The Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building features two exhibits: Innovations in Design on the lower level and Outboards! The Motor that Changed Pleasure Boating on the mezzanine level. Boats are occasionally rotated in and out of storage for display as part of Innovations in Design. Innovations opened to the public in 2025. To learn more about each exhibit, read below. For a sneak peek at the Launch Building and the exhibits as they were in 2020, check out The Wooden Boat Experience’s episodes from the Tour of the Galleries Scott Ouderkirk took us on during our virtual opening.
Innovations in Design
The contours, materials, and composition of boats reflect innovative developments in the history of recreational boating. Innovations may have been driven by a desire for better movement through water or more power or a change in aesthetics. The choices made to value certain attributes over others, such as speed over carrying capacity, guide a builder in determining the eventual shape and look of a boat. This exhibit will explore design innovations throughout boating history in four areas: hull design, methods of power, materials used, and style.
Outboards! The Motor that Changed Pleasure Boating
It is hard to pinpoint when exactly the first outboard motor was created. There were various designs for
something resembling it from the early days of motorized pleasure boating. During this period, boats with motors were reserved for the upper classes who could afford the expensive machines. Those with rowboats had to propel themselves manually. The idea of a motor was on the minds of many tinkerers and engineers. The first designs for outboard motors appeared in the 1880s, and it was not long before several industrious people brought designs to the mass market. To say outboard motors changed the face of powerboating is an understatement. From an economical way to get out on the water to the modern V-12 outboards and everything in between, every boater has a cherished connection to an outboard motor. The 2023 refresh features updated graphics and boats and motors that have not been on display previously. The refresh is co-curated by Peter Hunn.
