School Tours

School Tours of the museum, boat shop and the Village of Cortez are available by appointment. For information, call the museum at (941) 708-6120.

Boatbuilding and Restoration

The Florida Maritime Museum has several interesting programs that you may want to become involved in. At the Museum’s temporary headquarters in the Cortez Community Center at 4523 123rd St. Court. W. Volunteers work to preserve traditional boatbuilding skills. Working Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9:00 to 3:30 the crew is currently restoring a lovely Bahamas Sloop as well as building a new 12' Coquina Skiff. Volunteers work with Master Boat builder Bob Pitt and prior woodworking experience isn't necessary.

Traditional Small Craft Association (T.S.C.A.)

A second program is the Traditional Small Craft Association (T.S.C.A.) which is a group that gets together to use their boats at events called "messabouts." A messabout is a disorganized gathering where the primary activities include rowing, sailing or paddling boats that are of traditional design or construction. Canoes, kayaks, and small sailboats, preferably built by the owners in wood (but not necessarily so) get together to explore, picnic, and "talk boat" in some of the most beautiful places on the water in Florida. You don't have to have a boat to be a member because there's always space in somebody's boat and the group is all about learning from each other.

Tampa Bay Ship Model Society

A newly affiliated program is the Tampa Bay Ship Model Society. With a primary focus on ship models the group expects to meet on a regular basis to share model making methods, techniques and projects underway. Models built for the new Museum's collection and exhibitions are hoped for as part of the group's regular work, and much more.

Coming Soon....Weekend Classes

In the near future, the Museum will be offering classes in traditional boatbuilding and related skills. Most of the classes will be scheduled for weekends, though some will be at other times of the week as well. Wooden boatbuilding, model making, oar making, lofting, tool making, plane making, woodcarving, net making, sail making and other classes are in the works. All classes are designed for the skilled woodworker and the complete novice as well. Classes will be listed on the website as soon as dates have been selected.