August 19, 2025
By Barb Trailer, Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival Director
Every year, the Wooden Boat Festival brings together an extraordinary community, and every year, I’m reminded of the vital role women play in it. This year is no exception—of our 122 presentations, 41 are led by women. That number isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reflection of their skill, leadership, and the depth of experience they bring to the maritime world.
Women have always been at the heart of maritime culture both ashore and afloat. Their voices carry weight and wisdom, shaped by decades on the water and years in the shop. You’ll see them here as seasoned shipwrights, riggers, sailmakers, and sailors, as well as scientists whose work helps us understand and protect the seas we love. They are storytellers, historians, and adventurers—each bringing a perspective that makes our maritime community richer and more dynamic.
What excites me most is the range of their contributions. Some presentations dive deep into centuries-old techniques, keeping alive traditions passed down through generations. You’ll find talks on invasive species, shellfish restoration, indigenous watercraft traditions, and traditional navigation, blending the practical with the profound.
They challenge old narratives, open new doors, and inspire all of us to imagine what’s next.
Since listing all 41 would take more space than I have here, here are 10 women-led presentations for the 2025 Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival.
- Creating a Floating Stories Lab – Angie Richard shares the journey of hand-building a 41-foot Polynesian-inspired wooden catamaran that serves as both a storytelling platform and a citizen-science vessel.
Friday, 9:30–10:15 AM | Adventure Stage - Bluewater Sail Inventory – Erica Georgaklis explains how to choose the right sails for different cruising conditions and vessel types, drawing on her experience working with sailors across the globe.
Friday, 9:30–10:30 AM | Discovery Stage - Navigating the New Charting Environment – Captain Phyllis Woolwine provides expert guidance on using both electronic and paper charts, offering best practices for safe and accurate navigation today.
Friday, 10:15–11:15 AM | Cruising Stage - Racing Red Tides – Tracie Barry from the Washington State Department of Health discusses monitoring harmful algal blooms, managing shellfish safety, and the challenges of protecting marine resources in a changing climate.
Friday, 11:00–11:45 AM | Marine Science Stage - Coast Salish Canoes and a History of Tribal Journeys – Leslie Lincoln shares archival and contemporary stories of Coast Salish canoes, honoring the vessels, traditions, and journeys that continue to shape Native maritime culture.
Friday, 11:45 AM–12:45 PM | Adventure Stage - Invasive Green Crab: Hands-on Citizen Science – Betsy Carlson leads a participatory workshop on identifying invasive European green crabs, empowering attendees to contribute to Salish Sea conservation efforts.
Friday, 12:00–12:45 PM | Marine Science Stage - Preparing Your Boat for Offshore Sailing – Lisa Vizzini of Port Townsend Rigging offers practical strategies for setting up your boat for open-water passages, from sail inventory and reefing systems to lifelines and rigging adjustments.
Friday, 2:00–3:00 PM | Cruising Stage - Keeping a Craft Afloat – Annie Means takes a global look at boatbuilding, from superyacht factories to jungle workshops, examining why the trade declines in some regions and thrives in others—featuring insights from shipwrights, educators, and maritime leaders.
Saturday, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Technical Stage - Haida Sails Resurgence Project – Jaad Tl’aaw (Paula Varnell) and K’ujuuhl (Evelyn Vanderhoop) with Ḵayd Guudang (Jaalen Edenshaw) and Sk’aadawung (Nora-Jane Edenshaw) share the revival of Haida sail weaving, canoe design, and rigging. They offer updates on their current sail project, connections with Pacific weavers, and preparations for the carving of a second canoe.
Saturday, September 6, 3:00–5:00 PM | Adventure Stage - Keeping the Old Crafts Alive in Norway – Sarah Sjøgren explores how Norway preserves its traditional fleet by keeping historic skills in practice. She shares stories from her own projects, mentoring apprentices, and learning new techniques from seasoned craftspeople.
Sunday, 9:30–10:30 AM | Cruising Stage
