50th Anniversary Reunion Event

Our first Sunday Public Sail of the Year!

Last month we hosted our first public sail of the year. Under partly cloudy skies our skippers and volunteers did an outstanding job showing off our beautiful lake and wonderful fleet. Boathouse 5 was a particular hit, ferrying folks past gasworks and back again. Many a family left our docks smiling so good job to everyone who helped pull it off! 

New Digital Membership Cards
 

Youth Summer Camps & Racing Teams

Our Youth Summer Camps are still open for sign ups in the months of June through August, but they're filling up fast! These programs are some of the most impactful CWB offers, teaching maritime skills and traditions that can be applied far beyond the water.

Also make sure to check out our Race Teams. CWB's Youth Sailing team is returning, but this year it's joined by a Youth Dragon Boat team. These are exciting opportunities for kids to work on teamwork and communication, so make sure to check it out. 

Become a Volunteer

Join CWB as a Volunteer! Just about every program we run requires our volunteers to be on board. No matter which areas of CWB your interests lie in, you can give some time and have a great time in the process by working on it. Our volunteer community is vibrant, welcoming, and absolutely necessary for maintaining the identity of CWB. 

Boats for Sale

50th Anniversary Opening Weekend Public Sail

Filipinos and Washington's Waterfront

The Center for Wooden Boats is excited to present
“Filipinos and Washington’s Waterfront.” 

Come join us at the Wagner Education Center to view our newest exhibit exploring the history of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans on Washington’s waterfronts. Members of our community, and their stories, who have shaped the Northwest into what it is today. 

The Center for Wooden Boats is so pleased to host this important piece of our maritime history in partnership with The Filipino American National Historical Society and Maritime Washington.

This exhibit will be open to the public from April to mid-May, so stop in and check it out. 

New Digital Membership Cards
 

Not a Member Yet?
Join today — or renew your membership — and enjoy all the benefits while helping us keep our docks vibrant and our maritime traditions alive.

Youth Summer Camps
June - August

Register now for our youth summer camps! One of the most important things we do here at the CWB is pass on the knowledge and love of boating to the next generation. Whether they’re stepping into a boat for the first time or returning for another summer, campers leave with new friendships, new skills, and a deeper connection to the water. 

Become a Volunteer

Without our Volunteers, The Center for Wooden Boats would not be the place we all hold so dearly. It is our volunteers that are our best ambassadors, educators, and historians. We welcome anyone interested in becoming closer with CWB to join the community!

Boats for Sale

CWB's Spring Fling Regatta – March 28th

Join us for our Second Annual Spring Fling Sailing Regatta on March 28! The regatta is open to all sailboats under 36 feet. This is your chance to shake off the winter rust and get back on the water for a fun day of racing. The Spring Fling will be a daylong event including a BBQ and awards after the racing.

New Digital Membership Cards

Last weekend we launched our new digital membership cards. All current members should have received an email with instructions to add their card to their phone for quick and easy access when visiting CWB. To receive member discounts onsite, a valid membership card must be presented at the time of purchase.

If you did not receive your digital card, prefer not to use a digital version, or have any questions, please contact us at membership@cwb.org and we will be happy to assist.

Not a Member Yet?
Join today — or renew your membership — and enjoy all the benefits while helping us keep our docks vibrant and our maritime traditions alive.

Youth Summer Camps
June - August

Summer at The Center for Wooden Boats is just around the corner and registration for our youth summer camps is now open. These hands-on programs give young people the chance to build confidence, learn practical maritime skills, and spend their days on the water sailing, rowing, and exploring Lake Union. Whether they’re stepping into a boat for the first time or returning for another summer, campers leave with new friendships, new skills, and a deeper connection to the water.

Chesapeake Light Craft Boatbuilding

May 4 - 9

Have you ever wanted to build your own wooden kayak? This spring, our Boatshop team is offering a special week-long workshop to build the Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC) Kayak. Participants will spend the week in the Boatshop learning the craft of wooden boatbuilding while constructing their own kayak to take home. Because kits must be ordered in advance, registration is required by March 15 to ensure your materials arrive in time.

