Bayles Boat Shop

05/09/2026

2026 Raffle Boat Tickets will be available on Sunday’s at the Farmers Market, PJV Harborfront Park. This 10’ - 6” Double Paddle Fiddlehead canoe was designed by Harry Brian as a modified version of the Henry Rushton Wee Lassie canoe that were built in upstate NY in the late 1800’s. It was built by Boat Shop Volunteers, and most of the wood used was from cutoffs from our armed 1776 Whaleboat Project.

05/02/2026

Thank you for being part of today’s Caleb Brewster landing ceremonies held at PJV Harborfront Park. It takes a Village, and we have a good one!!

05/01/2026

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/video/tri-state-250-celebration-for-hand-built-revolutionary-war-era-boat/

The replica of the 1776 whale boat is three-plus years in the making. CBS News New York's Carolyn Gusoff has the story from Port Jefferson.

04/24/2026

Sea Trials, Day 3 @ PJ Harbor

04/22/2026

And it floats!!!

After three and a half years of sweat, sawdust and countless volunteer hours, the “Caleb Brewster," a reproduction Revolutionary War–era armed whaleboat, touched the water for the very first time on Tuesday in Port Jefferson Harbor.

04/18/2026

The armed whaleboat is on the trailer!! We are currently installing the rub rails. They were made from locally sourced white oak and steam bent to shape. We are using #8 x 1 1/2” silicon bronze slotted screws to fasten the rub rail to the bottom half of the sheer plank. It really accentuates the shape of the hull.

The swivel cannon post is also being prepared to receive a flanged socket.

Up next will be its maiden launch with sea trials.

04/11/2026

The sheer plank was painted black, next up is setting the white oak rub rail, it will have a half round profile similar to the rail cap, and finished with Kirby’s soup (linseed oil/turpintine/pine tar). This same traditional finish was applied to the eastern white cedar planking. The Caleb Brewster is almost ready to be moved out of the Boat Shop!

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

Almost ready for the May 2nd Launch!

03/30/2026

We are almost finished with this historical project. If you have not stopped by the boat shop time is running out!!