ROCKLAND — The Apprenticeshop will open its doors to the public on Thursday, Dec. 14, from 5:30 - 7 p.m., for an up close look at the exciting work that’s been underway this past year. One project in particular, a racing class sloop from Ireland called the Dublin Bay 24, will take center stage at 6 p.m., when the team working on the project will speak about their experience building a birdsmouth mast that measures close to 50 feet.

This event will be the last opportunity to see The Dublin Bay 24 before it moves out of the main shop, one step closer to its launch planned for June of 2024. The Dublin Bay 24 is the largest project undertaken by The Apprenticeshop since the organization set down roots at 655 Main Street, Rockland in 1998, and the boat has been undergoing a full rebuild since 2019. Other projects on the shop floor include several Susan Skiffs, a nearly-complete Paul Gartside Skylark daysailer, and a Mermaid Class sloop in the lofting stage.

Over the course of a year, The Apprenticeshop engages over 300 youth in hands-on traditional boatbuilding and seamanship — skills that build not only technical proficiency but also resilience and self-confidence. As a partner site for local and regional schools, The Apprenticeshop introduces middle and high school students to projects like toboggan and ice-boat building, as well as the complex multi-year construction of a sailing sardine carrier. Sailing in the spring and fall is available to local youth while in the summer 8 weeks of sailing camp is offered to kids from here and away.

Adult programs include long-term apprenticeships in wooden boatbuilding as well as short courses in skills adjacent to boatbuilding and seamanship. Current winter workshops on offer are toboggan building, letter carving and sewing a ditty bag by hand.  

All of these hands-on educational programs centered around traditional boatbuilding and seamanship are made possible and affordable with the support of generous donors. By the end of this year, The Apprenticeshop is aiming to hit an ambitious annual appeal goal of $350,000 which will further its mission as a community that cultivates thinkers, makers, and doers through traditional boatbuilding and seamanship to navigate an ever-changing world.

Through fundraising, The Apprenticeshop strives to ensure that people of all ages are able to access our programs regardless of ability to pay. Visit www.apprenticeshop.org to learn more, sign up for a class, or make a donation.

Light refreshments will be served.