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Saturday, September 12
 

9:30am PDT

Puget Sounds Golden Age of Yachting Through the Lens of Photographer Ken Oiler
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Cruising Stage
As 20th century designers and builders created our area’s maritime history, photographer Ken Ollar was there to record it. For over half a century, he sped through the Salish Sea aboard his motor vessel Shutterbug, capturing the action at Swiftsure, fleet and PIYA races, Opening Day celebrations, unlimited hydroplane races, and yacht club cruises. His collection of over 10,000 negatives, slides, prints and ephemeral, is now part of the Gig Harbor BoatShop’s Northwest Fleet Photography Collection. Using archival protocol, a team of volunteers are digitizing images for a publicly accessible database. As the body of work grows online, the historical importance of it becomes more apparent. Ken Ollar’s stunning work is filling our maritime past with narratives and details never heard before. We will share gems and highlights with you through projected images and stories.
Speakers
avatar for Jan Hein

Jan Hein

Gig Harbor BoatShop NW Fleet Photo Collection
Jan Hein is a freelance writer/photographer and ocean sailor. Her work has appeared innumerous publications including Classic Boat, Wooden Boat, All At Sea, 48° North, andSail. She served as press reporter for Antigua’s Classic Regatta, and is a frequentphoto contributor for Northwest... Read More →
avatar for Richard Gray

Richard Gray

Gig Harbor BoatShop NW Fleet Photo Collection
Richard Gray is professor emeritus in the Department of Art, Art History & Design at the University of Notre Dame. He has exhibited his artwork in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally for forty-five years. Gray is also former chair of the National Board of Directors... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Cruising Stage
  Presentation

9:30am PDT

Sailboat Standing rigging 101
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Technical Stage
Learn the basic parts and functions of your standing rig.  Understand how it is built and sized along with knowing the questions to ask when replacing it.
Speakers
LV

Lisa Vizzini

Port Townsend Rigging, Inc
Lisa traces her interest in boats to a pond sailboat program at her elementary school in Westchester/Playa del Rey,California. She & her father finished and rigged a wood sloop which Lisa raced in a county-wide competition where she came away with a blue ribbon. That experience sparked... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Technical Stage
  Presentation

9:30am PDT

Traditional Navigation in the Age of Electronics, Compass and Sextant
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Discovery Stage
Getting the most out of your compass; repairing and adjusting; integrating with GPS, Chartplotter and Radar for safe and fun boating.Demystifying the Sextant and reasons why it still matters.
Speakers
BB

Bob Bergstrom

NW Compass Adjusting
Bob has been adventuring by boat for over 45 years in many parts of the world. Mostly in the pacific northwest and from Alaska to Central America. He is a retired firefighter/fireboat pilot, and former delivery boat skipper. He is also a licensed Coast Guard captain. Long ago he learned... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Discovery Stage
  Presentation

9:30am PDT

Viking Age voyages - transatlantic encounters before Columbus
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Adventure Stage
Long before the famous voyages of the 15th century, Scandinavian sailors had established a reputation as intrepid navigators and explorers. These seafarers, which today we call Vikings, are most famous for their raids upon the churches and towns of western Europe, but this was only a small part of their adventures across the Atlantic Ocean. Recent research suggests a much wider extent of exploration and settlement than previously thought, with intriguing new evidence appearing across a vast expanse of the northern hemisphere. In this talk I will introduce some of the lesser known aspects of the Viking Age, including their key contributions to maritime technologies, and discuss some ongoing mysteries regarding potential Viking presence in the high Arctic, Spain, and the Azores.
Speakers
avatar for Greer Jarrett

Greer Jarrett

Lund University
Greer Jarrett (Bristol, UK, 1992) is an archaeologist specialised in Viking Age navigation and seafaring. His research focuses on reconstructing Viking Age sailing routes using a combination of experimental archaeology and digital analyses. For his PhD (published in 2025), he undertook... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Adventure Stage
  Presentation

10:00am PDT

Boat Electrical Components Demo
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
Using student made Electrical Boards, we will discuss common boat electrical components and how the NWSWB Marine Systems Program teaches this curriculum using hands on project-based learning and ABYC industry standards.
Speakers
avatar for Cooper Rooks

Cooper Rooks

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
From an early age, Cooper‘s life has centered on being aboard and around boats. Growing up in Port Madison, a small but active sailing community on Bainbridge Island, has led to 35 years of racing and cruising sailboats on the Salish Sea, Inside Passage, and up and down the west... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Boatbuilding Stage

10:00am PDT

Chopping a Rabbet
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
Explanation and demo of chopping the rabbet for traditionally planked boats.
Speakers
avatar for Tucker Piontek

Tucker Piontek

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
Tucker’s relationship with boats started young with canoes and fishing boats on the rivers of Oregon and lakes of Wisconsin. That relationship quickly transferred into racing modern sailboats on the Columbia river and ocean races along the Pacific Northwest and Canadian coastlines... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
  Presentation
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10:00am PDT

Plug in boats - Planning the conversation
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Innovation Stage
There is an increasing interest in powering boats with electricity but the technology of electric power is quite different from that of gas or diesel. Most boat builders and manufacturers are not yet capable of providing an “off the shelf” electric boat or do the conversion.  This presentation provides a framework for the planning that needs to be done for a conversion when doing it yourself.  The main topics are:Power and Energy NeedsSpace Needed Voltage, BatteriesMotors  and Motor ControllersSwitches and MonitoringRecharging
Speakers
avatar for Thomas Hruby

Thomas Hruby

Tom is a retired aquatic ecologist and a hobby boat builder who has built 20 boats ranging from Rob Roy canoes to the St. Pierre Dory. I built my first electric dory 30 years ago at a time when the only technology available was golf cart batteries and fork lift motors.  I also converted... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Innovation Stage
  Presentation

10:00am PDT

Sailing 1877 barque Elissa - A Square-Rigged Primer
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Sail Stage
Master rigger and licensed captain Jamie White will give a presentation on “Sailing ELISSA – a Square Rig Primer.” He will speak about the dynamics of setting sail aboard and maneuvering the official tall ship of Texas, ELISSA, and how ships of the Age of Sail would have been similarly handled underway.  The 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA is a three-masted riveted iron-hulled barque based in Galveston, Texas, and is one of only three such vessels in the world that still actively sails. As a barque, her rig features square-rigged sails on the fore and main masts, while the mizzen mast is fore-and-aft rigged.
Having worked in the traditional rigging and square-rig sail training industries since the early 1980s, Jamie has built an extensive knowledge and understanding of traditional sailing ships and their operational and restoration/maintenance and sail training requirements. Jamie sailed over 30,000 miles as bosun, mate, or master on many square-rigged & traditional vessels. Before he sailed aboard traditional boats and tall ships, he taught sailing aboard modern sailboats at one of the largest charter companies in Southern California.
If you have ever wondered how much more different and difficult tacking a square-rigger is than a modern sloop – this presentation should be of interest to you.
Speakers
avatar for Jamie White

