Restoring the Clearwater: 2026-2027 Transom + Topsides Project

Clearwater will begin its next major restoration project in August 2026, focusing on the transom and topsides – the upper sections of the hull above the waterline and the flat surface at the stern. This 8-month project, running through March 2027, marks the final phase in a 10+ year effort to rebuild the sloop’s hull.

The project will focus on replacing aging planks and frames on the topsides and transom, areas above the waterline. Restoring the hull above the waterline not only protects that section of the sloop, but also the sections below the waterline (restored in 2010 and 2016), as the upper and lower sections of the hull are connected through the frame sections (futtocks) and seams between planks. Each piece of wood will be cut and shaped to match the vessel’s complex curves, a process that demands precision and craftsmanship. This project will rely on traditional wooden boat building techniques such as steam bending, caulking with oakum, and cutting rolling bevels by hand, methods that have been used for centuries to build and maintain vessels like Clearwater. The restoration will ensure Clearwater remains safe, stable, and in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard standards.

As with previous phases, this project will be led by our captains, in collaboration with professional shipwrights who have worked on Clearwater for decades. Restoration crew members and trainees will work alongside our captains and shipwrights, learning through hands-on work.

 To accommodate the work, the 2026 sailing season will be shortened, running from April through mid-July, with an anticipated on-time April start to the 2027 sailing season. Sail tickets for the 2027 season will be available in early spring.

The project will be taking place at our Home Port, at the Hudson River Maritime Museum on the Rondout Creek in Kingston. We will be hosting a variety of community programs for the public to be able to see and learn about the project and sloop firsthand. We are working in close partnership with the Hudson River Maritime Museum on much of our programming during the restoration project. When you visit the sloop, be sure to plan in time to explore the Hudson River Maritime Museum.

To stay up to date on our restoration project, subscribe to our Sloop News digital newsletter.

Like our programs, restoration of the Clearwater is made possible by our generous members and donors. Help keep Clearwater sailing, educating, and advocating for decades to come.

See the Restoration Up Close!

Throughout the project, we will host programs, and our Volunteer Waterfront Docents will be present and available at our Home Port at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, NY.

Upcoming Waterfront Docent Hours for this week:
Dates/Times: Friday, September 11, 10am-1pm, 2-5pm
Where: Grey Barn at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401
Stop by and learn about our topsides and transom restoration project from our Volunteer Waterfront Docents! Docents engage formally and informally with visitors by answering questions, interpreting the history, construction, restoration, and cultural significance of the vessel, as well as traditional shipbuilding and maritime practices.

Open Boats:
Dates: 1-4pm November 14, January 23, February 27 and April 3
Where: Grey Barn at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401

Spend an afternoon in community with live music, kids’ activities, tours of the Clearwater’s transom and topsides restoration project, and bring a dish to pass for the potluck lunch. Please bring your own reusable plate and utensil to minimize waste, and remember to dress warmly as the barn can be chilly during the fall and winter months. Full details are on our Events Calendar.

Supply us with the needed tools for the project

Donate what you already have: new or used, operational tools and supplies

• Sturdy, old-school, vintage steel C clamps
• Job site toolbox
• Power or hand tools (new or gently used)
• Work gloves (cotton or durable leather in good condition)
• Hand, nose, ear, and eye protection (N95 masks, boxes of nitrile gloves and earplugs, noise-cancelling headphones, and goggles/glasses)

Purchase New Items
Send us items directly using our Amazon Wishlist or use the list to purchase items from your preferred online or local hardware/marine supply store and have them shipped to our home port at: Captain Rory Kane, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401.

(Please note the exact name and description of each item to make sure the sloop gets what it needs.)

If you prefer to drop off your donation, please contact Port Captain Catilin Zinsley at portcapt@clearwater.org to arrange it.

Volunteer as a Waterfront Docent
We are seeking enthusiastic Volunteer Waterfront Docents to serve as public-facing ambassadors at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, NY. No prior knowledge of Clearwater‘s history or wooden boat restoration is required; docents will be provided with educational materials and training to support them in their role. Learn more and apply.