Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival 2026

Captain Phyllis Woolwine, owner of Shearwater University - Maritime Education, will introduce powerful strategies for boat maneuvering - addressing boats of any size, in any conditions.  Most of the concepts will apply to all types of boats.  Specific strategies for controlling single engine vessels will be addressed, and if time, modifications for twin engines, outboards and stern-drives.  With core physics in mind, she will go over optimum strategies for maintaining full control of the vessel anywhere in the marina, in any conditions, including approaches to the dock.

Dreaming of doing an adventure race? Stuck in the rut of self-doubt? Don't be, come to this presentation and hear how to start adventuring by having an early midlife crisis and a daydream. Sharing lessons learned from running away on a Viking Ship a decade ago to coordinating multiple teams for the Kraken Cup in Tanzania. Then, the 2023 Race to Alaska, this presentation has tips and tricks for planning your first adventure race.  Wherever you are dreaming of going, it's more probable than you think.

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