Boatworks
About Boatworks
The FISH Boatworks offers boatbuilding, restoration, and repair services. Volunteers whose skill levels run from professionals to enthusiastic amateurs get to work together to restore and repair boats. Boatworks is dedicated to celebrating local Florida Maritime culture and focuses on wooden fishing boats, with special emphasis on fishing vessels and local heritage.
Join Us
If you are interested in volunteering with Boatworks and have skills or want to learn skills in boat building, restoring, or repairing wooden or fiberglass boats, then please contact us here.
Donate
As a non-profit organization the FISH Boatworks accepts working, abandoned, or restorable boats as part of our new Boat Rescue program. We can give the donor a receipt for tax purposes.
Reserve Workspace
Need a space to work on your own boat? For a small fee, you can reserve a spot to work alongside of us and get advice and help if needed. Contact us here.
Past Projects
21’ Spritsail
The Spritsail skiff, also known as the “Sallie Adams” can float in just inches of water. This was the kind of working fishing boat early Cortez settlers needed to catch mullet and survive in their new location. These boats were named after one of the first settlers in Cortez, Sallie Adams, and was modeled after fishing boats from North Carolina where they previously lived.
25’ Spanish Long Boat
A boat similar to what the Spanish would have used when they first arrived. This boat was built for the Desoto National Park.
Esperanza
A restored derelict Cuban boat that refugees had once used to sail from Cuba to the Florida Keys. The Esperanza (EspSM1) was taken to the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival at St Michaels, MD where she won the People’s Choice Award, “Best in Show.”