Since 1991, RiversWest Small Craft Center has been promoting the use of sustainable, beautiful boats built to operate on the human scale. For some of our members, that means restoring historically correct wooden boats. For others, it is a chance to design and build with the support and input of a like-minded group. Many enjoy the camaraderie of “messing about” on the water. We all benefit from the chance to learn from one another. We are often inspired to get our hands busy building, paddling, rowing, motoring or sailing small craft.
To do this, we maintain a shop with building space available for members, and woodworking tools available for use. . We get together informally every couple of weeks to find out what other members are up to. And throughout the year we sponsor classes, conduct a boat show, and work on our connection to the larger boating community. We have a library with books and journals about boat building, boating in general, and many sets of plans. Also, many of our members enjoy the chance to pass on the oral tradition of building and using small craft.
Our long-term goals include
For RiversWest, low-impact boating means human-powered, wind-powered or other watercraft of low environmental impact. In addition to wooden boats (some with epoxy and fiberglass), our members have built from, aluminum, steel, and fabric. We look forward to other innovative ideas.
A brief history: In 1991, under the inspiration of the late author, educator and waterway explorer, Sam McKinney, RiversWest began to offer camaraderie, classes, and cheap boatbuilding space in a large shed near the Willamette River at Oaks Park. In 2006, RiversWest realized its longtime dream of an on-the-water location and moved to Pier 99 on the North Portland Harbor channel of the Columbia River, and then in 2022 moved to our current shop at the Green Anchors site in Saint Johns. Come join us (there’s a modest annual membership fee) and help be a part of our future. For an interesting, slightly longer, article on our history, go here. And here is another article by Bob Young that touches on RiversWest history, and other things.
To do this, we maintain a shop with building space available for members, and woodworking tools available for use. . We get together informally every couple of weeks to find out what other members are up to. And throughout the year we sponsor classes, conduct a boat show, and work on our connection to the larger boating community. We have a library with books and journals about boat building, boating in general, and many sets of plans. Also, many of our members enjoy the chance to pass on the oral tradition of building and using small craft.
Our long-term goals include
- Hosting expanded boat shows and local boating events that feature low impact watercraft.
- Becoming well-known not only for our wooden boat expertise, but in developing awareness of other low-impact craft.
- Teaching more people the respect involved in human-scaled boating.
- Maintaining a history of Northwest small craft.
For RiversWest, low-impact boating means human-powered, wind-powered or other watercraft of low environmental impact. In addition to wooden boats (some with epoxy and fiberglass), our members have built from, aluminum, steel, and fabric. We look forward to other innovative ideas.
A brief history: In 1991, under the inspiration of the late author, educator and waterway explorer, Sam McKinney, RiversWest began to offer camaraderie, classes, and cheap boatbuilding space in a large shed near the Willamette River at Oaks Park. In 2006, RiversWest realized its longtime dream of an on-the-water location and moved to Pier 99 on the North Portland Harbor channel of the Columbia River, and then in 2022 moved to our current shop at the Green Anchors site in Saint Johns. Come join us (there’s a modest annual membership fee) and help be a part of our future. For an interesting, slightly longer, article on our history, go here. And here is another article by Bob Young that touches on RiversWest history, and other things.