Fuel the Mission

As we celebrate 50 years of getting people on the water, we are deeply grateful for the community that has made this place possible. Your generosity keeps our docks alive with learning, connection, and adventure, from youth sailing and boat restoration to hands-on programs that welcome thousands each year. As we look toward the next fifty years, your tax-deductible gift helps sustain these programs and ensures that CWB remains a place where maritime heritage is lived, shared, and passed on. Please consider making a gift today and be part of carrying this tradition forward.

Become a Volunteer

Volunteers are the heart of The Center for Wooden Boats. From restoring historic vessels in the Boatshop to helping guests get out on the water, our volunteers make it all possible. Whether you have maritime experience or are simply eager to learn, we invite you to join our community and be part of keeping wooden boat traditions alive.

Host Your Event on the Water

Make your next gathering unforgettable at The Center for Wooden Boats. Our historic boathouse and waterfront setting offer stunning views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline — the perfect backdrop for weddings, holiday parties, corporate events, or family celebrations. Add in the charm of our living museum and you’ll create memories your guests will talk about for years. Fleet Keeper members receive 10% off facility rentals!

Boats for Sale

Small Boat Navigation Class

November 8 & 9

Ready to take your small boat adventures further? Join our Small Boat Navigation workshop, a two-day, ten-hour course offered Saturday and Sunday, November 8 and 9.

You will learn how to use nautical charts and essential publications to plan trips, read tide and current data, and navigate Puget Sound’s dynamic waters with confidence. Whether you paddle, row, or sail, this hands-on class gives you the tools to explore safely and independently.

Navigation materials are provided, and each participant will take home a Puget Sound chart to continue planning new adventures.

Register Today!

US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification

November 1 - December 6

Ready to take your sailing to the next level? Join our Basic Keelboat course, a multi-week, hands-on class that follows the US Sailing Certification pathway and builds the skills needed to handle a keelboat safely and confidently.

Through a combination of on-the-water practice and classroom instruction, you will learn sail trim, boat handling, docking, and safety essentials while building toward national certification. No prior experience is required, and all materials are included.

This course runs November 1 through December 6 and is a great next step for SailNOW! graduates or anyone eager to deepen their sailing knowledge.

Register Today!

Small Boat Cruising Clinic
November 23

Ready for your first day trip beyond the dock, or a confidence refresher before winter, join our Small Boat Cruising Clinic on Sunday, November 23.

In one focused session you will practice chart checks, route planning, reading wind, tides, and currents, reefing and sail balance, anchoring and docking, and crew communication. This clinic is a great next step after SailNOW!, and a solid tune-up for returning sailors.

Spots are limited, early registration is encouraged.

REGISTER TODAY!

Fuel the Mission

We are deeply grateful for our community’s generosity — it keeps our docks alive with learning, connection, and adventure. As the busy summer season winds down, your support is what fuels our mission through the quieter fall months. Every tax-deductible donation helps sustain youth sailing, boat restoration, and hands-on programs that connect people to the water. Please consider making a gift today and know that your support makes an immediate and lasting difference.

DONATE TODAY!

Important Membership Update!

We value our members and want to be sure you don’t miss a thing. Please note that memberships are not currently auto-renewing. Please check your status today by emailing Corey McDaniel, Development Director at cmcdaniel@cwb.org or renew online now to ensure you continue enjoying your benefits.

As a member, you receive discounts on classes, boat rentals, and our gift shop, along with exclusive invitations to member events — and you help keep CWB’s living museum thriving. Your membership support fuels everything we do, from restoring historic boats to teaching the next generation of mariners.

Not a Member Yet?
Join today — or renew your membership — and enjoy all the benefits while helping us keep our docks vibrant and our maritime traditions alive.

Join or Renew Today!

