Calling all Volunteers!

Christeen is in Building J and the shipwrights(Josh & Joe) are on location! Give us a call at 516.922.7245 and find out about when we need volunteers! It is a great opportunity to work along side some very talented shipwrights and also be a part of history as you help restore the oldest Oyster Sloop in North America. The original keel dating back to 1883 must be replaced - this is a very complex and time consuming job because of the way boat building was done at the turn of the 19th century. The frames are mortised into the keel making it extremely difficult to pull the keel out from the boat, some use of chainsaws and other cutting implements will be required - fun!  The mast will also need replacing, what better way to learn about how to they rigged a boat nearly 150 years ago then to get your hands dirty rigging one yourself!

Josh and Joe are more than willing to impart their knowledge to those who help out and hopefully you will come back for some family boat building in the near future. But for now we need to keep our eyes set on Christeen and getting her ready for the April 2011 re-launching!

Christeen safely in her temporary winter home