The Rushton gets its ribs...Apprentice for a Day Program

The wood is being softened in hot water this time, instead of the steam box, so that it can be worked with over longer periods of time.

See the ribs under the steam in the box above?


Trimming the ribs...

Mary Sue working underneath the boat as the ribs are installed.

Boatbuilding always takes a lot of teamwork.

All hands on deck

And with teamwork and a weekend of programs, the ribs are in and she's a beauty!

Apprentice For A Day Smith Island Skiff & Rushton Florida Rowboat at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum March 2011

Ribs or Frames for Rushton get 6 coats of Captain's Spar Varnish while it's still easy to apply

Combing's purple grain will be covered with white paint in Smith Island Skiff

John & John work on sizing the combing for SIS

Decking for Smith Island skiff will get a combing

Rushton Florida Model Rowboat needs varnish before adding ribs (or frames)

Braces keep Rushton's shape for sanding & varnishing

Mack & his friend Dan put first coat of 3-2-1 "oil" inside the SI Skiff

Mack stands for photo while Dan dips his brush for more 3-2-1 oil on SISkiff

Rushton begins to shine with a few coats of varnish

Seems a shame to scuff the Rushton with 220 grit & remove that early varnish shine

Meet our Docent Volunteers Mary Sue and Bob Treynelis

You can be a part of the boatbuilding when you enroll for a day or more in our Apprentice for a Day Public Boatbuilding Program. Bob and Mary Sue Treynelis have also purchased this boat, so they will be enjoying the rowboat soon. Come watch it all happen right now...weekends at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. And when you see Bob or Mary Sue, make sure you mention seeing their work here!

The boat has been moved to the painting room for these steps

Bob and Mary Sue Treynelis sound down yet another coat of varnish. She's beautiful!
Mary Sue along with CBMM's Richard Scofield will be chatting live with the 2 Boomer Babes on Delmarva Public Radio next Saturday, broadcasting from the historic Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD. Be sure to listen or stop by for the lively chat about building Chesapeake Bay boats.

Smith Island Skiff and Rushton Florida Rowboat at AFAD, CBMM

Stem & gains with some varnish

Frame to keep Rushton in shape while varnishing

Bill & Casey helped with the varnish

Varnish brings mahogany keel & sheer & cedar planks to life

Mack tries out the deck

The supports for the front deck added

John & John continue to work on the knees for the Smith Island Skiff

Why use an electric chopsaw when a handheld Japanese Saw will do?

Replacing Edna's Forward Hatch

CBMM's shipwrights and apprentices have continued their wok on the Forward Hatch. 

Drifting final pieces of trunk in place

Laying out for our hatch glue up.

Milling bead board for Delaware.

Drilling for dowel placement using jig.

Setting up dowel jig.

Hatch assembled, deck planks in and ready for caulking, bunging and paint.

Leathering the Boom

The shipwrights and their apprentices have been busy leathering the boom jaws for Edna.

Folding the leather and preparing to nail into place.

Starting to fold and pin the leather into place.

Rushton Florida Rowboat -clean up and sand interior

Sam, Frank, Casey & Bob work from one stem to the
other to remove the SikaFlex caulking that oozed between
the planks.

From above, the Ruston begins to show its' beauty

Bob vacuumed the dust we created while sanding

Jennifer , a professional apprentice at CBMM helped

 apply the first coat of sealer

Two coats of sealer