Embark on an unforgettable journey of craftsmanship and creativity with the Kenosha Community Sailing Center’s wooden boatbuilding workshops. The Kenosha Community Sailing Center is thrilled to announce these hands-on experiences designed to ignite a passion for boatbuilding while fostering a sense of community and skill development for both adults and kids.
Boat building is a time-honored tradition that combines precision, ingenuity, and artistic flair. Whether you’re an experienced hobbyist or a curious beginner, the Kenosha Community Sailing Center’s workshops provide the perfect setting to delve into this captivating pastime.
In a heated warehouse, adults are busy working on building a Jimmy Skiff II™ by Chesapeake Light Craft while youth have their hands full building wooden model boats. The model boats the kids build use many of the same techniques as the larger boat and KCSC staff and volunteers are sure to make the connections.
“Many children have not had the opportunity to build something using hand tools and we are excited to give them the chance,” says Jim Buck, KCSC board president. “Adults love to build too, and it was like Christmas morning the day the parts of the Jimmy Skiff II arrived,” quipped Buck.
Meryl Strichartz, an active KCSC board member and owner of Career Coaches of Wisconsin sees the vocational potential of having a boat building program and has high hopes of growing this sort of programming in Kenosha. She says, “Wooden boatbuilding is a craft unto itself, but the skills it requires cross over into many fields and we recognize the need to upskill our youth.”
This is the second year the Kenosha Community Sailing Center has been working with the Southport Maritime Center and other nonprofit organizations to deliver this program. Wooden boatbuilding continues to be practiced nationwide in various capacities. While the scale and intensity of wooden boatbuilding activities may vary from region to region, there are numerous enthusiasts, craftsmen, and organizations dedicated to this traditional craft across the United States.
Bob Spitz, vice-president of the Kenosha Community Sailing Center is proud to be a part of the boatbuilding workshops. He says, “Whether on water or dry land, connecting with like-minded individuals, forging new friendships, and imparting knowledge to the next generation is exactly what a community sailing center should do, and we are doing it!”
The Kenosha Community Sailing Center has been teaching sailing in the Kenosha harbor for over 15 years and they introduced the bright yellow pedal ducks and other recreational rentals three years ago. The online registration for their 2024 sailing classes is open (kenoshasailing.org) and community members are encouraged to become involved either as sailing students, boat builders or volunteers.
The center also welcomes corporate sponsors and individuals who are interested in helping them grow boatbuilding activities in our community. If you or your company is interested in learning more, please email the Kenosha Community Sailing Center at info@kenoshasailing.org or give them a call.
For up-to-date KCSC news you can get on the email mailing list or follow the Kenosha Community Sailing Center on their social media. The next youth (ages 11-14) boat building workshop series will begin Saturday, April 6, 9am – 12pm and will run for three consecutive Saturday mornings. Youth must be pre-registered by phone (262) 997-9343.