Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum

06/23/2026

WIN A BOAT | SUPPORT A LEGACY

Imagine starting next boating season with a handcrafted RowMe skiff of your very own.

The RowMe Raffle is your chance to win a beautiful wooden skiff while helping preserve and share North Carolina's rich maritime heritage through the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

Designed by Glen-L and built by dedicated volunteers and Maritime Museum staff at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center in Beaufort, this skiff reflects the craftsmanship, education, and community spirit that define our waterfront heritage.

🎟️ No membership required to purchase a raffle ticket.

📅 The winning ticket will be drawn at the Friends Annual Membership Meeting in January 2027, and all raffle ticket purchasers will be invited to attend the drawing live.

⚓ Winner must pick up the boat from the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC. (Trust us—you'll want to see her in person anyway.)

Every ticket helps support educational programs, exhibits, traditional boatbuilding and the preservation of our coastal history.

Will your ticket be the one that takes home this one-of-a-kind skiff?

Get your tickets today:
https://rafflecreator.com/pages/97811/the-rowme-raffle--a-coastal-heritage-fundraiser

06/22/2026

⛵ Better Late Than Never ... Meet Our 420 Sailors! ⛵

As we wrap up sharing highlights from Session 1, we couldn't leave out our 420 sailors—the advanced group that spends their time refining skills, building confidence, and taking their sailing to the next level.

These sailors have moved beyond the basics and are learning the finer points of boat handling, sail trim, teamwork, strategy, and reading wind and water conditions. Sailing a 420 requires communication, trust, and quick decision-making, with pairs working together as a team every moment they are on the water.

What makes this group especially exciting is that many of these sailors began their journey in the same Optis and Skiff classes we've featured over the past few weeks. Through practice, perseverance, and plenty of time on the water, they've developed into skilled sailors who now help set the standard for those coming behind them.

Session 1 may have come to a close, but the memories—and the learning—will last far longer than a couple weeks on the water.

🎓 And stay tuned! Graduation photos and videos from Session 1 will be coming soon as we celebrate the accomplishments of all of our sailors, from first-time Opti students to our experienced 420 crews.

Congratulations to all of our Session 1 sailors. We can't wait to see what the rest of the summer brings!

06/15/2026

⛵ As Promised... Meet Our Opti Sailors! ⛵

While our last video featured some of our more experienced intermediate sailors, today we're shining the spotlight on our Opti sailors—the beginners who are just starting their sailing journey.

For many of these students, this is their very first time in a sailboat. Just a few days ago, terms like rigging, tacking, points of sail, and wind direction were completely new concepts. Now they're learning how to steer, control their sails, leave and return to the dock safely, recover from mistakes, and most importantly, build confidence on the water.

What makes Junior Sailing so special isn't how quickly a student learns—it is watching them discover that they can do something they may have never imagined themselves doing before.

Every experienced sailor started exactly where these students are today: asking questions, making mistakes, practicing skills, and learning one lesson at a time.

Watching their confidence grow from Day 1 to Day 6 has been incredible, and we can't wait to see where the rest of the session takes them.

Give these future sailors some encouragement in the comments! ⬇️

⚓ Fun Question:
Can you remember the first time you learned something that seemed impossible at first, but became easier with practice?

06/11/2026

⛵ Junior Sailing Session 1 – Days 2 & 3 Recap ⛵

The learning curve is steep, but our sailors are rising to the challenge!

Over the last two days, students have been building the foundation that turns beginners into confident sailors. They've reviewed capsize and recovery, steering and towing, boat parts and rigging, wind direction, points of sail, safety positions, controlling speed, tacking, docking, leaving the dock, and navigating a figure-eight course.

One of the biggest lessons? Understanding how the sail works. While the terminology is important, what matters most is learning to "feel" the boat and recognize when the sail is working efficiently.

Day 3 focused on reviewing key skills while adding new concepts like sailing upwind, getting out of irons, and understanding why the boat behaves the way it does. One of our favorite parts of the day is the "Why?" Q&A session, where students can ask questions about things they experienced on the water. Building confidence starts with understanding.

The sailors featured in this video are our intermediate students—those with at least two years of sailing experience. They are continuing to refine their skills while gaining independence and confidence on the water.

