The Boatshop

05/31/2026

From the archives: In 2024 The Boatshop's founder Nate Piper had his story captured as part of the Story Preservation Initiative. If you want to learn more about how Nate got his start in boatbuilding and what he's passionate about in his work, you can listen here:

Nate Piper is the owner-operator of Piper Boatworks in Rye, New Hampshire. In his SPI recording, Nate talks about growing up in seacoast New Hampshire, where, as a young man, he was given his initial exposure to boating and gained invaluable experience working at local boatyards and marinas. This h...

05/25/2026

Thanks to this group of hardworking volunteers for helping to put the "pop" in our "pop-up workshop" last week! Using repurposed wood and fasteners from our previous space, they have done all the prep work for the new mobile work benches we'll use for camps and events this year.

Want to lend a hand with this project? The next work session will take place Sunday, May 31, 1-5pm in Portsmouth.

No experience or special skills needed!

Sign up on our website: theboatshop.org/volunteer

05/22/2026

Today is National Maritime Day! First designated in 1933, the date of the annual observance was originally inspired by 1819 departure of the SS Savannah from Savannah, GA, which went on to complete the first successful transoceanic voyage under steam power.

Now it's a day to recognize the the recognizes the U.S. Merchant Marine and the maritime industry.

At The Boatshop, we know that mariners are not born, they are made—one experience at a time.

And we need your help to bring those experiences to the Seacoast.

We invite you to donate $19 or $33 to The Boatshop's Growth Fund in honor of National Maritime Day.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/The-Boatshop-Growth-Fund

Together, we're not just building boats, we're building people.

05/07/2026

Join the crew this summer! Volunteers make our work possible and we’re excited to share our schedule of upcoming of volunteer opportunities.

Whether you have two hours to give or want to get more involved, The Boatshop offers volunteers a way to help connect people of all ages to the Seacoast's maritime heritage through boatbuilding.

No special skills, experience or long-term commitment are necessary to be a volunteer.

At The Boatshop we’re not just building boats, we’re building community—and we invite you to join us!

Coming up in May/June:

Build Our Pop-up Infrastructure: Construct mobile benches for use in this year’s pop-up Boatshop (at the Wentworth-Gardiner warehouse) and at other events. (Thursday, May 21, noon-4pm & Sunday, May 31, 1pm-5pm)

Prep Camp Materials: Cut wood blanks for model boat hulls and keels, dowels for spars and fabric for sails. Organize and sharpen tools. (Friday, June 12, 1-4pm & Saturday, June 13, 9am-12pm)

Check out the website for the full schedule and to sign up: https://theboatshop.org/volunteer.

05/04/2026

We enjoyed hosting the Guild of NH Woodworkers boat building subgroup on Saturday at our new pop-up workshop in the Wentworth-Gardner's newly preserved 1790 warehouse. One of only three remaining barns of its age in New Hampshire, we can't WAIT to hold our summer camps in this historic and picturesque riverfront space.

Thank you for all who attended to learn more about our work with kids, the replica Piscataqua River Wherry and how to build a half model, and to our partners at the Wentworth-Gardner Historic House Association for making the space available.

Want to learn more about what we're up to, how to volunteer or invest in our work? Visit theboatshop.org for full scoop!

04/28/2026

Last chance to RSVP for Saturday's (May 2, 1-3pm) Volunteer Information Session.

Whether you are a returning volunteer or an interested first-timer, this event will cover everything you need to know to learn about volunteering this summer with The Boatshop, including how to sign-up!

Learn more and RSVP here: https://theboatshop.org/volunteer

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day from everyone at The Boatshop. Oh how lucky we are to live in this beautiful place and to have the opportunity to help connect the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and stewards to the watershed we all call home.

You can support our work by making a donation to our Growth Fund here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/The-Boatshop-Growth-Fund

04/18/2026

Calling All Interested Volunteers!

Volunteer Information Event
Saturday, May 2, 1-3pm

Join us in our NEW pop-up workshop in the preserved warehouse on the grounds of the Wentworth Gardner Historic House to learn about summer volunteer opportunities.

In addition to running The Boatshop’s signature youth camps,
we will be participating in several events—and we need your help!

There are a variety of roles available. No boatbuilding experience is necessary—just an interest and enthusiasm for the connecting with your community.

Whether you are a returning volunteer or an interested first-timer, this event will cover everything you need to know to learn about this summer’s opportunities, including how to sign-up!

Please RSVP by April 29 here: https://theboatshop.org/volunteer

The Wentworth Gardner House is located at 50 Mechanic Street, Portsmouth.

Light refreshments will be served.

Volunteers make our work possible! We hope you’ll join us to learn more.

03/20/2026

Thanks to our generous supporters for putting the SPRING in our growth plans!

Haven't make a contribution yet? You can celebrate the start of a new season today by making a gift to The Boatshop’s GoFundMe Growth Fund at https://www.gofundme.com/f/The-Boatshop-Growth-Fund

03/06/2026

We are pleased to announce that the Wentworth-Gardner Historic House Association (WGHHA) will be opening their historic and newly preserved warehouse to The Boatshop this summer for our hands-on camps!

The 1740’s warehouse (building on the far left in the photo) overlooking the Piscataqua River will serve as a pop-up workshop where campers will learn to work with traditional hand tools. Campers will spend half their day onsite in the Wentworth-Gardner warehouse and the other half of the day offsite with our camp partner, the Gundalow Company, at Creek Farm and on the water.

Partnering with The Boatshop aligns the mission of the Wentworth-Gardner Historic House Association to preserve and enhance its structures, collections, and grounds and to contribute to the vitality of the community through education and outreach.

“The Board of Directors is enthusiastic about this new and unique partnership, which we believe will enhance and honor the structure and original usage of the warehouse with aligned activity,” said Richard Adams, President, WGHHA Board of Directors. “The camps will bring activity and energy to the grounds and will be an opportunity for the association to increase awareness and exposure to the historic property for local families and others with an interest in history.”

Camps will use the warehouse Monday-Friday 9am-3pm during the weeks of July 13 and July 27 and on yet-to-be-determined days and times during the week of August 17.

Gundalow Company