Jamie White

The SquareRigger
Since the early 1980s, master rigger Jamie White has sailed over 30,000 miles as bosun, mate, or master on square-rigged and traditionally-rigged vessels.  He is currently master rigger on the 1938 topsail schooner SWIFT OF IPSWICH rig restoration, and has served as master/chief... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Sail Stage
  Presentation

10:00am PDT

Sharpening - Chisels and Planes
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Boatyard
Sharpening is a fundamental skill that every woodworker needs to know. Tim breaks down sharpening into a simple sequence of steps and shares tips and tricks to help you develop and refine your technique.
Speakers
avatar for Tim Lawson

Tim Lawson

Port Townsend School of Woodworking
Tim is one of the founders and was the founding Executive Director of the Port Townsend School of Woodworking based at Fort Worden.
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Boatyard
  Presentation

10:00am PDT

What's in the Water? Live Plankton Collection Demonstration
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage
Swimming and floating silently through the beautiful waters of the Salish Sea, microscopic plants called phytoplankton and animals called zooplankton form the basis of food chains leading up to orcas and to humans through salmon.  As microscopic plants, phytoplankton use the nutrients in the water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to grow until they are, well, eaten by zooplankton.  Different species of zooplankton can either stay small or can undergo a series of changes to become the larger animals we are more familiar with (including fish, mussels, crabs, worms, and barnacles to name just a few).  Come and prepare samples of live freshly collected plankton and observe these beautiful organisms on our microscopes.  Experts in plankton identification will be available to talk to you about what you see as you are looking at the samples!
Speakers
avatar for Lee Bebout

Lee Bebout

Lee worked as a microbial ecologist / geobiologist, spending lots of time near water, but is enjoying being out on the water even more in retirement.  She enjoys looking at water and sediment samples under the microscope and always learning more about the Salish Sea.  She also enjoys... Read More →
avatar for Brad Bebout

Brad Bebout

Brad and co-presenter Lee Bebout met while studying harmful algal blooms on the Neuse River in North Carolina.  After short postdoctoral stays at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, and at the University of Maryland’s Horn Point Lab, they both went... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage
  Presentation

11:00am PDT

China Cloud- a Living Legacy
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Innovation Stage
Come learn more about the well beloved Farrells, their artistic and intangible legacy, and how it means to be renewed today. Be prepared for soulful storytelling, restorations of a junk rig, and some shared appreciation for the waters we dwell in.

Allen and Sharie Farrell were shipwrights, cruisers, artists and the kind folk that built and lived aboard China Cloud-a 40’ wooden jink rig. Today, this boat is tended to by their great great grand niece Eden Murray. Although Eden never got to meet the Farrells, their stories coloured her own life on the water growing up. She is now an artist and facilitator living between Victoria and Quadra island where the boat perches on the beach of Heriot Bay. After 4 years of living aboard part time and finding inspiration, freedom, and home in the muse that is this wooden junk rig vessel, she is now embarking on the adventure of restoring the boat in community hands and hosting residencies and nature immersions aboard for young people (and young at hearts alike!). She will tell us the story of how China Cloud came into her hands, how these people lived on the water, and her hopes for the exciting project that is this heritage relic and its living legacy. Be prepared for gorgeous images of the vessel's three red fans, local cruising episodes, and multiple forms of the question that keeps her up at night under the stars: How can stories drenched in folk-esq seafaring contribute to a more compassionate world? And how do we help steward this animist world from the water, our small abodes among other floating creatures contributing to more meaning and trust within our inner and outer ecologies. Follow up the conversation with Eden and her crew aboard at the boat show all weekend.
Speakers
avatar for Eden Murray

Eden Murray

https://www.edengrace.ca/
Eden Murray is a sailor, artist & bodyworker living in BC. She had the immense privilege of reacquiring SV China Cloud into her family circa 2022, built by her great great aunt and uncle Allen and Sharie Farrell on Lasqueiti Island. After a few years living aboard and navigating femme... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Innovation Stage

11:00am PDT

Levy Hoffman and Barnes
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Music Main Stage

Artists
avatar for Levy Hoffman and Barnes

Levy Hoffman and Barnes

Port Townsend's premier Argentine Tango Trio featuring Bertram Levy on b2andoneon, Ryan Hoffman on guitar and Danny Barnes on tuba
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Music Main Stage
  Music

11:00am PDT

Boat Electrical Components Demo
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Boatbuilding Stage

Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
  Presentation

11:00am PDT

Diving Into Kelp: the Forests of the Salish Sea
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage
The southern Salish Sea is rich with kelp, hosting a diversity of species that form magnificent forests along our shorelines. In and amongst these forests, you can find seals and sea lions, orcas, salmon, rockfish, forage fish, crabs, snails, nudibranchs, and countless other species. Since time immemorial, kelp forests in the Salish Sea have provided cultural, ecological, and economic value to human communities. But our kelp forests are declining, with some areas of Puget Sound experiencing near total losses. Thankfully, there are collaborative efforts underway to conserve and restore these vital ecosystems. In this talk, we’ll introduce you to Salish Sea kelp forests, the changes that we’re observing, the efforts underway to save and restore the forests, and how you can get involved.
Speakers
avatar for Gray McKenna

Gray McKenna

Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Gray McKenna (they/them) is a marine ecologist, freediver, artist, and former tallship sailor. Gray has spent the last 6 years working on kelp forest research and recovery in Washington. As a scientist with Nearshore Habitat Program at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage
  Presentation

11:00am PDT

Sail Trim and Handling
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Sail Stage
A detailed presentation on trimming your headsail and mainsail for a variety of conditions seen while cruising. Sailing terminology, the dynamics of light and heavy air sailing, primary and secondary trim tools, sail care, and the nuances of getting the most out of your sails will be covered.
Speakers
avatar for Erica Georgaklis

Erica Georgaklis

Port Townsend Sails
Erica Georgaklis grew up sailing and racing in New England before moving to the Pacific Northwest. Once there she quickly found a 1938 Ed. Monk sloop, moved aboard and began exploring the Salish Sea. Smitten with boat life and all things cruising, she left work in arboriculture and... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Sail Stage
  Presentation

