One of our signature events at the Deltaville Maritime Museum is our annual family boat building week in June in which families build 14-foot skiffs and then race them.
It’s a tradition that goes back to the founding of the museum in 2002 and is centered around traditional boat building based on the design of John E. Wright, a noted 20th century Deltaville boat builder.
Wright was a boat builder who began building skiffs with his two brothers in Deltaville in the early 1900s. Familiar with the local timber supplies from hauling them throughout the Chesapeake Bay area, John Wright set up shop in his back yard, a common practice of the era.
Wright had access to ample lumber supplies from nearby stands of timber that were sawn into boards by sawmills operating around the community. Wright also had plenty of customers who appreciated the craftsmanship of his work.
His boats are known for their elegant looks while being very serviceable, perfect for either pleasure cruising on Chesapeake Bay or working the water for its signature Virginia blue crabs and oysters.
More than 160 boats have been built and launched over the years at the Deltaville Maritime Museum’s Family Boatbuilding week. The week is as much about family bonding as it is about building a skiff to take out on the bay or a local river or creek.
With names like “Jelly Fish,” “Deborah Ann,” “Flare On,” “Blu C’s,” “Patriot,” “Thunderbird II,” and “Iceberg,” our boat building week gives up to 10 families a year a memorable experience. The week concludes with a race of the skiffs in Mill Creek, which borders the museum grounds.
Our Boat Building Week has been featured in local, regional and trade publications.
FBBW 2025 is full. To be added to the 2026 waitlist click here:
https://www.deltavillemuseum.com/family-boat-building-week
Please remember to not respond to people in the comments about registrations or money. Please order through Deltaville Maritime Museum office directly.
Phone 804.776.7200
Email
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Website:
https://www.deltavillemuseum.com/
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