Yacht

on watch
Class in Session at Wooden Boat Rescue
East Haddam, Connecticut “Real
restoration for real people” is how the
Wooden Boat Rescue Foundation’s
Bruce Elfstrom describes classes now
being offered at the growing organization’s
shop fifteen miles up the
Connecticut River from Long Island
Sound.
Elfstrom originally founded WBRF to
act as an intermediary, connecting
those who would commit to the
restoration of a wooden boat with
owners willing to give their boats
away, knowing they’d be brought
back to life. The idea has proven to
be a popular one and those adopting
the classics have been asking Elfstrom
to begin teaching classes on-site.
Initially hopeful that the invitation
would be met with enthusiasm, Bruce
was not surprised to find that the first
classes filled speedily.
“Everyone I talked to said this would
never work”, said Elfstrom. “But the
classes are filled with aspiring shipwrights
from Rhode Island to Virginia.”
Not claiming to be a seasoned shipwright
himself, Bruce has attracted
the talented Wade Smith, supervisor
of the John Gardner Boat Shop at
Mystic Seaport, to help teach most
classes. Each third weekend another
experienced shipwright steps in to
guide the class. Teachers include
Ross Gannon from Gannon & Benjamin
on Martha’s Vineyard and Walter
Ansel of the WoodenBoat School.
Classes run $200 per month with
discounts for a 4-month commitment
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