11:00am PDT

Schooner Adventuress' Fiber Topmast Rig
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Boatyard
Schooner Adventuress has topmasts again! In part due to our synthetic fiber topmast rig. The replacement of the galvanized wire with fiber removed approximately 180 lbs from her rig. This, in concert with the new hollow topmasts, has greatly improved her stability, and reclaimed her license to fly the tops'ls. Another precedent-setting standard with fiber rigging on inspected vessels.
Speakers
avatar for Blaise Holly

Blaise Holly

Owner, Haven Boat Works
Blaise leads a skilled group of 35 people in repairing and restoring historic vessels- like the iconic 120-foot Adventuress, the flawless 96-foot Geary fantail yacht Blue Peter, and the award-winning MV Comrade. The efforts of his crew ensure Haven remains a cornerstone of the Port Townsend maritime community... Read More →
avatar for Ian Weedman

Ian Weedman

Brion Toss Yacht Riggers
Ian Weedman succeeds the late Brion Toss at the helm of the 43-year-old shop in Point Hudson. He has been rigging classic and contemporary sailboats for over 20 years.


Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Boatyard
  Presentation

11:00am PDT

Bluewater cruising Why Wait?
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Discovery Stage
Many sailors dream of casting off and leaving behind the things that keep them bound to familiar moorings.  Only a small percentage of those who dream actually get to do it.  Philip & Leslie recount the story of making their dream cruise happen, what they learned, special places visited, and who they met along the way.
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Linkkila

Leslie Linkkila

Leslie Linkkila & Philip DiNuovo began sailing together in 1991 when they bought a small aging weekender sailboat from a neighbor and set about to learn to sail on the chilly waters of the Puget Sound of Washington. With just one idyllic summer cruise in the Salish Sea, their dream... Read More →
avatar for Philip DiNuovo

Philip DiNuovo

Philip DiNuovo & Leslie Linkkila began sailing together in 1991 when they bought a small aging weekender sailboat from a neighbor and set about to learn to sail on the chilly waters of the Puget Sound of Washington. With just one idyllic summer cruise in the Salish Sea, their dream... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Discovery Stage
  Presentation

11:00am PDT

Catch a Rising Star! Celestial Noon Shot by Sextant
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Technical Stage
Capt. Sanders of U.S. Maritime Academy will tackle and simplify the process of finding your latitude at noon by the use of Sextant. and the Sun. Following the presentation, he will conduct a real time noon shot (1pm local time) out on the wharf where participants will "find themselves" using provided sextant.
Speakers
avatar for Captain Jeff Sanders

Captain Jeff Sanders

U.S. Maritime Academy
Captain Jeffrey Sanders founded United States Maritime Academy in 1987 and has since trained over 5.000 thousand students for their Coast Guard Master Captain’s License. He was among the first instructors in the country certified to teach Coast Guard Approved License classes offering... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Technical Stage
  Presentation

11:00am PDT

Coast salish canoes & history of Tribal Journeys
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Adventure Stage
From a wooden boat and waterborne perspective, Leslie will take her audience on a voyage of Native history, loss and into our recent tremendous renewal of Native Canoeing strength as communities gather and traveling on the local Salish Sea waters once again. From research in library and museum photo archives, early explorers journals and ethnographies; as well as from searching to find and then make lines drawings from older representative canoes; right into recording Native Elders' own stories and hearing of community needs; she will share how communities found old growth, learned to carve and steam the great cedar into transformed canoes as the old masters knew how to do.  She'll present the excitement of "Bringing them canoes back" during the first PADDLE TO SEATTLE in 1989; and then a remarkable challenge for a 500 mile canoe pilgrimage ~ pulling all the waty up to Bella Bella, Canada.  And then land this presentation, by moving it forward to the rich gatherings of more than 100 canoes and six thousand Native folks now as the Tribal Journeys have matured.
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Lincoln

Leslie Lincoln

A lifetime maritime, Leslie Lincoln lived, worked, studied and voyaged her sailboat in support of a Native Canoe Renaissance. Recording oral histories with the elders, documenting fine lines of the representative cedar canoe forms of our bigger coast and as an escort vessel to Bella... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Adventure Stage
  Presentation

11:00am PDT

Docking for 2 people, 1 line, Any Conditions, Full Control
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Cruising Stage
Docking with dynamic springlines has become a lost art - with tragic results in marinas all around the world, not the least in the Pacific Northwest. Captain Phyllis Woolwine is leading a charge to bring these powerful skills & strategies back. Owner of Shearwater University - Maritime Education, “Captain Wooly” specializes in training boaters of all types to use springlines for maximum safety and boat control while leaving and returning to the dock - every time, in any conditions, with just two people. This seminar provides an overview on the physics of the core springline strategy we apply on all boats, every time, no matter the boat type or scenario.
Speakers
avatar for Phyllis Woolwine

Phyllis Woolwine

Shearwater University
Captain Phyllis Woolwine is a leader in Maritime Education in the Northwest, and owner of Shearwater University in Anacortes, Washington.  “Captain Wooly” and her crew specialize in custom instruction on boats of all types and sizes.  Outstanding instruction on the water, online... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Cruising Stage
  Presentation

12:00pm PDT

The Shifty Sailors
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage

Artists
avatar for The Shifty Sailors

The Shifty Sailors

We are a maritime singing group from Whidbey Island.  We've been singing in this area and beyond for over 30 years.  We've sung at Wooden Boat many times.  You already know everything you need to know about us.
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage
  Music

12:00pm PDT

Bringing Back the "Oly" Collaboratively Restoring the Native Olympia Oyster
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
The west coast's only native oyster, the Olympia oyster, once formed large beds of millions of oysters in the Salish Sea. These populations crashed due to habitat loss, overharvest and water quality issues and are largely absent from their historic range. Today, these oysters are being back by tribes, non-profits, state agencies and Marine Resource Committees working together. I'll speak to our experience and success using several strategies to restore native oyster beds on the northeast Olympic Peninsula and in the larger Salish Sea.
Speakers
avatar for Neil Harrington

Neil Harrington

Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe
Neil Harrington is an Environmental Biologist with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. In his fourteen years with the Tribe his work has focused on harmful algal blooms, shellfish safety, native Olympia oyster restoration, invasive European green crabs, and outreach and education. Previous... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
  Presentation