Don't worry—we'll be sharing videos soon featuring our Opti sailors (our newest sailors) and our 420 sailors (our advanced group) as well!

❓ Sailing Challenge:
What do you think it means when an instructor tells a sailor to have "a little bit of luff" in their sail?
Drop your guess below before checking the answer in the comments! ⬇️

06/08/2026

⚓ Junior Sailing 2026 is Underway! ⛵

Today marks the kickoff of the first of four Junior Sailing sessions this summer at the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort!

Forty-two young sailors are starting their adventure this week, joining more than 320 students who will take to the water throughout the summer.

And yes—there are still a few spots remaining for those looking to join the fun.

Today is all about building a strong foundation:

🌊 Swim tests
🤝 Meeting instructors and new friends
⛵ Learning parts of the boat
🔧 Introduction to rigging and de-rigging
🛟 Capsize demonstrations
⚠️ Most importantly — water safety

Whether they've been sailing for years or are stepping onto a sailboat for the very first time, every sailor begins with the same goal: learning, growing, building confidence, and having fun on the water.

With enthusiastic students, supportive parents, and a dedicated team of instructors, we're excited to launch another incredible summer of sailing, friendship, and adventure.

Here's to fair winds and a great first session! ☀️⚓

06/07/2026

⛵ Tomorrow We Sail!

The boats are rigged. The motors are checked. The tents are up. The instructors are ready.

Today was all about final preparations as our incredible Junior Sailing team spent the day getting everything in place for a summer on the water. From launching boats and testing equipment to setting up our waterfront classroom, the excitement is building.

A huge shout out to the incredible work of our volunteers, staff and North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort and Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center staff and volunteers. Without the many hands this program would not be possible.

This summer, we’ll welcome more than 230 young sailors, guided by nearly 20 experienced instructors and counselors, with a fleet of 30 student boats ready to help them learn, grow, and build confidence on the water.

What starts as a sailing program becomes so much more — friendships, teamwork, independence, stewardship of our coastal waters, and memories that last a lifetime.

Tomorrow, the docks come alive.

See you on the water, sailors. ⚓️🌊☀️

05/07/2026

There were so many moments that made the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show special — from the handcrafted boats lining Front Street and the docks, to the music, demonstrations, volunteers, and smiling faces in the rain. ⚓️

But we want to know from you:

What was your favorite part of the day?

Was it:
🛶 The incredible wooden boats
🎶 The live music and shanties
🪚 The demonstrations at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
🍿 Visiting vendors and exhibits
👋 Seeing friends and community come together
🌧️ The “rain can’t stop Beaufort” spirit
❤️ Or something else entirely?

Share your favorite memory or photo in the comments below!

Thank you for helping make the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show such a memorable celebration of North Carolina’s maritime heritage.

Huge thank you to Tuppence featuring Simon Spalding & Sara Kirtland Spalding for creating such a fun atmosphere with their incredible tunes!

05/04/2026

It wasn’t the weather that made the day — it was the people.

From the moment the first boats lined Front Street to the last conversations along the docks, the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show was powered by something stronger than steady rain. It was powered by community.

To our volunteers — the early arrivals, the problem solvers, the ones who filled every gap and never asked for recognition — you are the heartbeat of this event.

To our sponsors — your support doesn’t just make this show possible, it elevates it. You help us honor craftsmanship, preserve tradition, and create something meaningful for everyone who walks these streets.

To our vendors and musicians — you brought energy, character, and life to every corner of the day.

To the boat owners — thank you for sharing your artistry, your time, and your stories. These boats aren’t just vessels… they’re living history.

To the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort staff and Friends team — this is what it looks like when mission meets momentum. Same harbor. Different roles. One shared purpose.

And to every single visitor who showed up — rain jackets, umbrellas, and all — thank you for proving that tradition still matters.

Despite a full day of rain, the streets were full, the docks were alive, and the spirit of this show never wavered.

And an especially heartfelt thank you to Grant Caraway, whose leadership carried this event from planning to ex*****on. The level of care, coordination, and commitment behind the scenes did not go unnoticed.

Fifty years of preserving maritime tradition — and it’s never felt stronger.

Do you spot yourself or someone you know? Tag them and let them know.

05/04/2026