CLASSIC BOAT MUSEUM
Introduction
The Classic Boat Museum’s goal is to develop a growing and active museum in the community focused on championing the outstanding marine heritage that created hundreds of years of prosperity for Cowes and the Isle of Wight
The Museum is focused on developing its range of historical yachts covering sailing, motor, commercial and lifeboats all on display and accessible to the public.
The Museum also has a wider focus which enables ongoing sustainability and relevance by developing new projects.
Cowes and the Isle of Wight has for centuries been an active working town engaged in the design, building and maintenance of some of the most innovative new technology of its time, be it sail, steam, diesel or gas turbine. The Isle of Wight continues to be a centre of excellence for the development of materials technology for the marine, automotive, aerospace and general construction industry with a focus on new technologies such as carbon composites. It is for this reason that the Classic Boat Museum goal is to continues to restore and build yachts using local craftsmen. The skills of the past are fundamental to many of the skills used today in high technology manufacturing so there is a role for the Museum to develop apprenticeship programmes for a new generation of craftsmen who will gain transferable skills to develop their careers. The new boatyard in West Cowes is ideal for the development of a restoration and boat building team with a focus on preserving and development boat building skills.
To this end the Museum is interested in discussing and developing projects in the following areas:
Historical research and new exhibition creation
Restoring yachts and boats of all ages
Creating a centre of excellence for marine crafts and associated skills
Creating lecture and training programs
Educational partnerships with schools and colleges
Partnerships with other symbiotic organisations across the UK and Worldwide
For more information please contact our team
Current projects needing help and assistance include: