Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival 2026: Full Schedule

TBA

UV Crured Varnish

Thursday September 10, 2026 TBA

Innovation Stage

Come learn about this new technology that is taking the world by storm

Thursday September 10, 2026 TBA
Innovation Stage

10:00am PDT

Plug in Boats: Planning the conversation

Friday September 11, 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

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 →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

11:00am PDT

Wooden Boats, Regattas, the Living Maritime Heritage of the Bahamas

Friday September 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Innovation Stage

Traditional wooden sailing vessels remain central to the maritime culture of The Bahamas. Built by hand and sailed competitively across the islands, Bahamian sloops represent a living tradition that connects craftsmanship, community, and cultural identity. This presentation explores the history and contemporary significance of wooden boat building and regatta sailing in The Bahamas, examining how these vessels function as both technological achievements and cultural symbols. Drawing on archival research, oral histories, and field documentation of regattas throughout the archipelago, the talk highlights the builders and sailors who sustain this tradition and the communities that gather around it. Particular attention is given to the role of wooden boats in national regattas and island competitions, where rivalries, local pride, and generational knowledge intersect on the water. The presentation situates Bahamian sloop sailing within broader discussions of maritime heritage, demonstrating how wooden boats continue to carry cultural memory and identity across generations.

Speakers

Michael Pateman

Sustainable Resources

H.E. Dr. Michael P. Pateman is an archaeologist, cultural historian, and Ambassador-at-Large for History, Culture, and Museology for The Bahamas. His work focuses on documenting and interpreting Bahamian heritage through community engagement, filmmaking, and storytelling. His research... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

12:00pm PDT

Capt Cooks 1772-75 Circumnavigation of Antarctica

Friday September 11, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

Innovation Stage

During 1772-1775, Captain James Cook on the HMS Resolution circumnavigated Antarctica for the first time. Because his cruise determined latitude and longitude from the Kendell K1 clock combined with sextant observations, Cook's data described the spatial distribution of Antarctic icebergs and sea ice. His insistence that the ship be kept scrupulously clean and the men offered varieties of food meant that only two of his 112 men died, none from scurvy. The ship carried an artist, William Hodges, where his iceberg drawings will be compared with our photographs. Although the Resolution came within 100 km of Antarctica and crossed the Antarctic circle three times, it did not find land. In its furthest south, it was the first ship to reach Pine Island Bay, which was filled with massive icebergs and is now known to contain the outflow of the critical Thwaites Glacier. Comparison of Cook’s 250-year-old observations of iceberg and sea ice with ours shows that although there is less sea ice now, the iceberg distributions are about the same.

Speakers

Seelye Martin

Seelye Martin worked for thirty years at the University of Washington in Seattle, studying sea ice, icebergs, and the giant ice sheets. From 2006-2008, he served at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC as program manager for the cryosphere, where he helped develop the IceBridge aircraft... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

1:00pm PDT

The Resourceful Sailor: Creative Solutions to Boat Modifications and Repairs

Friday September 11, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Innovation Stage

Preparing a small boat for big adventures takes creativity. Joshua Wheeler shares practical, sometimes unorthodox solutions he used to ready his Flicka 20 for offshore cruising—offering thoughtful, outside-the-box, and affordable approaches to keep you sailing. As seen on Latitude 38 and Small Craft Advisor.

Speakers

Joshua Wheeler

Sailing With Josh

Joshua Wheeler has sailed and lived on small craft for 15 years and 25,000 nautical miles. Credits include a 2019 transit of the Northwest Passage, two solo circumnavigations of Vancouver Island in 2018 and 2023, the Inside Passage to Alaska in 2022, and a Pacific tour in 2023-24... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

2:00pm PDT

Copper Free Bottom Paint: Regulations, Reality and What's next

Friday September 11, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm 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

David Atwater

AkzoNobel

Friday September 11, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

3:00pm PDT

Composting and Diversion Toilets

Friday September 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Innovation Stage

Geoff Trott will explain the science and practicality behind urine-diverting composting toilet systems, including how they work, what they require, and where they fit best on boats. The seminar will review recent developments in the technology and compare these systems with conventional marine plumbing and holding tank arrangements, with a focus on odor control, installation, maintenance, reliability, and real-world use.

Speakers

Geoffrey Trott

Air Head Composting Toilet

Geoff Trott is the designer of the first mobile urine-diverting composting toilet system and the founder and manufacturer of Air Head Composting Toilet. A lifelong sailor, inventor, and hands-on problem solver, Geoff has spent decades developing practical sanitation solutions for... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

4:00pm PDT

Decarbonization Awards at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival

Friday September 11, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Innovation Stage

The Decarbonization Project is delighted for the opportunity to award boaters, businesses or organizations, and volunteers at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. Award winners substantially reduce carbon while pleasure-boating in the beautiful waters of the Inside Passage.

Awards will be presented to ten boats that are at the Festival this weekend.

Friday September 11, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Innovation Stage

10:00am PDT

Plug in boats - Planning the conversation

Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Innovation Stage

Speakers

Thomas Hruby

Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Innovation 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

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

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

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

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

Joe Grez

PropEle Electric Boat Motors I

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

Presentation

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

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

3:00pm PDT

Copper-Free Bottom Paint: Regulations, Reality, and What’s Next

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

Innovation Stage

Speakers

David Atwater

AkzoNobel

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

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

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

10:00am PDT

Copper Free Bottom Paint: Regulations, Reality and What's next

Sunday September 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Innovation Stage

Speakers

David Atwater

AkzoNobel

Sunday September 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

11:00am PDT

Telehealth & Prescription Medicine at Sea

Sunday September 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Innovation Stage

Modern telehealth is changing how sailors access medical care while cruising — but preparation matters. This session explores how telemedicine works offshore, when prescription medications make sense aboard, and how to build a safe plan before leaving the dock. Topics include communication tools, common scenarios where remote medical support is helpful, and practical considerations for procuring, carrying, and managing prescription medications while underway.

Speakers

John Taussig

Maritime Medical Guides

John Taussig is a paramedic, maritime educator, and Executive Director of Backcountry Medical Guides and its seafaring division, Maritime Medical Guides, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on wilderness and marine medicine. With more than two decades of experience in prehospital... Read More →

Sunday September 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

12:00pm PDT

Composting and Diversion Toilets

Sunday September 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

Innovation Stage

Speakers

Geoffrey Trott

Air Head Composting Toilet

Sunday September 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

1:00pm PDT

Tips for a dry boat

Sunday September 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Innovation Stage

Speakers

Chuck Laguna

AVD PLus/H2out

Sunday September 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

2:00pm PDT

Medicine at Sea — 5 Things Every Sailor Should Know

Sunday September 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Innovation Stage

When emergencies happen on the water, simple principles often matter more than complicated techniques. This session focuses on five key concepts that improve outcomes during onboard medical situations, including patient assessment, early recognition of serious problems, stabilization, communication, and decision-making under pressure.

Speakers

John Taussig

Maritime Medical Guides

Sunday September 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Innovation Stage

Presentation

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