Paid programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

Registration and Refund Policy:

Registration costs, less a 10% fee, are refunded when the museum receives cancellation notice at least 48 hours before the start of a program. There is no refund within 48 hours of the start of a program, and tickets cannot be transferred to a later program date within that 48 hour timeframe. Due to material costs and supply, Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center Courses require a 2-week notification for cancellations; only the course fee is refunded if cancellation occurs prior to 2 weeks. The Museum reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet the minimum participant requirement up to one week before the program is scheduled. In the event of cancellation due to low enrollment, participants who have submitted a fee will receive a full refund. If a program is canceled due to inclement weather and unable to be rescheduled for another date, the participants will receive a full refund.

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50th Annual Wooden Boat Show

May 2 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Free

Join us for the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show, the longest running boat show in the southeast! Whether you’re a boating enthusiast or prefer to keep your feet on dry land, the Annual Wooden Boat Show has activities for all ages.

This free event, held each year on the first Saturday in May, celebrates the art of North Carolina’s traditional wooden boatbuilding and the sport of sailboat racing.

Dozens of handcrafted wooden boats will be on display, along with nautical demonstrations and activities for children. Interested in registering a boat for display? Registration opens here on April 1 at 8 a.m. For more information, call 252-504-7758.

2026 BOAT SHOW SCHEDULE 
 
Friday, May 1, 2026
5 – 7 p.m.
OPENING RECEPTION
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
Saturday, May 2, 2026
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
BOAT CHECK-IN and SETUP
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
EXHIBIT OF WOODEN BOATS Be sure to vote for your favorite boat
Front Street
WOODEN BOAT KIDS
Museum Front Patio
KNOT TYING BY DON VAN HOY
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
IN-WATER BOAT SHOW
Beaufort Waterfront Docks
NAUTICAL BOOK SALE
N.C. Maritime Museum front patio
VINTAGE TOY OUTBOARD MOTORS
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
BOB ZENTZ
Sea shanties and maritime-themed music
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
4 p.m.
WOODEN BOAT SHOW AWARDS RECEPTION
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

Organizer

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort
Phone
252-504-7740
Email
cyndi.brown@dncr.nc.gov
View Organizer Website

Venue

Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
322 Front Street
Beaufort, NC 28516 United States
+ Google Map
Phone
2525047758
View Venue Website

Tickets

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Tickets will be available on April 1, 2026

Registration and Refund Policy:

Registration costs, less a 10% fee, are refunded when the museum receives cancellation notice at least 48 hours before the start of a program. There is no refund within 48 hours of the start of a program, and tickets cannot be transferred to a later program date within that 48 hour timeframe. Due to material costs and supply, Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center Courses require a 2-week notification for cancellations; only the course fee is refunded if cancellation occurs prior to 2 weeks. The Museum reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet the minimum participant requirement up to one week before the program is scheduled. In the event of cancellation due to low enrollment, participants who have submitted a fee will receive a full refund. If a program is canceled due to inclement weather and unable to be rescheduled for another date, the participants will receive a full refund.