Chesapeake Light Craft

For more years than I care to remember wooden kayak enthusiasts have met at the beach at Bluff Point State Park in Groton, Connecticut. We will be gathering again this year. Come see what builders have made over the winter. Test paddle kayaks that you are interested in building. Talk to other people who like wooden kayaks.

Come to Annapolis, see the Chesapeake Light Craft shop, watch boatbuilding demonstrations and then try out boats. Okoumefest is held over two days, Friday is in Annapolis at the CLC shop, where there will be a tour of the facility (you can see there CNC machine cut kits), I will do a demonstration of some sort (usually how you shouldn't fiberglass outside in the sun), and others will demonstrate other techniques to build boats in less than favorable conditions. After the demonstrations there will be food. CLC hosts a BBQ.

Come watch a boat being built

Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin is the biggest paddle sport shows in the country and it is the perfect antidote to the middle-of-the-winter blues.

I will be attending the Wooden Boat Festival out in Port Townsend, Washington for the first time this year. I'm really looking forward to it. I've heard great things about it. The festival website says:

Try Out Boats

Join us and Cheseapeake Light Craft for an in-water demo at Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, MA.

Try Out Boats

Join us and Cheseapeake Light Craft for an in-water demo hosted by Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club in conjunction with Beczak Environmental Education Center.

"Okoume" is the plantation-grown African hardwood used in tens of thousands of CLC's build-your-own-boat kits. OkoumeFest features an open house with technical seminars on Friday at the CLC plant in Annapolis, and on Saturday an on-the-water rendezvous at Matapeake State Park on Kent Island.