BUFFALO, N.Y. — The world of boating is exciting, but it can also be expensive, which is why the Buffalo Maritime Center is working to make it accessible to everyone.
“Kids who grow up sailing would know a lot about this," said John Montague, Buffalo Maritime Center Founder. "But a lot of populations in Buffalo never really had the opportunity to kind of get in touch with the water."
When residents and visitors alike come to Buffalo’s Canalside, they can’t help but notice recreation work being done. It is led by Roger Allen, a trained wooden boat builder of almost 40 years, who came to Buffalo from Florida to work on a special project.
In Florida, the weather keeps you warm. In Buffalo, the people keep you warm,” explains Allen.
In 1825, the Seneca Chief, an Erie Canal boat, was built. It carried Governor DeWitt Clinton from Buffalo to New York Harbor in New York City at the opening of the Erie Canal. Now Roger Allen is helping volunteers to create a replica vessel.
Dwight Moldenhauer is one of the volunteers who was trained to work on the replica vessel.
“It’s a really significant project," said Moldenhauer. "The first boat to go down the Erie Canal after the canal was constructed and opened."
This project also teaches about history.
“This is one of the biggest seaports in the history of the United States because it was the seaport that collected all of the goods on the Great Lakes,” Allen said.
When the boat is finished it will be more than 70 feet long.
Anyone interested in seeing the boat being built can head down to Canalside. It’s a project that is hard to miss. Everyone is welcome to watch, ask questions and learn to build.