WALTER ANSEL grew up in a boatbuilding and sailing family from Mystic, Connecticut. He has made his livelihood either on or around wooden boats for the last 35 years. Other than a brief stint as a managing instructor at the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, Rhode Island, Walt has worked as a shipwright and project leader at Mystic Seaport for the past 10 years, where he is now Senior Shipwright. Notable projects include the Eastern-rigged dragger ROANN, the sandbagger ANNIE, the steamship SABINO, the schooner AMISTAD, a Beetle whaleboat, and Banks dories. During sailing season, Walt’s patient wife Carol ignores piles of books all over the house and an unattended lawn while he is off on his beloved Billy Atkin cutter WINDROSE. Walt and Carol have two kids in college with artistic leanings, following the family non-profit heritage.