These SUPs await the next rider on a beautiful day.

Before retiring to Wolfeboro in the 1970s, George Johnson was a talented mechanic who managed the Barnes Municipal Airport in Wakefield, Massachusetts. When he arrived on the shores of Winnipesaukee, he was aghast to see locals discarding the old wooden boats that were once standard on the state’s largest lake in favor of newer, fiberglass models. It bothered the old “tinkerer,” so he began collecting and refurbishing the boats, restoring them to their gleaming original form.

Today, many boaters credit Johnson with initiating the wooden leisure boat revival. “He basically created the whole hobby of saving and restoring wooden boats,” said Lisa Simpson Lutts, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Boat Museum, appropriately located in Wolfeboro.

While Wolfeboro is arguably the epicenter of classic wooden boats in New England, you don’t need to own a vintage Hacker-Craft or Lyman to visit what many consider the best natural freshwater harbor in the region.

Approaching Wolfeboro by boat is a uniquely New England pleasure. On the bay’s eastern shore is the sprawling, green campus of Brewster Academy, a 200-year-old private school. When you look due north, your eye is met by a line of white colonial buildings, everything from mansions to smaller private homes lining Main Street.

The Mount Washington pulls up in Wolfeboro right next to the Dockside.

The bay is wide and deep, so it can accommodate everything from the historic M/S Mount Washington passenger vessel to personal watercraft without losing its intimate charm. There are public docks and a launch ramp at the Dockside facility on Lake Street and in Back Bay, both with free public parking nearby. Tie-up limit is three hours.

If you wish to access the Back Bay docks or launch at the public ramp there, you’ll have to pass below the Main Street bridge (clearance around four feet) to get to and from the lake. Most boats under 19 feet and lacking a T-top or bimini can make the passage. Other public docks and launch facilities managed by the town are located at the Libby Museum in Winter Harbor (north of Wolfeboro Bay) and at Mast Landing on Crescent Lake.

For such a small town, Wolfeboro has an uncommonly large number of restaurants. Garwood’s is popular with boaters because it offers free dockage for patrons, as does the Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar, located on the town dock. The latter is known for its classic diner fare and fried seafood, as well as ice cream and other treats. Another option is El Centenario, which specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine just a short walk from the waterfront.

After a hearty meal, take time to explore the downtown area, which features lots of interesting shops, including Black’s Paper Store, a local institution where you can buy anything from a newspaper to furniture. You’ll likely find a new burgee, or have one made to order, at Flags Over Winnipesaukee, while the Country Bookseller is a marvelously diverse bookstore.

And don’t forget to visit the aforementioned New Hampshire Boat Museum. Its small but fascinating collection includes several classic wooden boats (some restored by George Johnson) and a 1920 stern-steering iceboat, as well as vintage canoes, kayaks, outboard engines, and other boating paraphernalia. If you’re into boats and history, it’s a must-see!