The Maritime Preservation Trust opened its new Stockton workshop to the public Saturday, inviting visitors inside a historic boatyard to showcase its restoration work and long-term mission.
The open house marked the nonprofit’s first major public event since relocating from Southern California. It also introduced the trust’s vision of reviving traditional boatbuilding while training a new generation of craftsmen.
Founder Roland Wayne Elletel said the project grew out of necessity.
“I needed the help,” Elletel said. “And somebody has to train those people.”
A hands-on answer to a growing problem
Elletel started the Maritime Preservation Trust nearly 20 years ago after decades spent restoring classic sailboats and powerboats. Over time, demand for his work outpaced his capacity.
As a result, he built a two-year backlog and often turned customers away. When clients asked for referrals, he struggled to find skilled craftspeople who could meet expectations.
Because of that, Elletel created a nonprofit instead of a traditional school. In the boat repair world, he said, credentials matter less than craftsmanship.
“You’re an artist,” he said. “Your work is your resume.”
Why Stockton made sense
After 35 years working at the Port of Los Angeles, Elletel had to leave when the port eliminated most boat repair operations. Once home to 14 ship and boatyards, the port now has only two.
Meanwhile, waterfront costs continued to rise.
Stockton offered something different. The city still had an intact industrial boatyard, lower rents and a workforce familiar with hands-on trades.
“It’s much easier to restore a boatbuilding center here than anywhere else,” Elletel said.
Bringing life back to a historic yard
The trust moved into a former Stevens Brothers Boat Building Company facility, a site once known for producing some of the finest boats in the country during the 1920s and 1930s.
During the open house, visitors toured the newly built workshop and learned about the restoration of the yard itself.
A wide view of the Maritime Preservation Trust’s new workshop shows restored lighting, heavy equipment and open floor space designed for hands-on boat restoration and training in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
The Maritime Preservation Trust workshop features original beams and newly built workspaces used to restore historic boats. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia)
That includes a marine railway built in 1944 by the Army Corps of Engineers. The system uses adjustable cradles and a winch to pull boats out of the water for maintenance.
A railway like this can haul vessels up to 100 feet long and weighing as much as 150 tons.
“To teach people how to restore boats,” Elletel said, “we had to restore a boatyard first.”
A flagship with deep local roots
The trust’s flagship vessel, Athena, also carries a strong Stockton connection. Stevens Brothers built the yacht at the same yard in 1929.
After restoring the vessel over 12 years, Elletel worked with owner Dan Carter to place the boat into the nonprofit. Carter did not want it sold to someone without the skills to care for it.
The historic wooden yacht Athena is docked at the Maritime Preservation Trust facility along the Stockton waterfront. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
The wheelhouse of Athena features restored wood paneling and original navigation details during an open house at Maritime Preservation Trust. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Inside the cabin of Athena, restored seating and woodwork reflect the yacht’s original 1929 design. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
A view from the aft deck looks into Athena’s cabin during the Maritime Preservation Trust open house in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
The stern of Athena sits along the dock, displaying its name and American flag at the Maritime Preservation Trust facility. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia)
“He’s the reason we started the trust,” Elletel said.
Now, Athena has returned to Stockton, where the trust will maintain it while using it as a teaching tool.
Learning by doing
Unlike formal trade schools, the trust focuses on hands-on experience. Elletel gives apprentices real tasks and lets them solve problems before stepping in to guide them.
“You can’t really learn this in a classroom,” he said.
He believes historic wooden boats also offer lessons for the future. Early designs used narrow hulls that moved efficiently through the water, a concept now returning as electric motors gain popularity.
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” Elletel said. “We need to learn from what already worked.”
Opening the doors to the community
Although new to Stockton, Elletel hopes the Maritime Preservation Trust becomes a community-driven effort. Local business leaders have already invested, and Saturday’s open house aimed to build broader support.
“This can be Stockton’s effort,” he said. “To restore our connection to the water.”
With its new workshop now open, the trust plans to continue restoring boats, rebuilding infrastructure and training skilled craftsmen — all from a historic waterfront site that once defined Stockton’s boatbuilding legacy.
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