Wooden boats are part of the heritage of the Southport Community. They caught the pogies that gave rise to the fish factories and processing facilities whose foundations still support the businesses of the Yacht Basin today, Wooden boats made the name Fish Factory Road possible by supporting the culture, traditions, and livelihoods of generations of seafarers.. Wooden boats served as rescue boats and transports that made Bald Head Island and the Cape Fear Rescue station vital parts of the seafaring community that we know today.

The 15th Annual Southport Wooden Boat Show was a success with great vendors, unbelievable weather, and a terrific turnout of wooden boats and visitors alike. But, we’re planning for an even better show this year with more boats, more nautical/maritime vendors and more people, as we have continued to grow into one of the largest Southport Festivals of the year. Additionally, we plan to continue our tradition of coordinating with The Holly Days Festival and The Jack Helbig Foundation annual boat pull contest.. And, as has become our tradition, we will feature a new collectors’ quality poster designed by a local artist as well as our ever popular, special edition T-shirt. Both will be available at the show from the Ship’s Store tent. As in previous years, we will have live music, many exciting items to be raffled, as well as excellent food provided by award winning Frying Pan Restaurant Chef, Craig Blanks.

Mission Statement

The Southport Wooden Boat Show’s purpose is to promote interest in and disseminate knowledge of the craft and art of wooden boat construction, to support efforts to preserve wooden boat construction and skills and to celebrate the region’s maritime and boatbuilding history. This is accomplished through the SWBS Committee and an exceptional volunteer workforce. The Southport Wooden Boat Show is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

Visitors will once again be able to:

• Meet and talk with wooden boat makers and owners
• Savor excellent food provided by award winning Frying Pan Restaurant Chef Craig Blanks from his food truck
• Observe Cape Fear Community College performing demonstrations of wooden boat construction techniques
• Enjoy live music
• Boat tours of the Old Yacht Basin and surrounding areas
• Children of all ages learn about Southport’s nautical history from the NC Maritime Museum
• Children will build and decorate their own boats, then launch them to test their sea-worthiness
• Rope making and static sailing displays
• Entertaining and informational discussions and exhibits presented by the North Carolina Aquarium and the Ft Fisher Underwater Archeology Branch
• Feature a new collectors’ quality poster designed by a local artist, and showcased on our ever popular, special edition T-shirt. Both available at the Ship’s Store tent