Hank Why Wants You to Build a Boat This Summer!

By Sarah Wright

Hank Why has loved wooden boats for as long as he can remember. As a young kid, he began learning about restoring boats and developed a passion for boat building. Later, in 1968, he started spending his summers in Wolfeboro. When the New Hampshire Boat Museum moved to Wolfeboro in the mid-1990s, it was only natural that Hank would become involved with the museum. He knew he would eventually retire to Wolfeboro, and it was the perfect fit for Hank to continue his hobby of working with wooden boats. In fact, he ended up serving on the board from then until 2018. 

The New Hampshire Boat Museum, or NHBM, was originally founded in 1992 by a group of antique and classic boating enthusiasts who wanted to preserve and share the boating heritage of the state’s fresh waterways. After moving around Lake Winnipesaukee for a few years, the museum found a permanent home in Wolfeboro in the former Allen “A” Resort theater and dance hall. However, the goal of the museum was not just to showcase antique boats and display other items from boating’s history. The museum wanted to be an experiential center that focused on “learning through doing” by offering hands-on programs and events. As Hank tells it, the boat building program at the museum got started by a group of guys who were building sailboats for the sailing program. 

Naturally, Hank believed that the wooden boat building school, which has since expanded to classes for youth and adults each summer, was a very important program. “It’s important to pass these skills down to the younger generation, because the skills involved with wooden boat building are fading away,” explains Hank. “There are not a lot of boat building schools in the area anymore.” 

Building a boat is a memorable experience, and you’ll be able to enjoy your handiwork for years to come. As of this writing, the NHBM is still planning to hold its boat building classes, although class size will be smaller this year to help with distancing. Those who are interested should sign up as soon as possible to reserve a spot. Masks will be required, and the museum has an organized plan in place to clean up the work site after each class. Classes take place outside, on the museum’s property. 

The Adult & Family Boat Building session lets adults work by themselves or team up with younger family members. Participants can choose to build a Bevin’s skiff, two-person canoe, one-person kayak, Opti sailboat, or a paddleboard. The class runs from July 11 to 19 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Youth Boat Building session is for boys and girls ages 12 and up. The instructors will demonstrate how to safely use hand tools and a limited number of power tools. Kids can choose to make a two-person canoe, a one-person kayak, or a Bevin’s skiff. The class will run from August 3 to 14, 9 am to 3 pm. If you know a young person who would like to participate, but does not have the funds to do so, you can fill out a scholarship application.

Hank Why is also involved with the museum’s wooden boat graduate school scholarship program. He puts together the resources and solicits funds to reward a special student each year. “I was looking for an opportunity to give back for what I got from my experience learning at the boat museum,” says Hank. “The scholarship idea came forward as a way to help someone who excels in the boat building program to continue their training.” 

This talented individual is offered a scholarship to the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine. It’s the only school suitable for kids in the northeast, and it offers them a chance to learn a higher skill set than the NH Boat Museum program can offer. The scholarship is good for a two-week summer session at the school. This year marks the school’s 40th anniversary, and they offer a wide variety of courses at their beautiful, 64-acre “saltwater campus.” The community of students, faculty, and staff at the school have all levels of experience in boat-building, woodworking, metalworking, crafting, and boating. “Sending a student to this school helps preserve the wooden boat-building industry,” says Hank.  

The recipient of the scholarship also receives a one-year membership to the New Hampshire Boat Museum, as well as to the two other sponsors: The Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS) and the New England Lyman Group. They are also put in touch with a mentor to guide them through their experience. The ACBS is a membership organization dedicated to connecting people who enjoy classic boats. Since its founding in 1975 on the shores of Lake George, New York, the ACBS has grown into the largest society in the world dedicated to the enjoyment of classic boats. They embrace all styles of classic wood, fiberglass, and metal boats. The New England Lyman Group was founded in 1999 with the mission and purpose of promoting the use of Lyman boats, but also to support activities that promote youth involvement and interest in wooden boat building, repair, and maintenance.

The NH Boat Museum runs other popular events each year. Hank is also involved in the planning of the New England Vintage Boat and Car Auction. Although this year’s event will be held online due to COVID-19, there will be many items up for bid including vintage wooden boats; fiberglass boats; vintage cars and trucks; sailboats; motors and parts; canoes, kayaks, and dories; and artifacts and collectibles. The auction will take place on Saturday, July 18 at 10 am. Previews will be available on July 16 and 17 from noon to 5 pm, and on July 18 from 8 to 10 am. Hank is also involved in the Vintage Race Boat Regatta, held every other year at the Wolfeboro Town Docks in September. (The next race is scheduled for 2021.)

Currently, Hank owns two vintage Chris-Craft boats from 1930 and 1948, respectively. When I spoke with him, he was working on putting notes together for his younger son on how to care for the boats, winterize them, and repair them. After all, it’s all about passing this information on to the next generation and ensuring that the beautiful craftsmanship of wooden boats lives on.

The New Hampshire Boat Museum is located at 399 Center Street in Wolfeboro. Their current plan is to open on July 1 with a modified schedule. For the latest information as well as information on the upcoming auction, visit www.nhbm.org or call 603-569-4554. Boat-building school applications are also available on the website with options to pay online or by mail. Click on the “Learn” tab on the homepage for more information about building a boat this summer. Keep the tradition of wooden boat building alive with this memorable experience!