Views of the Neighborhood – Wooden Boat Festival

This weekend is the Wooden Boat Festival. The business is all things wooden and boats. I started taking photos on Friday so that you would be able to see the progress of the family boat builders. These folks are building an entire boat over the weekend.

Here we are on Friday at the boat building tent. That big piece of plywood will become the hull.

This shows parts that will be used to build the boat.

This photo shows a group of experts all concentrating on one thing. Building plans you ask? No. How to get the glue opened.

Work is underway.

Here is a shot of the grounds on Friday. The weather was in the high 70’s and beautiful.

Checking in on Saturday we find the boat builders have made real progress.

There are two boats being built. The one in the background can’t be seen in this photo.

Here is another shot of the grounds on Saturday. A front moved in, and the temps are in the 50’s with a feel like in the 40’s. It is also misting rain.

Part of the festival includes a silent auction. Here are some old spikes and charts.

There is also an antique ship’s binnacle available to buy. What’s a binnacle? It houses the compass and other navigational aids and keeps them safe from wind and sea.

There are lectures on many subjects.

Many boats

I like the colors on this sailboat.

Here is a sailboat with an enclosed cockpit. The important thing about the festival is that the boats are made of wood and are constructed by hobbyists.

I hope you enjoyed the wet, chilly, walk.

68 comments

  1. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

    It’s fascinating to see boats under construction. I have a number of photographs of dhows in various stages of construction on Ajman Creek in the 70s (you’ve seen one or two of them on the Kreative Kues pages).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I remember. 😀

      Like

  2. patriciaruthsusan's avatar

    Good pictures, John. That’s a great community effort and a usable product. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Suzanne. 😀

      Like

  3. GP's avatar

    Nothing glides through the water like a wooden boat!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I like the nostalgic feeling as well. Thanks, GP

      Liked by 1 person

  4. janesturgeon's avatar
    Jane Sturgeon · ·

    Nothing like a wooden boat and community creativity ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      For sure. Thank you, Jane

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen Plano · ·

    This event brought a smile, especially the photo of the experts trying to open the glue. When I was a kid, my dad built a boat which he used on the Salton Sea. Thank you for the memories. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Sounds like he would have enjoyed being around these folks. Thanks, Gwen

      Like

  6. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Great turn given the weather conditions. I like the color of that one sailboat too, John. Speaking of boats, Jimmy Buffet was scheduled to perform at an outdoor area last night, but it was canceled due to the cold and rain. I guess he’s not as tough as the wooden boat community. Happy Sunday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That is a good one, Jill. 😀 Happy Sunday.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Looks like a lot of fun. Agree of that pretty sailboat. How did the boat building go?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They will finish the two boats today.

      Like

      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        Cool. Hope they float.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Ha haha. That would be a picture. Launch and sink.

          Like

        2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

          The crabs and sharks will be happy.

          Liked by 1 person

  8. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    Oh, what fun! I really enjoyed this virtual visit, John. You cracked me up with the experts and “How to get the glue opened.”
    It’s a shame that the beautiful weather didn’t hold out. Temps did the same here, but at least we didn’t get the amount of snow forecasted — just some flurries.
    I had not heard of a binnacle — now I’ve just got to use one in one of my stories. 😀 Binnacle… how could I resist that word? Have a sublime Sunday. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I like the word myself. I was thinking along the lines of barnacle on my binnacle but you give it a go. Hugs and happy Sunday as well.

      Like

      1. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

        I foresee another great dialogue post with barnacle and binnacle. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          No you take them. 😀

          Like

  9. Phillip McCollum's avatar

    Looks like fun, John. Cold and wet, but fun. Happy Sunday, to you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Phillip.

      Like

  10. Dan Antion's avatar

    My kind of festival, John. I used to own a small sailboat. I sold it after realizing that the Editor didn’t do well on water. Building a boat would be a great hobby in your area. Thsnks for sharing the photos, and for going back to chart the progress.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      There was one kit manufacturer from Baltimore. I was sorry to see the turn out so light.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. John Fioravanti's avatar
    John Fioravanti · ·

    I enjoyed the wet, chilly walk a great deal – felt right at home – although I’d kill for temps in the 40s and 50s! Thanks – I love these pictures of a world so different from my own.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, John.

