Dan's Papers - March 7, 2008 - Wooden Ships on the Water, Sailing Free and Easy

From AMFs to Zodiacs, the shores of the Hamptons are littered with boats and while most of these seafaring vessels are pumped out of factories from fiberglass molds, there are a select few, beautiful wooden ships sailing among them. These boats are a reminder of the stunning craftsmanship of a bygone time. Like many trades that have been replaced by machines, shipbuilding was a major industry on the east coast. But as whaling went out of fashion and pleasure boats evolved into powerboats, wood was replaced by polymer and epoxies. Sure these boats are considered faster, safer and more hydrodynamic, but what about the simple magnificence of wood grain? Of something built by hand? Of something that was unique?

With so much of the East End looking for the newest things, it's a good thing that some Hamptons residents have their feet planted in tradition. The East End Classic Boat Society (EECBS) started in the 1990s at an abandoned lobster pound at the end of Gann Road on Three Mile Harbor, when a few men came together and began restoring wooden boats. The property was eventually taken over by the East Hampton Town Marine Patrol and they were forced out. In 1999, the EECBS became an incorporated non-profit organization and like a ship in a storm, found safe harbor wherever they could. Boats were built in the yards of members, on the lawn of the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum and at the Marine Museum on Bluff Road in Amagansett.

About three years ago, acknowledging the merit of the EECBS, the Historic Society of East Hampton offered property adjacent from the Marine Museum to construct a community boat building facility. The process of raising funds (over $350,000 has been privately donated) and building the boat shop has been a long one, but by this summer the EECBS should have a new home and the East End will have an incredible permanent resource. The timber framed structure stands at 28' x 48' and provides ample room to work on all types of ships - the first of which will probably be a replica of an 18-foot surf dory. The dory is based on the 100-year-old design of Amagansett boat builder Tom Bennett. With the new facilities in Amagansett and Bennett's historic prominence in East End waters, it is an appropriate undertaking for the EECBS.

There are also talks - just talks mind you, - between some of the members to build a whaleboat. With Sag Harbor's history rooted in the whaling industry, building a whaleboat seems like a fitting project. The Society would look to use the 32-foot long boat during Harborfest and perhaps even compete in races against whaleboat replicas from Newport and Mystic. Other projects on the horizon are finishing two Optimus Pram boats and a Lightning class sailboat. They would be sold or raffled at the end of the summer.

The East End Classic Boat Society isn't just about classic boats and you don't even need to own a boat to become a member. You just need a love of boats and the nautical life. A wonderful offering of the EECBS are classes in boatbuilding, Although they had to be put on the back burner during the construction of the new shop, look for classes this summer in all nautical fields, including rope splicing, steam bending, navigation skills, oar making, and spar making. This summer, the EECBS will also offer classes in building wooden kayaks.

Not interested in getting your hands dirty, but still intrigued by what the EECBS is all about? Members are at the East Hampton Marine Museum on Wednesdays and Saturdays and are always looking for volunteers. Another option is to visit Louse Point on the second weekend in August for their annual picnic. Classic boats, mostly built or repaired by the Society, are on shore for you to borrow. Take a row or sail in one of these beautiful boats and you'll begin to understand the power of a hand-made vessel. When you experience the magnificence of these boats, you will understand the craftsmanship and man-hours that have gone into constructing these floating works of art. Then all you have to do is join the EECBS. With the return to wooden boats comes retro prices: The cost of membership is only 25 bucks.