Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival
September 11-13, 2026
The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is an annual event that brings together boat enthusiasts, craftsmen, and maritime history aficionados. It typically features a range of activities such as boat tours, workshops, speakers, and maritime demonstrations.
Whether you're a lifelong sailor or stepping aboard for the first time, Adventuress offers a hands-on, family-friendly sail with breathtaking views, sea stories, and the chance to help raise the sails or simply relax on deck. You'll be sailing with a purpose—supporting Sound Experience’s environmental and youth education programs that connect young people with the Salish Sea and teach them the value of stewardship, teamwork, and maritime heritage.
What makes this sail special?
Note: Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Wear comfortable layers and closed-toe shoes. Rain or shine—we sail!
Whether you're a lifelong sailor or stepping aboard for the first time, Adventuress offers a hands-on, family-friendly sail with breathtaking views, sea stories, and the chance to help raise the sails or simply relax on deck. You'll be sailing with a purpose—supporting Sound Experience’s environmental and youth education programs that connect young people with the Salish Sea and teach them the value of stewardship, teamwork, and maritime heritage.
What makes this sail special?
- Rare chance to sail on a 113-year-old tall ship during the Wooden Boat Festival
- Friendly, professional crew ready to share the ship’s fascinating history and mission
- Help raise the sails or sit back and enjoy the sea breeze
- Proceeds benefit youth education and access programs aboard Adventuress
Note: Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Wear comfortable layers and closed-toe shoes. Rain or shine—we sail!
Festival Sails
Friday, Sept. 11, 9:30am-12:30pm AND 2pm-5pm
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9:30am-12:30pm
Sunday, Sept. 13, 9:30am-12:30pm
Our Festival Sails are 3-hour on-the-water programs designed to get everybody involved, and no sailing experience is required. From the moment we get under way you'll be invited to help raise the sails or take a turn at the wheel. As we explore Port Townsend Bay the crew will explain it's unique marine environment and share the history of Adventuress. Then listen to or sing a sea chantey, a talk from an on-board guest -- or just sit back and take in the whole experience.Tickets: $79 Adults, $39 Youth
Schooner Race
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2-5pm
The Schooner Race at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is a thrilling event where a variety of classic schooners compete in a race on the waters of Port Townsend Bay. This race is a highlight of the festival, showcasing the skill of the sailors and the performance of these beautiful traditional sailing vessels.
Schooners, characterized by their distinctive rigging with two or more masts, are well-suited for racing and demonstrate impressive speed and maneuverability. The race typically features a diverse fleet of schooners, from smaller, nimble boats to larger, more majestic vessels.Participants in the Schooner Race navigate a set course, which can vary in length and complexity, depending on the weather conditions and the number of entries. The race provides an exciting spectacle for festival-goers, offering a dynamic view of the schooners under full sail as they jockey for position and strive for the finish line.
Tickets: $115 Adults, $58 Youth
Sail By
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2pm-5pm
The Sail By at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is a traditional event where a fleet of classic wooden boats, including both sail and motor vessels, parade through the waters of Port Townsend Bay. This event is a highlight of the festival, showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of the wooden boats, and it provides an opportunity for attendees to see these vessels in action on the water. Participants in the Sail By usually include a variety of boat types, from small dinghies to large schooners, each demonstrating their unique characteristics and sailing capabilities. The spectacle is not only a visual delight but also a celebration of maritime heritage and community spirit.
Tickets: $89 Adults, $45 Youth