      Like

  12. Jan Hawke's avatar

    Port Aransas has a sunny spirit even when the weather not’s co-operating! Lovely photos John! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jan.

      Like

  13. Sorryless's avatar

    I wish I didn’t suffer from motion sickness, because it sounds wonderful, to be out there on a boat. But I do love the shots and the narration, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks Marc. All from the safety of your easy chair.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        It has to start somewhere! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Another form of art! This crazy Texas weather!! I had to turn my heat back on.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I know right?

      Like

  15. shoreacres's avatar

    As one of the Farleys is reported to have said, “If God wanted fiberglass boats, He would have made fiberglass trees.” I love seeing these boats take on life — this is just as interesting to me as the big wooden boat event here in May. How’s the progress on the scow schooner going? Did it make it through Harvey in good shape?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The scow Scooner looks pretty much like it did last year. Yes it made it through the hurricane. I did a feature on the Farley Boat works last year and skipped going there for this one.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Debbie's avatar

    Well, these are just fascinating! Are there prizes or just bragging rights? And what do they do with those boats, once they’re finished? Your weather sounds too much like ours, only ours is wont to mix a bit of snow with the rain and drop the temps several degrees. Where is Spring?!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The boats are floated in the harbor. Bragging rights only. I wish I knew where spring was for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Website: http://brchitwood.com - B R Chitwood - My Mission: Writing to Discover Me's avatar

    Lots of fun activities on your island, John! Good photos! All enjoyed from my lazyboy! Thanks…trying to get my body to believe we did something healthy today! 🙂 ♥

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You can put me down for 10,000 steps.

      Like

  18. Jennie's avatar

    Looks like a great event. Thanks, John.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. macjam47's avatar

    John, what a fun event, rain or shine. I would love to watch someone build a boat.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is interesting. Slow but interesting.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Rhonda's avatar

    Having grown up on a lake in northern Minnesota boats take me back home. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Except for the three feet of ice there is not much difference. 😀

      Like

      1. Rhonda's avatar

        Haha! True story! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Teri Polen's avatar

    I laughed out loud at them trying to open the glue. Sounds like Saturday’s weather was wonky everywhere – we had snow. Nothing that stuck, but still – it’s April!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Teri. So typical I thought.

      Like

  22. Almost Iowa's avatar

    I hope you enjoyed the wet, chilly, walk.

    I did! I DID! And no snow.

    My dad and I built a wooden sailboat, many years ago. Neither of us had sailed and on our first time out, the sky turned green then orange and all hell broke loose. A tornado crossed the water no more than a quarter mile away.

    We were on a long run to the beach, the rudder kicking up rooster-tails and when we hit the beach, we just surfed right up on it and ran like hell.

    Never lost that love for sailing.

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Greg. You reminded me of a similar experience. I had my two kids in a sailboat and a storm came out of nowhere. I had to hold them while trying to navigate into shore. They were pretty scared although I kept saying there was nothing to worry about. (There was plenty as you well know)

      Liked by 1 person

  23. noelleg44's avatar

    Way cool, John! Looks like a lot of fun! I would love that binnacle…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Don’t let a barnacle get on your binnacle. You have to admit that is a funny word, Noelle. 😀

      Like

  24. Let's CUT the Crap!'s avatar

    In spite of the weather, work progressed and boats were completed. Wow. I’m more than impressed. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Hardy folk these boat people.

      Like

  25. Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister's avatar

    Such a fun event. Hoping they take to water. Brings back memories for sure.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I didn’t stay for the launch. The liquid sun was falling.

      Like

  26. Hugh W. Roberts's avatar

    I had no idea a boat could be built in a whole weekend, John. It once took me a whole week just to build a bedside table from a flatpack that came with instructions that only had pictures (no words). Did you get involved with any of the boat building?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      No I did not get involved in the building. You had to sign up in advance. Thanks, Hugh.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Lauren Scott, Author's avatar

    How fascinating, John, and I like the sailboat colors, too. It’s incredible to think a boat can be built in one weekend. Looks like a fun time. Sorry I’m late. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You are never late. Thanks, Lauren

      Liked by 1 person