand built small craft. The building event will be held in the festival area at Green Anchors near Cathedral Park in St Johns. Information about Green Anchors is at https://www.greenanchorspdx.com If anyone has questions, please email Chuck Stuckey at [email protected] and he will try to answer them. Click here to pay with credit card or PayPal, and you will be assigned a slot in the build. |