Diana Talley was recently reminiscing with Ashlyn Brown & Sarah Kolbeck, about the family friendly rowboat racing of early Wooden Boat Festivals. While bouncing around some ideas, a new event has evolved into the RowRowRowMyBoat Rally; an en-mass spectacle row from Boat Haven to Point Hudson. Diana literally had to drag her row boat out of the bushes so we are giving you an early heads up to get yours ready too. Sarah rebuilt a freebie dinghy she found. So what is this all about?
The 46th annual Wooden Boat Festival will be held September 8th-10th, 2023. For almost half a century, we’ve celebrated our wooden boat fleet and the marine trades industry here that builds, repairs and restores it. Many of our trades feel a part of the festival 365 days a year, using the traditional and contemporary skills we keep alive through our work.
Being on the water through sailing, fishing or rowing is part and parcel of why many trades come to this profession. It’s an understanding through on the water experience, a teacher like no other. Sometimes we forget that understanding, supplant it with our strong work ethic and forget to leave the dock. To ameliorate that condition, several local marine trades have organized a happenin that everyone is invited to.
On Sunday September 10th gathering from 9 a.m for a 10:20 departure, the Row Row Row My Boat Rally will leave the Boat Haven, head for Point Hudson and invade the festival. Along with the original intent of the Shipwrights’s Regatta, it may be the one day of the year that all competitive marine trades can agree on the same thing, that getting on the water is what it’s all about.
Parents are encouraged to bring their children. This is not a race, per se, but can be whatever you want to make it. Community members are invited to join in, any kind of row or paddle is acceptable, regardless of design and material. There will be no entry fee, no classes or prizes, just the prize of spending choice time together with the people you love, out on the water.RSVP is encouraged so we know how many cookies and donuts to order!
Full Details are on the Flyer below. Flyers will soon show up around town and Boat Haven but you can print it as well (legal size paper)
We could really use some more sponsorship and donations of any amount to any of the three organizers will be put to good use! See you at the launch ramp September 10th! Read all about it on the flyer!
Organizers are Diana Tally, Sarah Kolbeck at PT Rigging & Spars, and Ashlyn Brown at PT Watercraft.
The organizers want especially to see our workaholic marine trades people get on the water for this event and as many other on the water events as possible. Barb Trailer at the Wooden Boat Foundation has been enthusiastically supportive. Eron Berg immediately offered Port support. Jennifer Takaki at Marina Cafe is totally onboard. The PTMTA and Sailing Association are onboard. Word is getting out!
So as not to clog up the launch ramp parking for paying launcher ramp users, we encourage folks to park vehicles in front of and near the Nomura building (parking lot) and along Jefferson and Benedict streets.