Traditional craft practices such as wooden boat-building have declined among younger generations. My project aims to uncover why traditional boat-building crafts are declining among younger people, and what factors influence participation in these crafts today.

To investigate, I will conduct semi-structured interviews with craftspeople involved in traditional boat-building and youth woodworking, perhaps including individuals affiliated with organizations such as the Village Community Boathouse and Brooklyn Boatworks. Interview questions will focus on pathways into the craft, barriers that discourage younger participation, and the role of community organizations in preserving these skills. The interview responses will be analyzed to identify common themes about the challenges of sustaining traditional craftsmanship today.

Alongside this research, I will build a functioning 16-foot lapstrake wooden skiff powered by a 20-horsepower outboard motor. Constructing the boat will serve as a practical case study, allowing me to directly engage with traditional materials, techniques, and the time commitment required for this type of craftsmanship. This hands-on process will hopefully help illustrate the challenges discussed in the interviews and provide insight into how traditional craft practices are maintained today.