CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM
P.O. Box 97 - 14200 Solomons Island Road
Solomons, MD 20688
Traci Cimini - 410-326-2042 x62
CMM-PR-16-72
November 16, 2016
For Immediate Release
DEDICATION OF THE CAROL JEANNE
Southern Maryland’s first one-of-a-kind hybrid boat is ready for the water!
On Tuesday, November 8, family and friends gathered at the Calvert Marine Museum for the dedication of the Carol Jeanne, Southern Maryland’s first one-of-a-kind hybrid wooden boat. It began as a winter science project nine months ago for several volunteer members of the Patuxent Small Craft Guild (PSCG), and has ended with the completion of a beautiful 20’ open boat. Proudly owned by Bill Wright, the electric skiff follows the traditional lines of the Smith Island Crab Scrape.
Bill Wright, PSCG member, financed the project and worked in partnership with Annapolis Hybrid Marine. The goal was to construct a lightweight vessel with a plywood hull structure equipped with an electric motor. Wright’s idea was to modify the traditional crab scrape that features a cross planked bottom and plank sided boat. Prior to construction, volunteer Al Suydam created two scale models – a radio controlled version to help determine seakeeping and speed, and a builder’s model to guide in the actual construction. Suydam also served as project manager. Wright’s partners, Ed Bahniuk and Ed Kobrinski were key to the construction process. Annapolis Hybrid Marine owners, Bill DiQuinzio and Sally Reuther, served as technical advisors and assisted with the propulsion. The boat sports a Thoosa 7000-HT motor, along with a 48 Volt DC battery system.
Named after Wright’s wife, the Carole Jeanne will be used for many fishing and crabbing trips with the grandchildren. “It was a pleasure to work with so many talented fellow Guild members who made this project a reality and I look forward to continuing our science project once we launch,” said Bill Wright.
“This project is so exciting. We are very fortunate here at the Calvert Marine Museum to have great volunteers – in addition to all the hours they put in, they bring their creativity, ingenuity, and have so many new ideas. This boat is a perfect example,” says museum director, Sherrod Sturrock.
See the PSCG members hard at work every Tuesday and Saturday in the Patuxent Small Craft Building from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. These volunteers maintain and preserve the museum’s historic water craft collection and teach wooden boat building skills.
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Photo attached: Courtesy of Mel Gallipeau – Members of the Patuxent Small Craft Guild and museum staff gather for the dedication of the Carol Jeanne, the newest electric powered wooden boat
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors, military with valid I.D. and AAA members, and $4.00 for children ages 5 - 12; children under 5 and museum members are always admitted free. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.