12:00pm PDT

Buying and Selling a Boat - a How to Conversation
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Boatyard
Thinking about Buying or Selling a boat? We'll talk about the Buying and Selling Process, the Benefits of Working with a Yacht Broker, How to Prepare your Vessel for Sale and How to Buy the Right Boat for You!
Speakers
avatar for Rob Sanderson

Rob Sanderson

Port Townsend Boat Company
Rob Sanderson is a 100-ton USCG Captain, ASA and US Sailing Instructor and has lived in Port Townsend for over 20 years and worked in the maritime industry for over 30 years. In 2018 he started the Port Townsend Boat Company which is now one of the top rated Yacht Brokerages on the... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Boatyard
  Presentation

12:00pm PDT

Peel & Stick Carbon or Fiberglass
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
Turn dry fabric into a peel and stick epoxy laminate that can be cut to precise shapes and brought to the project. Most necessary for carbon fiber as it will not wet out and go clear like fiberglass though the process works for most fabrics. Less air less weight less mess. For large tapping or tabbing jobs one person can feed several other laminators increasing productivity. Simple tools and materials make this technique a great choice for professional and DIY builders.
Speakers
avatar for Korey Ruben

Korey Ruben

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
While attending helicopter flight school, Korey learned two things from his instructor: (1) how to fly and (2) how to sail. Boats won in the end. He graduated from the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in 2014 and dove head first into a carbon fiber composites start-up. “Ocean... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
  Presentation

12:00pm PDT

Rigging for Hollywood
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Sail Stage
How I ended up working for the film production business making traditional rigging, and how that rigging compares with the real thing! Anecdotes of some of the crazy sets and people involved!
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Sail Stage
  Presentation

12:00pm PDT

The Joys and Challenges of owning a Wooden Boat
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
How might we best support and provide long-term stewardship to our wonderfully disparate wooden boats and the skills it takes to preserve and maintain them?  The Dolphin Swimming & Boating Foundation has a way with the renowned Dolphin wooden rowboat fleet that plies the San Francisco Bay waters daily; San Francisco Master Mariners  is an organization whose members are the boats, individually-owned wooden sailboats ,largely built before December 1941  and whose main events are the annual Memorial Day Regatta and the mid-June Wooden Boat Show at the Corinthian Yacht Club.  Diane, who serves as President of the Dolphin Foundation and Membership Director of the Master Mariners,  will regale us with how they're doing what they do and the challenges they are facing, and asks that you bring what you're doing so we can get better, together,  at this extraordinary, complex, time-sensitive, quirky, highly-rewarding  work.
Speakers
avatar for Diane Walton

Diane Walton

Dolphin Swimming & Boating Foundation
Diane Walton, President of the Dolphin Swimming & Boating Foundation, and Membership Director of the San Francisco Master Mariners,  keeps two wooden sailboats at the Berkeley Marina —  Gerda, a 25' Spitzgatter built in the late 30's by the grace of Auge Uzon, and a 38' Ingrid... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
  Presentation

12:30pm PDT

Around the World in a Shoebox, what it's like to circumnavigate solo on a small home-made-boat
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Adventure Stage
It would be a slideshow presentation featuring descriptions of the class event, what it was like to build the boat myself, launching and sailing across the Atlantic to Antigua, the event itself and what it took mentally and physically to complete a circumnavigation on such a small vessel, systems, design and outfitting, as well as anecdotes from the high seas, followed by Q&A
Speakers
avatar for Josh Kali

Josh Kali

Josh Kali Ocean Racing
Hello, I am Josh Kali of Josh Kali Ocean Racing. In March of 2025 I became the first American to sail solo around the world on a boat under 20ft, by completing the first ever Mcintyre Mini Globe Race. I built my boat ‘Skookum’ myself from plywood and timber finished in fiberglass... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Adventure Stage
  Presentation

12:30pm PDT

Chasing Light on the Water Tips & Tricks
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Discovery Stage
Jeff Eichen has spent decades photographing wooden boats on Puget Sound. In this workshop, he'll show you how to work with natural light on the water, compose for motion and mood, and capture the craftsmanship that makes these boats extraordinary and the digital darkroom as well. All skill levels welcome. enjoy Jeff's Photography Tips and Tricks.
Speakers
avatar for Jeffrey Eichen

Jeffrey Eichen

Rawmaste® Productions & Goods
Jeff Eichen was born in California in 1958, and photography found him early. At seventeen, he studied under Ansel Adams at the legendary Yosemite Workshop in 1975, then continued his training with at the University of Oregon in 1976 — In 1979, Jeff ventured to the Netherlands as... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Discovery Stage
  Presentation

12:30pm PDT

Sailing Through Life
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Technical Stage
Power point presentation exploring 60 years of boatbuilding, sailing
Speakers
avatar for Lin Pardey

Lin Pardey

L Pardey books
Lin Pardey literally wrote the book—many books—on cruising, inspiring generations of sailors to embrace the ethos of go small, go simple, go now. Over several decades, she and her late husband, Larry, built two boats—the 24-foot Seraffyn and the 29-foot Taleisin—and sailed... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Technical Stage
  Presentation

12:30pm PDT

Yacht Designer Panel
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Cruising Stage
Sam Devlin, John Harris and guests

Every boat begins as an idea.
Join a conversation with yacht designers as they explore the balance between beauty, seaworthiness, performance, and practicality in designing boats for real people and real waters. From traditional wooden craft to modern interpretations, this panel offers insight into the thinking, creativity, and experience that shape the boats we admire — and the lives built around them.
What makes a boat feel “right” on the water? Come find out.
Speakers
avatar for Sam Devlin

Sam Devlin

Devlin Designing Boatbuilders
Sam Devlin has been in business as a boat designer and builder for 45 years and is widely regarded as one of the world's leading designers of Stitch-and-Glue boats. His design catalog includes more than 100 pleasure and commercial watercraft from a 6'6" dinghy to a 62' blue water... Read More →
avatar for John Harris

John Harris

Chesapeake Light Craft
John C. Harris designed and built his first boat, a rowing shell, at age 14. John is celebrating his 30th year at Chesapeake Light Craft. As CLC's owner he's designed some of the most popular wooden boats in the world, and shipped more than 50,000 build-your-own-boat kits. His interests... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Cruising Stage
  Presentation

1:00pm PDT

Combo Choro
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage

Artists
avatar for Combo Choro

Combo Choro

Combo Choro plays acoustic Brazilian music. We play the music of Choro, the first music of Brazil, along with Samba and Baião, from the Northeast of Brazil. Choro,  Portuguese for  "cry" or "lament"is an instrumental Brazilian popular music genre which originated in 19th century... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage
  Music

