Who We Are
“The Community Boat Project isn’t just a program, it’s more like a movement”- M.B. Armstrong
Core Values:
Community Resource
We provide space and host projects that benefit the community, offering a facility that fosters community activity and engagement.
Intergenerational
Serving the whole community, youth- focused, and inclusive, accommodating individuals of all ages
Accessible and Dynamic
Inviting individuals to come as they are,
focus project priorities
on what is most
valued and appropriate for the moment
Where people work, learn, and grow
History
In 1993, Marci Van Cleve, a teacher at Chimacum School, envisioned an Outward Bound-style, on-the-water program in Jefferson County. The Wooden Boat Foundation had just commissioned a replica of George Vancouver’s longboat, built locally at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Captains Wayne Chimenti and Al Nejmah joined Marci to launch the program, and Puget Sound Explorers was born, enabling local teens to earn credits while sailing.
Fourteen years later, during a challenging journey, Captain MB Armstrong, Wayne, and Marci huddled around a campfire and said, “We need better boats. We need something that sails better, rows better, is lighter, and beachable.” Marci added, “And we should build them with students! You come up with a design and I’ll set up the class.” This conversation took place in May 2007.
Their search for a design led them to local boat maven Kit Africa, who mentioned, “You know Jim Franken and I designed a big Oceanic Dory for Mick Bird to row solo around the world. That would be all the things you want and easy to build.” By mid-August, they had the design but needed a builder and funds.
“We had no money, no boatbuilder, no shop, and one month until school started. What could go wrong?” Wayne recalls the critical moment when they presented the idea to the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding’s Board. “As soon as I finished telling them our idea, Jeff Hammond, the lead instructor, jumped up and said, ‘Heck, I’ll loft that boat for you!’ Then Bill Mahler, the Executive Director, said, ‘I can’t see why anyone, given the chance to do this, would say no.’ And the board chimed in, ‘If Jeff and Bill are in, we’re in!’ At that moment, I knew a dream was launched.”
With the community's support, local businesses and individuals donated wood, sailcloth, glues, screws, and cash to keep the project moving. A small grant from the Satterberg Foundation clinched the deal. This led to the formation of the Puget Sound Voyaging Society and the move from Port Townsend to Lower Hadlock. The boatbuilding shop was set up at the NW School of Wooden Boatbuilding Campus, and “Voyaging” began from the Hadlock Marina.
Meet the team
Brent Bellamy, Director
Gillian Kenady, Shop Manager
Nahja Chimenti, Voyaging Captain
Brent has spent many years in experiential education and the nonprofit sector. His maritime experience, developed over 10 seasons of commercial fishing, adds a unique dimension to his skill set. Most recently, Brent has focused on the trades as a small business owner and as a construction superintendent. This blend of maritime, administrative, construction, and educational expertise makes his role as Executive Director a great fit, allowing him to integrate his diverse passions into a single impactful position.
Gillian graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies, focusing on sustainability and forestry. She has volunteered extensively, managed a community garden, and taught in children's gardens. Her post-graduation adventures include analyzing forest dynamics, WWOOFing in Central America, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and serving with the Peace Corps in Zambia.
Raised in maritime education, sail training, and environmental programs, Nahja now holds a 100-ton captain's license. Since 2008, she has worked as a captain/educator for PSV, CBP, and the NW Maritime Center. Nahja is also a professional Traditional Sailmaker and Rigger with Force 10 Sailmaking and Rigging.
Wayne Chimenti, Founder
Captain Wayne Chimenti, a Master Mariner, Rigger, Sailmaker, and Educator with 34 years in sail training, has sailed on twenty schooners and square-riggers worldwide. He has rigged six Tall Ships from the deck up. Wayne and his family run Force 10 Sails, creating traditional vessel sails. A passionate storyteller, poet, and shantyman, Wayne believes, “Boats are Magic Carpets for the human imagination and spirit. It is my job to make sure everyone, who has the daring to dream and step aboard, gets a ride.”
Lydia Vadopalas, Shop Educator
Lydia is a local creative and whimsical educator who has explored diverse roles, from agroforestry at Sunfield Farm to pasture ecology at Evergreen. Her journey led to managing pastures in Vermont before returning to operate Ground Control, a local goat grazing business.
Dylan Smith, Voyaging Educator
For the past few years, Dylan has lived aboard his traditional cutter, cruising the Salish Sea and embracing sailing and nature. Drawn to the area to learn sail making, rigging, and navigation, he found the Community Boat Project offered these opportunities and more. "I'm fortunate to do what I love while helping the community."
Board of Directors
Meredith Barrett, President
Meredith, born in Port Townsend, was a student of early Community Boat Project (then Puget Sound Explorers). Inspired, she sailed from Massachusetts to the Caribbean, earned a Masters in Teaching, and now volunteers as board member. Meredith is an advocate for youth and experiential learning. She also enjoys mountains, knitting, and road trips with her dog.
Elizabeth Adams, Treasurer
Beth's journey into maritime education shifted her focus from classroom teaching to volunteering with the Community Boat Project in 2009. Inspired by its supportive community, she pursued a full-time maritime career, now serving as Chief Engineer for Washington State Ferries. With degrees in English and Theater, and licenses as a Chief Engineer and Captain, Beth is passionate about supporting educational opportunities for future sailors and builders.
Marci Van Cleve, Secretary
Marci is a distinguished educator and community leader, recognized with awards like the Wooden Boat Foundation's Lifetime Achievement and the American Red Cross "Hero" Award. Since 1971, she has pioneered alternative education models, founding Quimper Academy and co-founding PI and ICE programs. Her partnerships, like Puget Sound Explorers and the PI String Orchestra, foster educational excellence and youth success.
Kit Evans
In Alaska, Kit founded the first domestic violence shelter in the US, and over time raised over 30 million for shelters, AIDS housing, and urban youth arts programs. Kits' tenure at Hilltop Artists in Tacoma reflected her commitment to inclusive cultural learning, emphasizing the arts' role in creating opportunities for student success and building community connection and well-being.
Ernie Baird
Ernie is not only a shipwright but also a dedicated educator, deeply ingrained in Port Townsend's distinctive wooden boat shipwright industry for over five decades. His expertise and passion have shaped generations of craftsmen, contributing significantly to the community's maritime heritage and knowledge.
Daniel Evans
Daniel, an Alaskan native and licensed captain, began in commercial construction before moving into education with Outward Bound and high school teaching. After three decades in maritime trades, he co-founded the Race to Alaska. In 2022, he transitioned to teaching construction trades at Chimacum School District. Passionate about the outdoors and community, Daniel believes the Olympic Peninsula’s culture and history make it the best place on earth.
