The Boatshop

Name: The Boatshop
Address: Portsmouth, NH, US
Telephone: (603) 686-2232
Price range: $

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The mission of The Boatshop is to connect audiences of all ages to the rich maritime heritage of the Seacoast through hands-on boatbuilding.

10/04/2026

From wherrys to naval ships, boats have always been an essential component of the social and economic development of the Seacoast communities we call home. Boats are a reflection of human ingenuity, creativity and adaptability and, as such, have much to teach us today.

The Boatshop needs your financial support in order to develop more opportunities for audiences of all ages to connect with the rich maritime heritage of the Seacoast region.

Your donation to The Boatshop’s GoFundMe Growth Fund provides the necessary financial support for our work. Please join us as a supporter today.

Donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/The-Boatshop-Growth-Fund

09/29/2026

It Takes a Watershed

As we call "wrap" on our 2026 programming we'd like to extend a hearty Boatshop thanks to ALL the volunteers who gave so generously of their time, talents and expertise (pictured here are the The Boatshop volunteers and staff who rowed and shaped oars alongside the Captains & Carpenters campers in August).

Over the course of the summer, volunteers donated hundreds of hours of their time in order to create a safe, supportive and engaging environment for the campers. Our work is made possible by this dedicated group.

Interested in joining the crew as a volunteer? Learn more at https://theboatshop.org/volunteer

09/25/2026

Before ‘STEM’ education, there was boatbuilding and seamanship.

When we set about reimaging our “Captains & Carpenters” camp offering for middle school age kids, we wanted to strengthen the boatshop-to-water connection.

We wanted to build a greater awareness of how local environmental conditions influence both the design and the use of watercraft.

And we wanted to reconnect the kids—who are growing up in this default-to-digital era—to their senses, allowing them to build the observational skills so essential to good boatbuilding and good seamanship.

Fast forward to late August: On a cloudy and drizzly Monday morning in the slack waters around Pierce Island boat ramp, 12 campers got their first taste of rowing as a preamble to the week’s boatbuilding task: creating two sets of oars that they would use on Friday.

Back in the pop-up Boatshop in the Wentworth-Gardner warehouse, the campers worked in groups of three to layout the shape of the finished oar on pre-glued-up blanks—a tricky three-dimensional visualization exercise—and began using their spoke shaves and block planes to shape the material.

Throughout the week, campers took weather observations that they recorded in their log books, worked on their knot tying skills, familiarized themselves with the navigational chart, and practiced rowing as they explored the waterways around Portsmouth.

Mid-week, the campers sailed on the gundalow to Wood Island Life Saving Station.

While on board they learned how to use the sweeps—larger versions of the oars they were building in the shop.

The week culminated in a launch ceremony at Creek Farm to celebrate the completion of the oars (which generated three overflowing 35-gallon trash barrels worth of shavings!) and the advancement of the kids’ rowing skills.

Two by two, the campers took turns testing the oars and impressed the cheering crowd of their family members with their coordinated strokes.

Captains & Carpenters—mission accomplished.

You can learn more or support our work at theboatshop.org.

09/07/2026

Not all boat designs stand the test of time. That can't be said of NH's own MerryMac, which beautifully balances form and function. Easy to sail by beginners yet sporting enough to retain the affection of the most accomplished sailors, MerryMac sailboats are comfortable, safe, and truly timeless.

Designed and built by lifetime Dover resident and boatbuilder, Edward "Ned" McIntosh between 1953 and the mid 1960's, the original fleet of approximately 200 boats spawned the founding of the Great Bay Yacht Club. In 2016, Piper Boatworks began producing new numbered MerryMac's using Ned's patterns and molds, giving the next generation of MerryMac enthusiasts the opportunity to discover the joys of sailing.

So it only seems fitting that we have the opportunity to share the news that two MerryMacs—one from each end of this boat's storied history—are currently available for sale. Both in very good, ready to sail condition.

MerryMac #6(!) located in Clearwater, PA: $5,000
MerryMac #254 located in Bethany, CT: $11,300

Full listings and more information about the MerryMac can be found at https://www.piperboatworks.com/used-merrymacs-for-sale.html

08/31/2026

The Captains and Carpenters campers lived up to the name of their week-long stint in The Boatshop. The week began with glued up oar blanks and 12 first time rowers. It ended with them very capably rowing the oars they made themselves using hand tools. What an impressive sight this was!

08/20/2026

This week's Captains & Carpenters campers learning to row the gundalow on the way back from a visit to the restored Wood Island Life Saving Station. The gundalow sweeps are larger versions of the oars the kids are crafting in our pop-up boatshop this week and this was a cool way to put their project into the larger maritime context. # # # #

08/13/2026

This July, Boatshop campers launched 48 new model boats, which join a fleet that now numbers 300!

07/30/2026

We never get tired of the smiles of pride and joy that spread across the kids' faces when they get the hang of using the tools.

Address

Portsmouth, NH

Telephone

(603) 686-2232

Website

http://www.theboatshop.org/

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