News from the Northwest Maritime Center >>

As most readers know, 48° North has been published by the Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC) since 2018. We are continually amazed by the inspiring and important work of our colleagues and organization, and are excited to dedicate this page to sharing a bit about it with you. This page affirms that 48° North is part of something bigger, and that we think the missionminded efforts of our organization matter to our readers, and are good for this community and publication.

KEEPING THE FLEET AFLOAT: WINTER MAINTENANCE SEASON AT NWMC

The smell of sawdust, paint, and epoxy is in the air. Northwest Maritime Center's skilled crew is in the midst of fleet maintenance season, and that means a busy, bustling Boatshop. This maintenance season, which spans from October to April, 42 of NWMC's fleet of boats will be rotating through the shop for upkeep and repairs. They range widely in size and style — from 8-foot prams to a Cal 25 sailboat. Some boats only need a little touch-up paint, while others will receive 500 hours of work.

Sam Trocano, NWMC's Fleet Maintenance Coordinator, leads these maintenance efforts. A graduate of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, Sam has been working with wood for almost his whole life. Growing up, he managed his family’s tree and timber farm. As an adult, he worked in construction and fine homebuilding, even pursuing a BFA in Woodworking and Furniture Design, before changing course to boatbuilding and becoming a shipwright. His focus, currently, is on three very different vessels — Townshend, one of NWMC's two longboats; a Cal 20 keelboat; and Martha J, NWMC's motor launch.

“Townshend got a lot of love last year, so this season is fairly straightforward,” says Trocano. An integral part of NWMC's educational programs for school children, Townshend is a 26-foot open rowing vessel used to teach team building and leadership skills. This year’s to-do list consists of oiling the hull, oars, and spars; fresh paint on the sole boards and thwarts; and another coat of bottom paint. Students from Bravo Team — a youth program run in partnership with Port Townsend School District’s OCEAN program — assisted with Townshend’s haulout in early January. Since then, they have been hands-on in the Boatshop learning basic maintenance skills as they help check items off her to-do list.

Also receiving maintenance is NWMC's Cal 20, which is used to teach US Sailing Basic Keelboat classes for adults. The vessel is enjoying some standard yearly TLC — including a rig inspection and sail repairs — in addition to a custom paint job featuring the Northwest Maritime Center colors and logo. Sam also plans to refair the keel while she’s on the hard to enhance her performance.

EVENTS CALENDAR » www.nwmaritime.org/events

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March 21-23

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While those are both sizable projects, the biggest maintenance undertaking this seasons is Martha J. The 24-foot motor launch is NWMC's MVP for duties such as a mark boat for races or a safety boat for capsize drills. “She had extensive rot in the transom, frames, deck beams, and planking. The engine and all systems were removed. I cleaned and surveyed the boat before coming up with this year’s work plan,” Trocano explains. That plan includes replacing the transom, aft deck, and sole boards, in addition to stripping, inspecting, and resealing the hull. Fresh bilge paint has already been applied and new seating will go in soon. The systems maintenance is ongoing and re-installation will begin shortly. Gabriel Hefley and Drew Morris, two of NWMC's interns through the Harbor Freight Fellows Initiative, have been a tremendous help, putting in many hours of hard work to bring Martha J back to her former glory!

Maintaining a fleet of boats is no small feat, but at the Northwest Maritime Center, it’s a labor of love. These boats are essential to the organization's educational classes and youth programs, and the team of Boatshop staff, volunteers, students, and interns work tirelessly to ensure that every vessel is ready to set sail. If you’re interested in gaining experience in wooden boat maintenance and restoration while helping to maintain NWMC's fleet, consider becoming a Boatshop volunteer by visiting the volunteer page at www.nwmaritime.org or emailing volunteer@ nwmaritime.org. For anyone feeling inspired to do their own boatbuilding, NWMC also offers Boatshop classes year-round!

DEMYSTIFYING MARINE VARNISH

March 25

NWMC Boatshop

MARINE THRIFT SWAP MEET

April 1

Marine Thrift

315B Haines Pl.,Port Townsend

THE PARTIES ARE BACK!