Supertankers are impressive; container ships are practical; power boats are fun. But for nautical romance, nothing compares to a traditional wooden boat. The sturdy work boats of the Bay -- the bugeyes, buy boats, and skipjacks -- are somehow more elegant for being crafted by the skilled hand and eye of a master boat builder.

The Richardson Maritime Museum in Cambridge is a tribute to the tradition and history of wooden vessels. Dozens of scale models of crabbing skiffs, schooners, work boats, buy boats, skipjacks, bugeyes, pungys, and lightships compete for attention. Standing in the middle of them all, you can imagine what it was like to stand on a dock surrounded by all of these vessels half a century ago. Many of the models were crafted by their boat builder, others by passionate modelers.

A special exhibit of boatbuilding tools adds depth to the displays. We're used to walking into Home Depot for the latest easy-to-use power tool. Looking at the simple augers, cross-cut and rip saws, mallets, and hand planes -- with nary a power cord to be seen --makes the precision and quality of the boats even more impressive. Another room houses the tools of the Watermen. Unlike the boat building equipment, these have hardly changed over time. The antique dredges, tongs, crab pots, and floats on display would be picked up and used by watermen today.

To keep the traditions of wooden boat building alive, the museum maintains the Ruark Boatworks on Cambridge Creek. Six traditional boats are in various stages of restoration. The work is being done by master boat builders who are working with apprentices and volunteers to pass along their knowledge.

The Richardson Maritime Museum is at the corner of High & Locust Streets in Cambridge. Don't expect a 'museum-like' structure. If you think the imposing brick Victorian-era building looks like a bank, that's because in its past life, it was. It's open Wednesdays & Sundays from 1-4,and Saturdays from 10-4. A donation of $3 is suggested. 410-221-1871. The Boatworks is open Mon/Wed/Fri 9-2. On Saturdays a docent is on hand in the modeler's shop. 410-221-8844. During the winter, you should call ahead to make sure they are open and working.

http://www.richardsonmuseum.org/