Adventures of Our Captains

For Immediate Release – January 9, 2025
Attn: Finger Lakes Area Media Outlets

Contact: Kara Calder, executivedirector@FLBM.org, 607-569-2222
Hammondsport, NY – Finger Lakes Boating Museum invites the public for an off-season peek into the adventures of our captains. Three dedicated Museum volunteers will help kick off the Museum’s new series this month.
Captain Dave Rockwell launches Coffee Chats on February 16 at 10:30 a.m. In addition to being an accomplished Pat II captain, Dave is the skipper of The William Scandling, the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Seneca Lake research vessel. Dave will talk about research methods aboard the boat and the crew’s fascinating findings including mapping the lake bottom and discovery of steamboat and canal era sunken wreckage.
In March, join Captain Rob Whitcomb for a conversation about the loving, painstaking – and sometimes frustrating – renovation of The Pat II, the Museum’s 100-year-old Keuka Lake tour boat. The Pat II is one-of-a-kind, and Rob knows firsthand the art and science that went into its restoration and what it takes to keep it afloat. Rob’s chat will be on March 13 at 10:30 a.m.
In April, one of our most popular Pat II guides, Captain Doug Vittum, will treat guests to a conversation about the Taylor Wine Company and the heyday of grape transport and champagne method sparkling wine on and around Keuka Lake.
All coffee chat programs are included with Museum admission, which is always free for Museum members. Registration is welcome but not required by calling 607-569-2222.
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The Finger Lakes Boating Museum was founded in 1997 to preserve, promote, and celebrate Finger Lakes boating heritage. Since 2014, the Museum has been located on Pleasant Valley Road in Hammondsport, NY, on the former Taylor Wine Company campus and has the largest collection of Finger Lakes area produced boats on display in the world and one of the largest off-water, year-round exhibitions of historical boats in the country.



What:   Coffee Chat series kicks off with FLBM Captains. Finger Lakes Boating Museum captains love to share their stories and expertise - on and off the water. Come join them for a cup and a chat! Included with Museum admission, always free for Museum members.
Where: Finger Lakes Boating Museum, 8231 Pleasant Valley Road, Hammondsport, NY 14840. Visit, www.flbm.org or call 607-569-2222
When:  All Coffee Chats start at 10:30 on the following dates:
January 16 - Dave Rockwell, Captain of The William Scandling & The Pat II, will chat about the Hobart & William Smith Seneca Lake research vessel The Scandling.
February 13 - Rob Whitcomb, Captain of The Pat II, will chat about the restoration of this 100-year-old vessel and its triumphant return to hosting passengers on Keuka Lake.
March 13 - Doug Vittum, Captain of The Pat II, will chat about the history of Taylor Wine Company, sharing some of the great information and insights he provides on his sought-after Pat II tours.
Who:    Open to the public, preregistration welcome but not required - call 607-569-2222
 
Image #1 – The William Scandling, credit: Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Image #2 – Rob Whitcomb at the helm of The Pat II, credit: Finger Lakes Boating Museum
Kara Calder
Executive Director
Finger Lakes Boating Museum
PO Box 575, 8231 Pleasant Valley Road
Hammondsport, NY 14840
(607) 569-2222