Getting VIRGINIA V out of the water and into dry dock is a big job — and a big expense! Hauling out a historic ship, supporting her safely, and keeping her accessible for repairs all come with a hefty price tag. Before we can even start fixing her up, we need to pay to get her on the hard!

VIRGINIA V is a historic wooden steamboat, and wood doesn't last forever. Replacing worn and damaged planks takes quality materials, the right supplies, and plenty of planning. This includes the planks throughout the ship, replacing the port-side aft guard, and repairing some rot in the wheelhouse.

We LOVE our volunteers, and VIRGINIA V wouldn't be here without them! But some jobs require specialized skills, professional equipment, certified expertise, and experienced shipwrights. Bringing in the professionals to tackle the big repairs is essential to keeping VIRGINIA V shipshape and sailing!