In all my internet browsing on boat building, I came across a boat building organization here in Portland. They host open houses twice a month and so this last weekend I went to see what they're about.
They call themselves the "Rivers West Small Craft Center". They have a work shop nestled amongst a bunch of other non-profits on a 7-acre ex-industrial site down on the river next to a big public boat ramp which is next to the scenic St. Johns Bridge.
A lot of the non-profits on this site are making use of those cargo containers. Rivers West has two containers with a 25x40 ft concrete slab in between them with the whole works covered by a permanent tarp roof.
They do various events throughout the year and rent floor space to anyone wanting to build a boat there. Currently there's a 15 foot sail boat and a 22 foot cabin cruiser under construction along with a couple of small projects.
When I went there were about 15 members and a few open house guests. More than half the members are retired, grey haired, and grey bearded old guys. I had the funniest feeling... like... "I found my people!"
It might be a fun place to hang out in my retirement. I signed up online already ($75/year).
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