The East End Classic Boat Society dedicates itself to preserving and promoting traditional marine craftsmanship and the enduring integrity of fine marine design, whether it is represented in recreational or working watercraft. We were founded by several local residents in 1998, and incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1999.
We count sailors, fisherman, model makers, authors, artists, historians, local history buffs, restorers, and boat builders among our members. Many are resourceful do-it-yourself people who have built or restored their own boats. And some members simply prefer to admire other people's handiwork. Several members are professional boat builders or restoration experts who offer their time and skills generously. Ownership of a boat is not necessary to become a member. What is necessary however is a high regard for good marine design and an understanding of, in our throw-away society, the benefits of high-quality traditional craftsmanship.
The East End Classic Boat Society hosts local marine events, exhibits classic boats, and conducts community workshops to teach the skills necessary to build and preserve quality, handcrafted wooden boats. We're proud of our young organization, staffed entirely by volunteers, because we fulfill our purpose.
The East End Classic Boat Society provides our members and the public with:
Workshops in boat restoration and building techniques
Workshops in navigation and marlinspike seamanship
Classic boat displays and fleet visits, allowing local people to experience the grace and beauty of restored boats
Multi-media presentations and films
Lectures and panel discussions
Local history research, such as contributing to the Black Whalers exhibit at the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum
Local cultural events such as bringing sail training vessels to the area
Model displays
Restoration and new-build projects
Family boat building
Events from years past:
2004 - Tom Bennett Skiff Project Our 2004 boat building focus last summer was a 12-foot local gunning sharpie once plentiful on the East End. Rob Barker led a team that studied and took the lines from a 100 year old Tom Bennett skiff in the East Hampton Marine Museum's collection. The team built a white cedar replica over oak and hackmatack, using the methods and simple-but-strong philosophy of Mr. Bennett himself. While the boat was being constructed, Pat Mundus interviewed local descendants of the builder and researched the Amagansett boat builder. Pat wrote a history of Tom Bennett, his boats, and our marine-based economy in turn-of-the-century eastern Long Island. In February of 2005, Rob and Pat gave a talk on Tom Bennett and his boats as part of the East Hampton Historical Society's Hands that Built East Hampton lecture series.
2003 - Held a family boat building event on the grounds of the East Hampton Town Maritime Museum, leading community volunteers in building a rowing skiff, focusing on the use of basic hand tools. The public visited the museum to view the construction.
2002 - In conjunction with the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum and the Eastville Community Historical Society, we brought traditionally constructed schooner Amistad to Sag Harbor for a week-long cultural program. Over a thousand local school children visited the ship during our program in Sag Harbor.
2001 - Held a family boat building program. Staffed by volunteers, and lacking a facility of our own, EECBS and participating families built five small boats on the lawn of the Sag Harbor Customs House. An encouraging public viewed our progress over the course of six Saturdays.
2000 - Began the restoration of a small boat originally built by John Collins at the first East Hampton Town Boat Shop. It became the focus of volunteers throughout the community as they learned about local marine history and the skills necessary to restore a small boat.
1999 - Sponsored a lecture and exhibit at the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum and commissioned a video tape on Gil Smith, a well-known Long Island working and recreational boat designer.
