We’re Building a Fiberglass Monomoy Whaleboat!

The Sea Scout Ship Nautilus is building a fiberglass monomoy whaleboat to add team rowing to our program.

Sea Scout Ships in the SF Bay Area have been rowing wooden whaleboats for a century. Those wooden whaleboats have provided racing and flotilla drill opportunities since Sea Scout Ships were first formed across California. Today, a new fleet of fiberglass whaleboats will provide continued opportunities for Sea Scouts well into the 22 Century. 

The Sea Scout Ship Nautilus is grateful to those who have helped make building a whaleboat possible. Stay tuned for more when we officially commission our new whaleboat into service on those who have made this possible.

Phase I: Fiberglass Work at Mare Island

The Nautilus Sea Scouts have helped with constructing our new boat. Sea Scouts journeyed to Mare Island to assist with fiberglass work on the boat.

Adding the first layer of fiberglass to the outer hull.

Adding the first layer of fiberglass to the inner hull.

Adding sheets of fiberglass to the inner hull.

Building up layers of fiberglass on the inner hull.

Working on the inner hull.

Adding layers of fiberglass to the outer hull.

Rolling on resin to the inner hull.

Rolling resin over fiberglass on the inner hull.

These activities have included elements from the Sea Scout Manual for Advancement Requirements and Electives.

Phase II: Woodworking 

Our Sea Scouts have continued their boat building activities in Petaluma. Our youth have helped with fiberglass work for getting ready to add decking and gunnels to the hull. 

Sea Scouts is about new adventures and making friends. Our youth have risen to the experience for building a once-in-a-generation project. 

If you have a youth who would like to get involved with boat building and rowing, please visit our How to Join Page for more information.