May 15 and 16, Chesapeake Light Craftwill host its 17th annual small boat rendezvous known as OkoumeFest. “Okoume” is the plantation-grown African hardwood used in tens of thousands of CLC’s build-your-own-boat kits.
John C. Harris, owner and CEO of Chesapeake Light Craft, manufactured some of the first CLC kits in 1994, and since then more than 30,000 boats have been built from his kits and plans. Some of the designs include kayaks, canoes, rowing boats, dinghies, and sailboats.
OkoumeFest kicks off with an open house, a cookout, and a series of seminars at the CLC workshop in Annapolis from 1 to 7 p.m. Last year, some of the demonstrations included fiberglassing, small boat rigging, varnishing, and the ever popular “How to Eat Burgers and Dogs.”
The highlight of the event is an all-day small boat rendezvous on the water at Matapeake State Park on Kent Island on Saturday, where festival goers can paddle, sail, or row nearly every model of canoe, kayak, paddleboard, rowboat, or sailboat in the CLC lineup—more than 60 boats in all.
The event also serves as a meet-up for wooden boat builders up and down the East Coast to show off their handiwork and compete for prizes. More than 300 people attended last year’s event.
The demos will go from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and while the event is free, RSVPs are requested, especially if you want to demo a certain boat.
OkoumeFest appeals to serious boat builders and aficionados of fine craft, but also offers family fun for all ages. There will be a kids table on the beach where little ones can build and decorate free boat models.
Chesapeake Light Craft also hosts monthly in-water demos April 15 through October 14 on the third Wednesday of each month, weather permitting. The demos will be held at Jonas Green Park on the Severn River in Annapolis from 5:30 p.m. to sunset. Again, these demos are free but RSVPs are requested. For more information and the full list of dates, check out clcboats.com. ~KJ