1:00pm PDT

Maritime Music 102: After The Days of Sail
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
How did songs sung by sailors to support their work and for their entertainment (see Maritime Music 101) come down to us over the years.  How do the maritime songs and shanties sung today relate to the songs as sung long ago?  Come and learn a little bit more about the songs we sing. (Chuck Lentz, Mike James)
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
  Music

1:00pm PDT

Bottom Paint Types with Comparative Analysis
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Boatyard
Join a SEA Marine Bottom Paint Expert in an interactive Bottom Paint presentation, likely to include a boat-yard walk!  Presentation will include standard preparation with a review of types of bottom paint and comparative performance of each.
Speakers
avatar for SEA Marine

SEA Marine

SEA Marine
SEA Marine of Port Townsend, Washington is a full-service boatyard, providing recreational and working boat owners with a full spectrum of services for outfitting and maintaining motor and sailing vessels. Our dedicated staff handles a broad range of services including bottom paint... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Boatyard
  Presentation

1:00pm PDT

Designing a Solar Boat
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
A voyage through the process of designing a small long range micro-cruiser.
Speakers
avatar for Joe Grez

Joe Grez

PropEle Electric Boat Motors I

Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
  Presentation

1:00pm PDT

Fiberglassing Techniques
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
Learn the basics of fiberglass laminating techniques. Presentation and demo.
Speakers
avatar for Bruce Blatchley

Bruce Blatchley

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
Bruce has been teaching at the boat school since really late in the last century. He has been other places and done other things as well. As a life long learner he realizes that the old adage: "the more I learn, the less I know" is apropos. Plus, crafting sentences that flow and/or... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
  Presentation
  • about <br>

1:00pm PDT

Sail Survey and Repair
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Sail Stage
Alison will demonstrate surveying cruising sails, what to look for, how to determine their working condition, and then give an overview of reinforcing said sails for offshore cruising. Sailing terminology, parts of the sail, sail making tools, and techniques will be covered.
Speakers
avatar for Alison Wood

Alison Wood

Port Townsend Sails
Alison grew up sailing the Intercoastal waterways of the Southeast. She was part of an all female crew to deliver an Irwin 43 from Key West to Annapolis for the famous Tanya Abei. She completed an apprenticeship with Brion Toss Yacht Riggers before joining the crew of Port Townsend... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Sail Stage
  Presentation

1:00pm PDT

Tsunamis in Washington: It Keeps Happening
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
Three thousand years of tsunamis—hidden in the mud. Buried sand layers at Discovery Bay reveal when these waves struck, how big they were, and clues to where they came from. Understanding this history helps us prepare for the next tsunami in Washington.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Carrie Garrison-Laney

Dr. Carrie Garrison-Laney

Washington Sea Grant
Dr. Carrie Garrison-Laney spends an unusual amount of time digging in mud and getting excited about sand in places it definitely shouldn’t be. She reads layers of sediment the way others read novels—except the plot involves catastrophic waves, coastal chaos, and the occasional... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
  Presentation

2:00pm PDT

Hands On Grommet Making - The Artful Sailor
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Sail Stage

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Sail Stage

2:00pm PDT

Helen G: Sad Songs and Singalongs
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
Helen Gilbert has been around folk music from Britain and America all of her life.  She will sing unaccompanied songs of the sea – focusing on sad songs but interspersing them with singalong-able shanties which have easy choruses that attendees may join in on.  
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
  Music

2:00pm PDT

Trevor Ras
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage

Artists
avatar for Trevor Ras

Trevor Ras

Catchy melodies, thoughtful lyrics and his soulful saxophone blend with a penchant for sailing, loop pedals, and campfire sing-a-longs to give Trevor Ras a unique style- one that lands him comfortably between Ed Sheeren, Jimmy Buffett, and Van Morrison. His live shows bring a special... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage
  Music

2:00pm PDT

F.V Shenandoah a unique approach to restoration
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
This presentation will focus on the unique approach used to restore the 1925 purse seiner Shenandoah with the intention of being a permanent indoor exhibition. The restoration plan included restoring the two sides of the vessel to different eras while  blending conservation and restoration techniques with the goal of showing the vessels change over time story in a way that would inspire curiosity and learning. The presentation will also incorporate blending the many levels of details required to blend story and object in creating a cohesive exhibit and continuity between the vessel restoration, interpretive plan and greater maritime gallery as a whole.
Speakers
RH

Riley Hall

Harbor History Museum
Riley Hall is a seasoned shipwright and sailor specializing in restoration and use of wooden boats. Working as the Museum Shipwright and Preservation Specialist at the Harbor History Museum located in Gig Harbor, WA, Riley recently oversaw the volunteer driven restoration and conservation... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
  Presentation

2:00pm PDT

Science at the Leading Edge of the European Green Crab Invasion
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
The early detection of European green crab in Washington has provided extremely rare opportunities that are not often available in the management of biological invasions. In addition to offering the best chance for effectively slowing the spread and impact of a worldwide invasive species, tracking the leading edge of green crab expansion has also presented a broad horizon for high-impact scientific research questions that can directly inform management action. This talk will highlight some of the Crab Team collaborations over the last decade that have illuminated the process of the invasion, potential impacts, and even potentially offer opportunities for new technological intervention strategies.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Grason

Emily Grason

Washington Sea Grant
Emily Grason is a marine ecologist and Principal Arm Waver at Washington Sea Grant, in Seattle, WA. Since 2014, she has led Crab Team, a comprehensive program focused on supporting statewide efforts to manage the invasion of European green crab, one of the world’s most damaging... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
  Presentation

2:00pm PDT

Wooden Block Making
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
Demonstration of the different types wood shell blocks and their various methods of construction.
Speakers
avatar for David Griswold

David Griswold

Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op
Born along California's Redwood coast and raised in northern Nevada in the foothills of the Sierras, David Griswold made his way to Port Townsend in 1993 to attend the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (NWSWB).
He launched his career as an independent rigger from 1994 to 1999, specializing in traditional gaff rigs, before expanding into traditional boatbuilding and yacht finishes. David taught wooden block making and rigging workshops at the NWSWB and has been a presenter at the Wooden Boat... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
  Presentation

