Thousands Flock to Georgetown for 36th Annual Wooden Boat Show

The South Carolina Maritime Museum‘s 36th annual Wooden Boat Show weekend wrapped up after an unforgettable event that drew thousands to Georgetown’s historic downtown district. Despite weather challenges the prior week, beautiful conditions this year saw massive crowds turn out to celebrate maritime craftsmanship, competitions, and community spirit.

The festival, which spans several days and culminates in the main show, serves as a significant boon to area businesses, with attendees flocking to local restaurants and shops, many of which offered special deals for festival-goers. Proceeds from the weekend directly support the ongoing work of the Maritime Museum in preserving local history.

A Fleet of Exhibits and Competitions

The centerpiece of the celebration, the Wooden Boat Exhibit, featured over 100 classic wooden boats, displayed both in the water along the Sampit River and on Front Street. Visitors had the unique opportunity to meet and converse with the wooden boat craftsmen, manufacturers, and owners responsible for maintaining these floating works of art, which ranged in size from small kayaks to large yachts. The exhibit also housed displays of maritime art, models, and educational materials.

Saturday’s schedule was packed with action, highlighted by the intense Wooden Boat Challenge. Teams of two raced against the clock, competing to build a functional rowing skiff in just a four-hour time limit. The challenge concluded with a test of seaworthiness—a rowing relay on the Sampit River. Judging criteria included construction speed, quality of work, and rowing pace, with cash prizes awarded to the top three finishers.

For those who preferred hands-on learning, Dan “the Knot Man” and the Spirit Knot Tyers provided engaging demonstrations for all ages. Attendees could test their newfound skills in the “Six Knot Challenge.” Meanwhile, younger visitors were kept busy with Kid’s Model Boatbuilding, where they constructed and test-sailed their own miniature vessels in a pond set up on Front Street. The featured artist of the show Jeanne O’Neal was also present at The Ship’s Store for poster signings and sales of event-branded merchandise.

Click on the images below to get a better look:

Engaging Entertainment and Unique Regattas

Live entertainment kept spirits high throughout the weekend. On Saturday, The Blue Plantation Band, an acoustic string group known for blending Bluegrass, Country, Folk, and Rock, performed for the crowds. Sunday featured music from Roger Bellow and the Drifting Troubadours, offering a set list focused on Country, Swing, and Bluegrass.

The competition wasn’t limited to boat building. Sunday hosted two popular and creative regattas. The Opti Pram Regatta showcased the skills of young sailors, ages 8-12, who have participated in the SC Maritime Museum’s Youth Sailing Program. Races launched from the docks at Francis Marion Park.

The 9th Annual Corrugated Boat Regatta once again proved a crowd favorite, testing the limits of ingenuity. Participants designed and constructed boats using only corrugated cardboard, tape, and waterproofing—no wood, metal, or motors allowed. Spectators cheered as the cardboard creations were launched onto the Sampit River, with equal excitement reserved for those that stayed afloat and those that dramatically sank.

Another lighthearted, yet popular, event was the Nauti Dog Parade on Sunday, which saw dogs decked out in their best nautical garb parading down Front Street to the main stage.

Focus on Education and Conservation

Beyond the boats and entertainment, the show offered robust Educational Exhibits dedicated to maritime culture and environmental stewardship. Displays covered a wide range of topics:

• The SC Youth Sailing Program booth provided information on their youth sailing camps.
• The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – Flotilla 12-10 shared public boating safety tips, introducing children to “Coastie the Safety Boat,” an interactive teaching tool.
• The Nature Conservancy presented on the future Boyd Living Shoreline project, detailing natural methods to reduce shoreline erosion and create habitat.
• The Winyah Rivers Alliance educated attendees on river protection efforts across the seven rivers feeding Winyah Bay.
• The Pee Dee Land Trust highlighted their work protecting nearly 28,000 acres across nine counties.
• The Lowcountry Maritime School displayed student-built boats and a restored wooden rowboat, emphasizing their mission to inspire youth through boatbuilding.
• The Horry County Museum exhibit detailed the historical economic importance of naval stores and natural resources from the Pee Dee region for early American shipbuilding.
• The Maritime Association of South Carolina explained its role as a trade association connecting the maritime industry and advocating for its interests.
• Charleston Community Sailing promoted their long-standing mission to provide waterfront access and instruction to all regardless of background or ability.

The success of the 36th Annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show underscores the community’s dedication to preserving maritime heritage and enjoying fellowship along the Georgetown waterfront.