Annual Wooden Boat Show
Each summer, the Master Mariners Benevolent Association hosts its Annual Wooden Boat Show — a celebration of classic and traditional sailing craft that gives the public a rare close look at some of San Francisco Bay's most beautiful and historic vessels.
The show has historically been held at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, typically on a Sunday in late June or early July, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
What to Expect
- Dozens of classic wooden sailboats on display — owners share their vessels' stories and histories
- Traditional boat-building demonstrations
- Model boat building activities for children
- Detailed program listing each attending vessel
- Gate fee supports the MMBA Benevolent Fund (free for MMBA members with boats in the show and regatta sponsors)
The Benevolent Fund
Proceeds from the Wooden Boat Show go toward the MMBA Benevolent Fund, which provides funding for sail training scholarships and skills associated with restoring traditional sailing craft — keeping the knowledge of wooden boat building and seamanship alive for the next generation.
Press and Coverage
The MMBA Wooden Boat Show has been covered by the San Francisco Chronicle, Sailing Magazine (Oct. 2001, by Erik Simonson), and Good Old Boat Magazine (Nov/Dec 2001, by Michael Beattie). The show attracts traditional boat enthusiasts from throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
Traditional Boatbuilding Schools
The MMBA has long supported the region's traditional boatbuilding community. Institutions connected to the show's heritage include:
- Spaulding Wooden Boat Center — Sausalito, CA
- Arques School of Traditional Boatbuilding — Sausalito, CA
- Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building — Port Hadlock, WA
- Center for Wooden Boats — Seattle, WA
- Wooden Boat Foundation — Port Townsend, WA