It may still be winter, but the New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) is already planning to make a “splash” this summer with the return of its popular Boat Building classes for youth, adults, and families.
“Boat building falls right in line with our mission to inspire an enduring connection with—and stewardship and appreciation of—New Hampshire’s freshwater boating heritage,” said Martha Cummings, NHBM executive director. “The best part is that participants do not just build boats, but take a test run in them on the lake at the end of class.”
Before launch, however, Tom Mechachonis, who supervises and manages NHBM’s Boat Building classes, said participants of all ages learn a variety of useful skills. These skills center on how to use hand tools, some of which include saws, chisels, scrapers, hammers, hand sanders, block planes, and paint brushes/rollers. Participants also use various battery and electric powered tools.
“They learn how to use these tools safely and efficiently,” he said. “They also learn wood cutting, wood working, paint and varnishing techniques. This new skill knowledge can be taken with them for future use.”
This summer, NHBM will offer Adult & Family Boat Building (July 8 – July 16) and Youth & Family Boat Building (July 24 – August 2). “Many of the family efforts involve grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, and grandchildren, which reinforce family activities, promote working together, and give everyone a sense of accomplishment with the finished product,” noted Mechachonis.
Cummings agreed and said private donors have also made it possible for NHBM to offer scholarships to those with a financial need. “If you have a desire and passion to learn a new skill and build your own vessel, this is a great program,” she said. “Our scholarship donors include past program participants who want to help others attend and receive the joy and satisfaction that they received from this unique experience.”
2023 boat building scholarships are made possible by Wolfeboro Lion’s Club, New England Antique and Classic Boat Society, Captain Raymond Thombs Memorial Fund, New England Lyman Group, Tom and Rose McNamara, Edmund and Sara Dinsmore, and Dr. Jim Forbes Scholarship Fund.
About NHBM
Founded in 1992 by antique and classic boating enthusiasts, NHBM is committed to inspire people of all ages with an understanding of, and appreciation for, the boating heritage of New Hampshire’s fresh waterways. 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.