Boats for Sale

CWB's 20th Annual Norm Blanchard W.O.O.D. Regatta – September 20

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 20 and join us for a full day of racing in honor of legendary boat builder Norm Blanchard. Open to sailors ages 12 and up, the Norm Blanchard W.O.O.D. (Wooden Open & One Design) Regatta welcomes both CWB livery cardholders and guest boats, with prizes awarded across multiple classes. The day concludes with a festive BBQ and awards celebration (tickets sold separately). Stay tuned for registration opening September 10th!

Public Sail – September 28

Join us for one of the last Public Sails of the season on Sunday, September 28! Enjoy a complimentary ride on one of our classic wooden boats. Registration opens at 10 AM, and spots are first-come, first-served — so arrive early to secure your place. With only two Public Sails left this year, don’t miss your chance to get out on the water with us!

Public Sail is made possible through the generous support of 4Culture, Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, MOHAI, and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.

Youth Programs

Let’s Keep Sailing runs Wednesdays, September 17 – October 29 from 4:30 – 6:30 PM for ages 8–14 (who’ve sailed with us before). Sailors team up in El Toros (ages 8–11) and Fevas (ages 11–14) for fun courses and water activities.

The CWB Youth Race Team (ages 10–15) meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 16 – October 30 from 4:30–7:00 PM, practicing in Fevas and Optis to build skills, teamwork, and race tactics while preparing for local regattas. Scholarships are available through our Young Mariners Initiative to ensure access for all.

Small Boat Navigation Class

Sep. 20 – 21

Want to take your small boat adventures further? Join our Small Boat Navigation workshop, a 10‑hour, two‑day course offered Saturday and Sunday, September 20 – 21, 2025. You'll learn how to use nautical charts and essential publications to plan your trips and tap into tide and current data, especially critical for navigating Puget Sound’s dynamic waters. Whether you're paddling, rowing, or sailing, this hands‑on class gives you the foundational tools to roam with confidence—and even introduces you to local trip destinations. Plus, navigation tools are provided, and you'll get to keep your Puget Sound chart!

CWB volunteers turn time and passion into lasting community impact.

To our incredible volunteers — thank you! From restoring boats to welcoming visitors, from teaching youth to keeping our docks alive with activity, your time and dedication make everything at The Center for Wooden Boats possible. You are the heart of this living museum, and we are deeply grateful for the love and energy you bring to our community every single day.

Important Membership Update!

We value our members and want to be sure you don’t miss a thing. Due to a system outage, memberships are not currently auto-renewing. Please check your status today by emailing Corey McDaniel, Development Director at cmcdaniel@cwb.org or renew online now to ensure you continue enjoying your benefits.

As a member, you receive discounts on classes, boat rentals, and our gift shop, along with exclusive invitations to member events — and you help keep CWB’s living museum thriving. Your membership support fuels everything we do, from restoring historic boats to teaching the next generation of mariners.

Not a Member Yet?
Join today — or renew your membership — and enjoy all the benefits while helping us keep our docks vibrant and our maritime traditions alive.

Fuel the Mission

We are deeply grateful for our community’s generosity — it keeps our docks alive with learning, connection, and adventure. As the busy summer season winds down, your support is what fuels our mission through the quieter fall months. Every tax-deductible donation helps sustain youth sailing, boat restoration, and hands-on programs that connect people to the water. Please consider making a gift today and know that your support makes an immediate and lasting difference.

Host Your Event on the Water

Make your next gathering unforgettable at The Center for Wooden Boats. Our historic boathouse and waterfront setting offer stunning views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline — the perfect backdrop for weddings, holiday parties, corporate events, or family celebrations. Add in the charm of our living museum and you’ll create memories your guests will talk about for years. Fleet Keeper members receive 10% off facility rentals!

Boats for Sale

Community Highlight:
Boats Afloat Show – September 11 – 14

Our friends at the Boats Afloat Show are bringing the Pacific Northwest’s largest floating boat show back to Lake Union, September 11 – 14. Stroll the docks to explore more than 100 sailboats, powerboats, and luxury yachts, and enjoy onshore exhibits, food, live music, and kids’ activities like boat building. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate boating and community right here in South Lake Union.