Family boat building is grounded in the belief that a family will bond and grow together by completing a grand project together. In the past thirteen years we have helped sixty-six families get on the water together and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
Participating families experience the joy and pride of watching a pile of lumber grow into a beautiful and useful boat through their own efforts. In the process, they grow as a family while they:
- develop woodworking and teamwork skills
- learn about our marine heritage and the natural resources of our coastal and estuarine environment
- learn safe on-the-water practices
Over the course of three days, we will build the Oyster River Cat, a 12' sailboat. A professionally made sail is included. The marine plywood hull has a 5' beam that easily carries two adults or even three in light wind. She is equally adept as a row boat for calm days at the lake.
A day of sailing instruction in June at Mendums Pond in Barrington, N.H. is included in the price of the program. The instructors of the UNH Community Sailing Program will provide a morning of on-shore rigging, safety, and basic theory, followed by an afternoon of on-the-water practice in your new boat.
Each family must include at least one child age 12 or older. Extended families or single parents are encouraged to apply.
Questions? If you would like more information or want to be considered as a participant, please contact Mark Wiley at the Sea Grant office,
mark.wiley@unh.edu or (603) 862-6702.