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to Florida Maritime Museum
Educational Programs
Some of our volunteer boatbuilders.
Boatbuilding and Restoration
The Florida Maritime Museum
has several interesting programs that you may want to
become involved in. At the Museum’s temporary headquarters
in the Cortez Community Center at 4523 123rd St. Crt.
W. Volunteers work to preserve traditional boatbuilding
skills. Working Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from
9:00 to 3:30 the crew is currently restoring a lovely
Bahamas Sloop as well as building a new 12' Coquina
Skiff. Volunteers work with Master Boatbuilder Bob Pitt
and prior woodworking experience isn't necessary.
Master boatbuilder, Bob Pitt, teaches local
children traditional skills.
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The children enjoy the "hands-on"
approach.
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Traditional Small Craft Association
(T.S.C.A.)
A second program is the Traditional Small
Craft Association (T.S.C.A.) which is a group that gets
together to use their boats at events called "messabouts."
A messabout is a disorganized gathering where the primary
activities include rowing, sailing or paddling boats
that are of traditional design or construction. Canoes,
kayaks, and small sailboats, preferably built by the
owners in wood (but not necessarily so) get together
to explore, picnic, and "talk boat" in some
of the most beautiful places on the water in Florida.
You don't have to have a boat to be a member because
there's always space in somebody's boat and the group
is all about learning from each other.
Tampa Bay Ship Model Society
A newly affiliated program is the Tampa Bay Ship Model Society. With a primary focus on ship
models the group expects to meet on a regular basis
to share model making methods, techniques and projects
underway. Models built for the new Museum's collection
and exhibitions are hoped for as part of the group's
regular work, and much more.
Coming Soon....Weekend Classes
In the near future, the Museum will be
offering classes in traditional boatbuilding and related
skills. Most of the classes will be scheduled for weekends,
though some will be at other times of the week as well.
Wooden boatbuilding, model making, oar making, lofting,
tool making, plane making, woodcarving, net making,
sail making and other classes are in the works. All
classes are designed for the skilled woodworker and
the complete novice as well. Classes will be listed
on the website as soon as dates have been selected.
The boat is beginning to take shape.
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The volunteers take the boat out to test her
seaworthiness.
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