Celebrate Wood Boatbuilding and Restoration in Newport, Rhode Island Starting Today

Image courtesy Bowen’s Wharf

While we New York landlubbers usually can’t get enough of our city, all of the high rises and horn-honking can get a bit exhausting. For those craving a quick escape, Bowen’s Wharf Newport Wooden Boat Show offers the perfect day away from the chaos of New York. This show, located in the historic waterfront district of Newport, features over twenty exhibitors both in water and on land. It begins on Thursday, September 14th, and will continue until Sunday, September 17th. With a craft cocktail in-hand, visitors may explore both traditional and modern boat craftsmanship to the soothing sounds of live Caribbean and folk music.

As stated by Bartlett Dunbar, president of Bowen’s Wharf Company, “Boats that intrigued owners over 85 years ago are coming together with contemporary builds of heritage designs. The show features the beauty and finish of both traditional historic and modern power and sailboats. These are boats built today, by traditional boatbuilders, with modern and traditional techniques for maximum enjoyment.”

Image courtesy Bowen’s Wharf

The Wooden Boat Show will feature a vast variety of motor and sailboats: everything from the 12-foot Columbia tender to the 76-foot W-Class sailing Yacht, Wild Horses. There will even be several boats for purchase. Sparkman & Stephens is bringing The Courageous and Fidelio, a 1956 restored 27′ racing and cruising boat with a double-planked mahogany hull. The Duchess, a classic 1930’s 50′ Elco motoryacht, is also for sale. There will even be a rare and exciting opportunity, for those without intent to buy, to climb aboard eleven featured boats as a true mariner.

Occurring simultaneously to the Wooden boat show, the Newport International Boat Show will feature a full collection of Down-East Style boats available through Bowen’s Wharf: Hinckley and Hunt. “This event in Newport brings the sights and sounds of waves against the planking together with the memories of great designers, top builders and restorers, past and present,” says Dunbar.

The Newport Wooden Boat Show showcases the heritage of wooden boat building through a curated collection of sail and motor yachts from all over New England. Visitors will have access to an exclusive array of shops, eateries, nautical art and fashion exhibits, along with heritage and marine based-tours at the show. Festival Admission is free.

Exhibitors include: First Light Boatworks & Marine Railway (Chatham, MA); W-Class Yacht Company (Newport, RI); Concordia Boatyard (S. Dartmouth, MA); Newport Nautical Timbers Inc.; Arey’s Pond Boat Yard (Orleans, MA); East Passage Boatwrights (Bristol, RI); Gansett Cruises; Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors and US Harbors; McMillen Yachts; Sightsailing of Newport – Home of Schooner Aquidneck; Sparkman & Stephen; Strong Firearms Company (Milford, CT) and Artisan Boatworks (Rockport, ME). Monelle, Mariner Gallery & Painter Peter Arguimbau, Sheldon Fine Art, Rhineland Cutlery, and other specialty businesses will round out the show.

Next, check out The Top 10 Abandoned and Retired Boats in NYC (and one in New Jersey).