Jeff Reid

Jeff Reid started building his first lapstrake boat more than 25 years ago after completing an apprenticeship in traditional wooden boatbuilding in Sausalito, California. Since then, he’s been honing his craft in various boatyards near and far, including a long stint in Western Australia. There, Jeff worked on a number of construction and restoration projects, from small crafts to replica ships. He’s had an opportunity to use a variety of native and exotic boatbuilding timbers, securing his status as a bona fide wood nerd.

When asked what drew him to the maritime trades, Jeff explains, “The problem-solving skills needed to tackle a wide range of tasks make for a lifetime of creativity and learning.” He holds a degree in wood products engineering and now shares his knowledge and passion for traditional boatbuilding as Shipyard Construction Foreman for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. During his travels, Jeff is known for spending his last dollar to bring home another banjo or other stringed instrument to play.