Society to display handcrafted boats in Amagansett

For more than a decade, members of the East End Classic Boat Society have gathered twice a week at their boathouse in Amagansett and slowly, lovingly constructed small wooden boats by hand, an effort to keep the tradition and skills of small-boat construction alive.

From Friday to Sunday, every boat they have built over the years will be on display at their Community Boat Shop at 301 Bluff Rd., as well as other wooden boats built before the society was officially formed in 1998.

The event is free, and there will also be paintings and photographs from 60 East End artists on display. The town Marine Museum next door will be open free on Saturday and Sunday as part of the event.

The hours are Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Ray Hartjen , president of the society, said his group has about 180 members, and a dozen or so come out on Wednesdays and Sundays to work on the small boats. Currently, they are finishing a Swampscott Dory, a Maine Coast boat, which is more than 12 feet long.