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Families rekindle art of boat building

Elbow grease, caulking, sandpaper and nails are key ingredients
With a large crowd gathered in Lewes Canalfront Park, Gene Daffern and son Jarrett prepare to launch their skiff on Sunday afternoon. BY RON MACARTHUR
July 6, 2013
Amy Buckley, left, and Amanda Buckley work under the boat as part of Team Buckley. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lori Swift, a member of Bessie's Lewesers, sands the team's skiff during a long work day June 15. BY RON MACARTHUR
Matt DiSabatino applies caulking to the skiff's seams, an important step to keep water out. BY RON MACARTHUR
Gene Daffern lines up nails on the bottom of the skiff. BY RON MACARTHUR
It's all hands on deck as Team Buckley gets in on the action. BY RON MACARTHUR
Luke Ratliff applies caulk to the inside of his team's skiff. BY RON MACARTHUR
Mia DiSabatino works on a little boat project as her family's team works on the big boat. BY RON MACARTHUR
Members of Team Patton are busy sanding their skiff. BY RON MACARTHUR
As Janice Pinto rows, Deena Pers holds up team mascot Bessie on their skiff's maiden voyage in Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. BY RON MACARTHUR
Bessie's Lewesers and supporters cheer as their skiff nears the launch site. BY RON MACARTHUR

From the 1600s until the mid-1800s, hundreds of vessels of all sizes were built on Lewes Creek, now known as the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. The Lewes Historical Society rekindles the art of boat building each year during its Family Boat Building Weekend.

This year, eight teams worked with the aid of society volunteers the weekend of June 14-16 to build shallow-draft wooden boats called Bevin’s skiffs. The society's wooden boat crew had pre-cut pieces for each boat.

At about 12 feet long, these wooden boats are great for fishing and recreation. The Bevin’s skiff was created to be a teaching vessel, designed to be constructed by beginning builders, and is a perfect introductory boat for families.

After construction, the teams launched their new handmade skiffs at Lewes Canalfront Park.

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