There is nothing quite like building your own boat and taking it out on the water—a lifelong goal of Lawrence Carr, which he fulfilled last year at the New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM).
“I was aware of their [boat-building workshops], but I was always too busy to attend,” he explained. Upon retiring, however, he finally found the time. “I thought it would really be something to someday row around the lake in a boat that I built with my grandchild,” he added.
Designed for participants of all ages and families, NHBM’s Boat-Building Workshops are hands-on and guided by expert volunteers. “The major pieces were pre-cut, but all the assembling, screwing, nailing, gluing, sanding, and finishing was done by me,” said Carr, who built a Bevin’s Skiff. “ I would highly recommend the program to anyone willing to work with and learn from a very knowledgeable staff.”
This opportunity next “launches” on Saturday, July 12 through Sunday, July 20, during which participants can create a functional canoe, kayak, wood duck kayak, paddleboard, or Bevin’s Skiff. “This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many people,” noted NHBM Executive Director Devon Kurtz.
For Carr, this opportunity was perfectly timed, too. “I brought the boat home just in time for my family reunion at the lake,” he said. “Everyone was surprised by the quality of the boat and could see the work that went into it. There was even a line to try out my skiff.”
Click here for more information about NHBM’s Boat Building Workshop. Financial assistance is available for youth and families. “We don’t want finances to represent any sort of barrier,” added Kurtz.
About NHBM
Founded in 1992 by antique and classic boating enthusiasts, NHBM offers dynamic exhibits and engaging events and programs tailored to the diverse boating lifestyles and values of people of all ages. NHBM exhibits, events and programming covers everything from boat charters, boat trips and race boats to canoes, wooden boats, outboard motors, sculling, sailing sunfish, and Lyman and Johnson motors. Some of our hands-on programs take place on Lake Winnipesaukee. NHBM is sponsored in part by Home Comfort, North Water Marine, Goodhue Boat Company, Belletetes, Eastern Propane and Oil, Kingswood Press and Design Studios, and Watermark Marine.