2:00pm PDT

In the Wake of Vikings - Reconstructing Seafaring Routes Through Traditional Practice
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Adventure Stage
The Viking Age (800-1050 AD) was a period of maritime expansion and transformation, shaping the lives of coastal communities from the Caspian Sea to Newfoundland. Explorers, fisherfolk, raiders, traders, and settlers travelled incredible distances over some of the most dangerous seas on earth, often multiple times within individual lifetimes. Although archaeological, linguistic, and genetic evidence provides us with the origin and destination points of these voyages, we know very little about what happened on the sea: what sailing and navigation techniques were used? What routes were followed? And why were the Vikings such successful seafarers?In this talk I will try to answer these questions by drawing on the results of my doctoral research project, in which I reconstructed Viking Age seafaring routes by conducting experimental voyages throughout Scandinavia onboard traditional Norwegian clinker boats. These voyages also helped establish the seafaring capabilities of the Vikings, allowing us to make more informed judgements about the geographical extent of their travels, and identify potential areas for future archaeological excavations. Finally, my research evaluated the relationships between indigenous North Americans and Viking settlers in and around Greenland, where the common pursuit of key resources led to cross-cultural tensions, just as it does today.
Speakers
avatar for Greer Jarrett

Greer Jarrett

Lund University
Greer Jarrett (Bristol, UK, 1992) is an archaeologist specialised in Viking Age navigation and seafaring. His research focuses on reconstructing Viking Age sailing routes using a combination of experimental archaeology and digital analyses. For his PhD (published in 2025), he undertook... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Adventure Stage
  Presentation

2:00pm PDT

Reefing in 5 min
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Technical Stage
When your sailboat is struggling to stay on her feet and sail to weather efficiently do you wonder if you should have put in a reef?The solution is a quick and easy reefing process.This seminar demystifies common hurtles to reefing. If you can reef quickly you will be more inclined to reef early and often. Conversely shaking out the reef is a piece of cake
Speakers
LV

Lisa Vizzini

Port Townsend Rigging, Inc
Lisa traces her interest in boats to a pond sailboat program at her elementary school in Westchester/Playa del Rey,California. She & her father finished and rigged a wood sloop which Lisa raced in a county-wide competition where she came away with a blue ribbon. That experience sparked... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Technical Stage
  Presentation

2:00pm PDT

The Way Boats Build Us: A Journey of Resilience and Finding Home
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Discovery Stage
Embark on a personal journey exploring the how spirit of courage and endurance is passed down through generations of women. This presentation follows an immigrant family shaped by the sea, illustrating how the strength and determination of women on the water continue to ripple forward. From a rural village river in Vietnam to the icy waters of the Northwest Passage, this is a story of searching for home and how resilience, heritage, and the ocean itself can transform a family’s legacy.
Speakers
avatar for Sandy Lam

Sandy Lam

Sandy is a Pacific Northwest sailor who continues to find inspiration and purpose on the water. As a first-generation Asian American, she has charted her own path, shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to say yes to the unknown. Though she didn’t discover sailing until... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Discovery Stage
  Presentation

2:00pm PDT

Varnishing tips and Tricks
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Boatyard
I will be discussing products, tools, strategies and answering questions to help you learn how to apply your varnish and keep it maintained with efficiency and minimalize problems and intimidations about doing it.
Speakers
avatar for Joni Blanchard

Joni Blanchard

Leatherwood Finishing Company
Joni Blanchard has been varnishing boats in and around Port Townsend for 40years. She authored a varnishing book titled 'Tricks, Cheating & Chingaderos' - A Collection of Knowledge and TIps for Varnishing/Painting Wooden Boats.in 2010. Her book will be available at the workshop.
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Boatyard
  Presentation

2:30pm PDT

Spar Makers Panel
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Cruising Stage
Moderated by Ernie Baird 
Panelists: Brad Seamans, Shipwrights Co op; Pete Stein, Shop Co op; Daniel Hawkins, Haven Boat Works
Wood spars are at the heart of traditional sailing craft — shaping the way a boat moves, balances, and feels at sea. But what exactly goes into designing and building a wooden mast or spar?
Join a conversation with experienced spar makers as they explore the art, engineering, materials, and traditions behind these beautiful and highly functional structures. From selecting wood to shaping spars for vessels that sail everywhere from local waters to Cape Horn, this discussion offers a rare glimpse into the craft.
Saturday September 12, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Cruising Stage
  Presentation

3:00pm PDT

Badd Dog Blues Society
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage

Artists
avatar for Badd Dog Blues Society

Badd Dog Blues Society

Andy "Badd Dog" Koch has brought together an up-tempo ensemble sure to please blues lovers everywhere. You’ll be in for an evening to remember as Andy and his band wind their way from Main Street to the Back Alleys of the Blues – dancing, singing and howling the night away.
Formed in 1995, The Badd Dog Blues Society tours steadily, from the Mountains to the Islands, Alaska to Mexico, Regulars on the Olympic Peninsula as well.  Proud to be keeping the Blues, a True American Art-Form Alive! Andy's Love for the Blues shines through the music, making for for a... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage
  Music

3:00pm PDT

Peter Rothbart: Original Maritime Music
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
Peter Rothbart is a Seattle based, award winning folk singer and songwriter.  He will present maritime themed songs with emotionally resonant lyrics, powerful vocals and a commanding guitar style.
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
  Music

3:00pm PDT

67 Things a Marine Surveyor May Frind Wrong With Your Perfect Boat
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
Hauling a wood boat and repair procedures - plank replacement, fasteners, caulking, repair and installing new framing both steam bent and sawn frames and correct diesel engine installation - using posters with hand -drawings from my book 'The Art Of Wooden Boat Repair-How To Save Wood Boats" in print for 41 years.
Speakers
avatar for Allen Taube

Allen Taube

Marine surveyor/shipwright
Architecture graduate from Rhode Island School of Design and MIT. Professional shipwright.
NAMS/GLOBAL Marine Surveyor for 30 years. A wooden schooner captain/sailor/owner for 50 years.  He wrote and illustrated "The Boatwright's Companion" and "The Art of Wooden Boat Repair-How to Save Wood Boats" which has been in continuous print for 41 years, as well as many features... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Boatbuilding Stage
  Presentation

3:00pm PDT

Exploring Life in Puget Sound's Hidden Depths
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
Much of Puget Sound lies beyond the shallow waters we see from shore. Beneath the surface is a largely hidden world of complex reefs, soft sediments, and the fish and invertebrates that live there. This talk offers a look into these deeper waters through underwater video from remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys and insights from WDFW's long-term monitoring efforts. With a focus on fish populations, it highlights species that are rarely seen, shares stories of population decline and ongoing recovery efforts, and explores what they can tell us about the health of Puget Sound’s deepest ecosystems.
Speakers
avatar for Kathryn Meyer

