RiversWest Small Craft Center

RiversWest Small Craft Center RiversWest promotes the use of sustainable, beautiful boats built to operate on the human scale. Many enjoy the camaraderie of “messing about” on the water.

Since 1991, RiversWest Small Craft Center has been promoting the use of sustainable, beautiful boats built to operate on the human scale. For some of our members, that means restoring historically correct wooden boats. For others, it is a chance to design and build with the support and input of a like-minded group. We all benefit from the chance to learn from one another. We are often inspired to

get our hands busy building, paddling, rowing, motoring or sailing small craft. To do this, we maintain a shop with some building space available for members, and woodworking tools available for use. We get together informally every couple of weeks to find out what other members are up to. And throughout the year we sponsor classes, conduct a boat show, and work on our connection to the larger boating community. We have a library with books and journals about boat building, boating in general, and many sets of plans. Also, many of our members enjoy the chance to pass on the oral tradition of building and using small craft.

If you’re up in the Port Townsend area and looking to make some paddles!
02/03/2026

If you’re up in the Port Townsend area and looking to make some paddles!

01/26/2026

Love seeing an awesome build with incredible video documentation! 👏 Videos like these can really help demystify process for beginner (and experienced!) boatbuilders.

Applications are now OPEN for 2026 Family Boat Build!The 16th annual Family Boat Build will be held Saturday, June 27 an...
01/13/2026

Applications are now OPEN for 2026 Family Boat Build!

The 16th annual Family Boat Build will be held Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2026.

A “family” can be almost any group interested in building a boat in two days. A group of two can do it if both are handy with tools and group of eight or so can do it, but they might find it a bit crowded.

The event was designed for families, a place where parents and grandparents can interact with kids in a unique way. While we do not limit ages, experience has shown that the ideal ages are 8 and up with two adults. Boats have been successfully built by kids as young as 6 and with only one parent.

All boats parts will be provided together with all the tools needed for the assembly. While minimal woodworking skills are helpful, plenty of experienced boat builders from RiversWest will be available to assist where needed.

The build begins at 9:00 am Saturday, and by 3:00 pm on Sunday, each family will have a finished boat they can take home.

Learn more about this event and register on our website.

RiversWest Small Craft Center announces the 16th annual Family Boat Build, June 27 and 28, and applications are now open. The exciting event has drawn over 150 families in years past. A “family”...

01/11/2026

The 2026 Course Schedule is out now! Forget about winter and start daydreaming about what next summer has in store for you...

https://buff.ly/g5fDSC5

Thinking about joining RiversWest? Try coming to one of our open houses. We gather every first and third Saturday of the...
01/11/2026

Thinking about joining RiversWest? Try coming to one of our open houses. We gather every first and third Saturday of the month at our workshop in St. John’s between 9-10 am.

Come visit RiversWest at the 2026 Portland Boat Show, January 7-11 at the Portland Expo Center.Visit https://www.pdxboat...
12/27/2025

Come visit RiversWest at the 2026 Portland Boat Show, January 7-11 at the Portland Expo Center.

Visit https://www.pdxboatshow.com/ for more info on hours, tickets, and other exhibitors.

01/06/2025

We are at the Portland Boat Show Wednesday Jan 8 through Sunday at the Expo Center. Stop by to talk to members and see some of our member built boats.

Address

8940 N Bradford Street
Portland, OR
97203

Opening Hours

9:30am - 12pm

Website

https://www.riverswest.org/fbb-application.html

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