The 32nd Annual Mystic WoodenBoat Show was also the 50th year celebration of WoodenBoat Magazine
It was a sparkling, sunny start to the annual WoodenBoat Show and both the boats and lovers of all things wood that float on water were out in droves. This show is an annual rite for many across New England and from many other far-off places. It ran from June 28th-June 30th, 2024.
Mystic Seaport Museum in and of itself is a wonderful attraction showing the authentic life of a seaport back in the days of sail power and whaling in New England. They have done a fantastic job of transporting visitors back in time to when life was slower paced and there was more wood than steel in use. They show how it was really done back then. From carving to metal work and weaving that made a seaport community hum and how the realities of daily life were back then.
The visitors gathered this weekend took in both large wooden vessels and homemade small canoes, dinghies and day sailors. One nice thing about this show is there is an entire grassy area in the center of things devoted to those who handcrafted their own wooden boats or remade and restored ones they found in less than stellar condition. There are unique touches and actually unique boats that come from the imaginations of the builders themselves.
Some work off the plans or ideas they gathered from WoodenBoat Magazine itself. Because of the tie to WoodenBoat and the fact that they put on this event every year for the last 32 at Mystic Seaport it was extra special to have the 50th year celebration this weekend. It was topped off night with awards, food, drink and a bluegrass band celebration on Saturday evening.
Then on Sunday everyone got back to the business of showing visitors their vessels and telling them stories about them. This is a magnificent event because the owners or skippers are more than happy if you approach them to give you the history of their boat. They’ll tell you how they built it or how it was restored in detail and with immense pride. It’s a wonderful way for those who like all kinds of boating be it sailing or motorboating or paddling to gather and exchange stories and ideas. All in the backdrop of this historic village well maintained and authentic to the period by staff and volunteers.
There were all types of water related vendors with tents showing off their wares and offering services or unique parts and hardware needed for wooden vessels.
If you have never been to the Mystic Seaport Museum, you are really missing out on a treat to the senses. It’s right on the water with the cooling breezes of the Mystic River and activities on the water constantly happening. You don’t have to be a boater to enjoy visiting, there is really something for everyone. There are indoor attractions with local historic facts. Most of the Seaport focus is maritime related after all it’s a Seaport.
The Mystic Seaport Museum is also one of the ultimate restoration facilities for historic one-of-a-kind ships that need complete restoration to be brought back to life and will live on again for decades to come. They show you their hands on restoration as it’s being done and the ships are taken in, put up on dry land and rebuilt from keel up. There is really nowhere else you can see work like this being done by professionals who have a keen eye for every detail of the restoration and are willing to share the process with the public. The staff gladly answer questions about the restoration and are proud to show you their work as they are doing it.
This show had some highlights such as “Coastal Queen.” She is a Chesapeake Bay Buyboat built in 1928, converted in the late 1950s to a cruising yacht and beautifully recently restored at McMillen Yachts.
There was “Timeless” a 1947 John Trumpy yacht. She was at the dock for visitors to come on board and take in how beautiful and immaculate this Trumpy yacht is. Trumpys are rare as many have gone by the way as many of the older wooden boats have been as the decades pass. To be able to see them in their original beauty is a privilege any boater can understand. That is just another special thing about this WoodenBoat Show. Every year there are special and unique treats sitting at the dock and on land to admire.
The boat “Naval War College” cruised in from New Jersey to join the show. Her owner showed off the details of the once Naval boat that President Kennedy was even known to have been on.
Now the 2024 WoodenBoat Show is done and the preparations have already begun for many for next year. So set aside some time in June of 2025 to take in a wonderful event you will be glad you did. If you already make this an annual pilgrimage, we’ll see you next year!
For more information about Mystic Seaport and their yearlong activities see Mystic Seaport Museum – Maritime Museum in Mystic, CT