Kathryn Meyer

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Kathryn Meyer is a senior research scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where she leads the Puget Sound Groundfish Program. Her work focuses on studying the marine fish communities of Puget Sound using tools like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
  Presentation

3:00pm PDT

Traditional versus Modern sailmaking
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Sail Stage
Join Wayne as he discuss the benefits of traditional versus modern sailmaking.
Speakers
avatar for Wayne Chimenti

Wayne Chimenti

Force 10 Sails
Wayne Chimenti has been in the Tall Ships profession for nearly 50 years as Captain Sailmaker and Rigger.
He has been in charge of rigging of six new vessels including Tole Mour, Robert Seamans, and Corwith Cramer.
As Captain, he sailed from the far-flung islands of the Pacific, as... Read More →
avatar for Nahja Chimenti

Nahja Chimenti

Nahja is a second-generation traditional sailmaker and a true rarity in the modern world – a craftsperson who grew up fully immersed in the craft that would become her profession. As the daughter of sailors and sailmakers, she grew up on and around tall ships and working in the... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Sail Stage
  Presentation

3:00pm PDT

Copper-Free Bottom Paint: Regulations, Reality, and What’s Next
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Innovation Stage
Copper-based bottom paint is facing increasing regulation—but what does that mean for boaters? Get up to date on current laws, emerging alternatives, and what’s really changing in the world of marine coatings.Non-copper - it's the law! Or is it? Let's get up to date on the latest history, regulations, and developments as we march forward to a cleaner, more innovative future in controlling marine fouling.
Speakers
avatar for David Atwater

David Atwater

AkzoNobel

Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Innovation Stage
  Presentation

3:30pm PDT

Haida Sails Resurgence Project
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Adventure Stage
Sharing about the last year of learnings about woven sailmaking, the completion of the first sail and how it performed on the 33ft canoe. Sharing an update on the beginning process of the great voyaging canoe.
Speakers
avatar for Jaad Tl'aaw, Paula Varnell

Jaad Tl'aaw, Paula Varnell

Haida Sails Resurgence Project
Jaad Tl'aaw, Paula Varnell belongs to the G̱aw Git'ans Gitnee, Masset Inlet eagle clan, on Haida Gwaii – homeland to the Haida Nation, this archipelago is 90 nautical miles off the coast of British Columbia, and 27 nautical miles from traditional Haida territory along the coast... Read More →
avatar for K’ujuuhl, Evelyn Vanderhoop

K’ujuuhl, Evelyn Vanderhoop

Haida Sails Resurgence Project
Evelyn belongs to the G̱aw Gitanee clan of Old Massett. She is a master weaver specializing in Northern Northwest Coast textiles of Naaxiin (Chilkat) and Ravenstail weaving. A daughter of Ilskyalas Delores Churchill and granddaughter of Ilst’ayaa Selina Peratrovich, Evelyn continues a powerful lineage of Haida weavers dedicated to the revitalization and preservation of ancestral arts. Throughout her career, Evelyn has been committed to teaching Naaxiin and Ravenstail weaving, generously passing on her skills to future generations. She has... Read More →
avatar for Ḵayd Guudang, Jaalen Edenshaw

Ḵayd Guudang, Jaalen Edenshaw

Haida Sails Resurgence Project
Jaalen is a Haida artist from the Ḵayahl ‘Laanas Clan, renowned for his monumental red cedar carvings, design work, and dedication to cultural resurgence. Mentored by master carvers Guujaaw and James Hart, Jaalen developed a deep understanding of Haida formline and traditional... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Adventure Stage
  Presentation

3:30pm PDT

Intro to Memoir writing
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Discovery Stage
Join marine mammal biologist, boater, and author Beth Ann Mathews for a dynamic presentation on turning life at sea into compelling personal stories. We all know how even the best laid plans for long-term expeditions at sea can lead to exciting adventures, formative challenges, and personal revelations and reckonings worth sharing. Beth draws on her journey from associate professor of biology at the University of Alaska in Juneau and field research biologist in Glacier Bay, Alaska—teaching, publishing scientific papers, being a mother, and sailing with her husband for three decades—to writing Deep Waters, her award-winning memoir with over 200 reviews.
Her upcoming memoir (2027) has been described as a “candid reckoning with choices the author never imagined she would make—one that resonates with readers who value honesty, vulnerability, and the search for meaning when life diverges from our ideals, while also exploring how we build lasting human connections.”
Beth’s presentation will explore how to capture and revitalize memories, tap the power of vulnerability in storytelling, and offer practical tips for getting started. Attendees will receive a resource list for taking their work to the next level, along with guidance on creating or finding a memoir-writing critique group.This session is for boaters who want to write personal stories for family and friends—or for publication.
Speakers
avatar for Beth Ann Mathews

Beth Ann Mathews

She Writes Press
Marine biologist Beth Ann Mathews is the author of the award-winning memoir Deep Waters: A Memoir of Loss, Alaska Adventure, and Love Rekindled (She Writes Press), a story of relationship and family resilience tested—and strengthened—through boating after her husband’s medical... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Discovery Stage
  Presentation

4:00pm PDT

Gather Round
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
Gather Round is a Seattle based a capella vocal ensemble headed by Peter Rothbart.  Drawing from a range of musical traditions,  they blend close harmonies, deeply-rooted folk sensibilities and a spirit of shared song into music that feels vividly joyful and alive.
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
  Music

4:00pm PDT

Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
A century ago, humpback whales were nearly lost from the Salish Sea forever. Fortunately, decades of protection have resulted in a "humpback comeback", with hundreds of humpbacks now visiting the region each year. We'll take a deep dive into humpback whale behavior, diet, culture, and more. We'll also discuss how you can contribute as a community scientist, and ensure humpbacks never disappear from the Salish Sea again.
Speakers
avatar for Erin Gless

Erin Gless

Pacific Whale Watch Association
Erin Gless is the executive director for the Pacific Whale Watch Association, a community of ecotourism professionals dedicated to education, conservation, and responsible wildlife viewing in British Columbia and Washington state. She holds a BS in Biology with Marine Emphasis from... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage
  Presentation

4:00pm PDT

Tips for a dry boat
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
The presentation will feature ideas on keeping your boat dry, as well as other tricks we have learned living aboard our boat. You will learn fun facts and easy logical ways to keep your boat clean and dry as well as other fun facts.
Speakers
CL

Chuck Laguna

AVD PLus/H2out
Chuck is the owner of AVD Plus/H2out. Chuck has been boating for years in the Pacific NW, and lived aboard "Hydrotherapy" for years. Living aboard gives you a totally different outlook on boating compared to the weekend boater.  

