The New Hampshire Boat Museum’s Youth, Family, and Adult Boat Building Class returns this summer from July 11–19. Held at the museum’s Wolfeboro campus, the popular program invites participants to transform a kit of raw materials into a fully functional, handcrafted watercraft in just over a week.
“There is a profound sense of magic that happens in the program,” said Devon Kurtz, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Boat Museum. “Participants arrive with a dream and a pile of wood — and nine days later, they are standing on the shores of Lake Wentworth with a boat they built with their own two hands.”
The 2026 session features five distinct boat models to suit every skill level and interest. These models include classic canoes and kayaks, which are elegant designs for solo or tandem paddling. The Wood Duck 12 Kayak is this year’s featured model, known for its stability and spacious cockpit. Participants can also build a modern, lightweight paddleboard or Bevin’s Skiff (a family-friendly project perfect for youth teams).
The class runs daily from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM at 399 Center Street in Wolfeboro. Registration is open now at nhbm.org. The program concludes with a celebratory Group Launch on Lake Wentworth on Sunday, July 19.
Financial assistance is available to ensure the program remains accessible to everyone. Click here to learn more or register.
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.