On Father’s Day weekend June 17-18, Koehler Kraft Boatyard in Shelter Island will host the annual San Diego Wooden Boat Festival at its historic facility featuring 50-plus classic crafts, local vendors, and kids activities.
Displayed boats at Koehler Kraft Co. at 2302 Shelter Island Drive will range from home-built dinghies to historic thoroughbred racing yachts of a bygone era. Live music starts with a youth all-star jazz group on the boat shop community stage, and local musicians will be highlighted throughout the day.
“The event was started as a memorial to our founder, C.F. Koehler Sr., and as a way to exhibit beautiful classic boats every year,” said Danielle Richards, Koheler Kraft’s director of marketing. She noted six live bands, including two student bands, the First Friday Music Club and Young Lions Jazz Conservatory in Liberty Station, have been lined up to perform at this year’s boat show. “They teach music to kids in local high schools,” added Richards.
Of the wooden boat fest’s significance, Richards said: “It’s an opportunity to show the general public that owning a wooden boat has value. It’s almost a living thing. And they’re not as maintenance-heavy as people seem to think. Once restored, they require the same maintenance as a fiberglass boat.”
Richards said the boat festival will commence with remarks from current chairman/boatyard owner C. F. Koehler Jr. She added proceeds from the weekend event will benefit Sea Scout Ship 1886, whose chartered partner is San Diego Yacht Club.
Sea Scouts is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women ages 14 to 21. For over 100 years, Sea Scouting has promoted better citizenship and improved members’ boating skills through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social, and service experiences, and knowledge of maritime heritage.
The family-friendly event is open to the public. Visitors are invited to board and tour the boats displayed. Featured boats will include a small fleet of elegant yachts that are available for private charter cruising on the bay.
This is a rare opportunity for the public to view these crafts – from small rowing, sailing, and power boats to regal schooners and rugged workboats – up close. Owners will be on hand to give the history of the boats and what it takes to build a small wooden boat.
Local chapters of the Ancient Mariners Sailing Society, Antique and Classic Boat Society, and Classic Yacht Association, will be in attendance.
The popularity of the event has led Koehler Kraft to use the proceeds to benefit local charities, including The Sea Scouts division of the Boy Scouts of America.
KOEHLER KRAFT
A San Diego tradition in boat building and repair since 1938, Koehler Kraft at 2302 Shelter Island Drive is passionate about providing the best service and product to the boating community. What started in 1990 as a tribute to the late Clarence Koehler, Sr., has grown into a Father’s Day tradition with the San Diego Wooden Boat Festival, the premier annual event for Southern California wooden boat enthusiasts. Koehler Sr. founded Koehler Kraft Co. (formerly Mercury Marine) in 1938 as a builder of a popular line of mahogany sport fishing boats and racing runabouts. He moved the operation to its current Shelter Island location in 1952.
Located in the southern corner of America’s Cup Harbor, Koehler Kraft accommodates boats 20 feet long to 80 feet long. Its marina was rebuilt in 2007 with all-new Tropical Hardwood IPE docks and cement pilings. For a complete schedule of events and for more information about the festival, visit sdwoodenboatfestival.com, or call the office at 619-222-9051.