Chuck will share tips on keeping your boat dry, and other interesting tidbits he picked up living abord his boat.  Chuck will also share a video from Practical Sailor that shares 3 tips for a dry boat... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
  Presentation

4:00pm PDT

Traditional Sailmaking Demo
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Sail Stage

Speakers
avatar for Alan Prichard
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Sail Stage
  Presentation

4:15pm PDT

SLOWBURN
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:15pm - 5:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage

Artists
avatar for SLOWBURN

SLOWBURN

Classic Rock from the 70's 80's and 90's
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:15pm - 5:45pm PDT
Music Main Stage
  Music

4:30pm PDT

Workng Together to Harness the Wind
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Cruising Stage
Moderated by Allison Woods
Panelists: Megan Hudson, Mark Shiner, Ian Weedman, Justin Lathrop, Ossian Smith, Bruce Tipton

A sailing rig only works when every piece works together.
A sail alone cannot move a boat. Neither can a mast, a spar, or a length of rigging. Each depends on the others, working together to transform wind into motion.
The same is true of the people behind them.
Sails, rigging, and spars are deeply interconnected — each affecting how a boat performs, balances, handles, and endures at sea. It’s far more complex than simply ordering a sail or stepping a mast. Sail shape influences rig loads, rigging affects sail trim, spars bend and flex under pressure, and every detail must work in harmony.
Join working sailmakers, riggers, and spar makers for a fascinating conversation about the collaboration, craftsmanship, and problem-solving required to bring a successful sailing rig to life — from traditional wooden boats to modern voyaging vessels.


Speakers
avatar for Alison Wood

Alison Wood

Port Townsend Sails
Alison grew up sailing the Intercoastal waterways of the Southeast. She was part of an all female crew to deliver an Irwin 43 from Key West to Annapolis for the famous Tanya Abei. She completed an apprenticeship with Brion Toss Yacht Riggers before joining the crew of Port Townsend... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Cruising Stage
  Presentation

5:00pm PDT

Singing In Public workshop
Saturday September 12, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
Have you wanted to attend the very popular evening shanty singing sessions at the Festival but hesitated because singing in public is something you have never, ever done?  All of us have had this experience at one point or another.  Come to this workshop and get introduced to how a shanty session works, how you might participate and, most importantly of all, pick up some tips about delivering a song.  Oh, and practice out loud right in the workshop! (Chuck Lentz, Helen Gilbert, Peter Rothbart)
Saturday September 12, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
  Music

5:00pm PDT

Solar Cruising; Past, Present and Future
Saturday September 12, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
A presentation and panel discussion about the development of modern solar boating and exciting projects both planned and currently under construction. Panelists include solar-electric boat designers, builders, and owners with thousands of miles of solar powered cruising. 
Captain Alex Borton grew up with an old wooden sailfish. He taught sailing on dinghies and keelboats, and volunteered on tall ships. He has journeyed in small engineless craft in Washington, Baja and Patagonia. In 2021 Alex talked his Dad into joining him and Wayward Sun on the first 100% solar cruise through the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay. Their company, Solar Sal Boats, built the first 100% Solar USCG Inspected passenger vessel, Solaris, which has been giving tours on the Hudson river for the past 7 years. Their 24' production model is available in stock, and their most versatile cruiser yet, the Townsend 34, is currently under construction in Port Townsend.
Saturday September 12, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage
  Presentation

6:00pm PDT

Pete Seeger Sing-Along
Saturday September 12, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Adventure Stage
The Pete Seeger Sing-Along returns to the Festival for the 4th time. Pete was a wooden boat guy, so we decided the Wooden Boat Festival would be a good place to sing his timeless songs. Each year we fill the room with song and life, where every voice is welcome, lyrics are provided, and the spirit of Pete Seeger fills our souls. Songs are led by Tom Shindler and other Peninsula Musicians, but all of you are the real stars.
Speakers
avatar for Tom Shindler

Tom Shindler

The Pete Seeger Sing-Along returns to the Festival for the 4th time. Pete was a wooden boat guy, so we decided the Wooden Boat Festival would be a good place to sing his timeless songs. Each year we fill the room with song and life, where every voice is welcome, lyrics are provided... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Adventure Stage
  Music

6:15pm PDT

The Randall Wolf Band
Saturday September 12, 2026 6:15pm - Sunday September 13, 2026 8:00pm PDT
Music Main Stage

Artists
avatar for The Randall Wolf Band

The Randall Wolf Band

Originating here in the Pacific Northwest, The Randall Wolf Band is more than a collective of musicians—it's a high-energy sonic harmonic. Led by the raw energy of Josh Randall Turner on vocals, Jeremiah (Bookie) Turner on guitar, Jason Mogi on drums, Kim Trenerry on bass, and Ken... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 6:15pm - Sunday September 13, 2026 8:00pm PDT
Music Main Stage
  Music

7:00pm PDT

Shanty Sing: Sea Shanty Sing a long
Saturday September 12, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
Two of the most popular events at the WBF every year are the Friday and Saturday
evening Shanty Sessions that get going in the Marina Room at 7:00 p.m. A
crowded and friendly hall full of people singing with enthusiasm is an experience
you don’t forget easily! We call these “Shanty” sessions but the songs that get
sung go well beyond the simple work songs that are true shanties. There are also
traditional songs sung by sailors for entertainment in the days of sail and there are
more recently composed songs that evoke all aspects of the maritime life. All of
these songs and music fall under the umbrella of Maritime Music and the WBF, in
conjunction with Maritime Folknet, is proud to present programs and performances
of Maritime Music as a part of the culture and history of the sea.
Saturday September 12, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Maritime Music at the Marina Room
  Music

9:00pm PDT

Uncle Funk and the Dope 6
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:00pm - Sunday September 13, 2026 11:30pm PDT
Music Main Stage

Artists
avatar for Uncle Funk and the Dope 6

Uncle Funk and the Dope 6

7 piece fun infused, energetic dance band based in Port Townsend
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:00pm - Sunday September 13, 2026 11:30pm PDT
Music Main Stage
  Music
 

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Adventure Stage
Boatbuilding Stage
Boatyard
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First Fed Commons
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Maritime Music at the Marina Room
Music Main Stage
Ropemaking tent
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