2021 Teams

Keane & Craig McLaughlin – Charleston, SC
The McLaughlin brothers have competed in the Georgetown Wooden Boat Build Challenge since 2013. They have consistently placed second in all challenges and this will be their 7th event.

When they’re not building boats, working on boats, or spending time on boats, Keane is a landscape architect and Craig owns and operates an advertising firm. Both brothers live in West Ashley near Charleston, SC.

The duo is older and grayer, the tools a little rustier, and the batteries a little run down, but their desire to eat and compete remains strong. Look for a strong build and a fun show during the rowing race. Defibrillator paddles and oars at the ready. 

James Burke & James Burke II – North Charleston, SC 
James Burke is a lifelong carpenter originally from Massachusetts. James Burke II, born and raised in Coastal, SC, is an apprentice carpenter who lives for the trade and boating.

After winning the Human CNC Router Award in the 2019 challenge, this father/son duo is ready to compete again.

Perry & Timothy Traw – North Charleston, SC
First time competitors to the Georgetown Wooden Boat Build Challenge, this father/son duo are excited to participate.

Perry is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer who currently works as a technical writer. He is originally from Tennessee, but has been a long-time resident in Charleston.

Tim is a graduate of The University of Alabama’s mechanical engineering department, and is currently seeking a position as a full-time engineer while pursuing a Master’s degree studying robotics and developing autonomous marine vehicles.

With a love of both the water and woodworking, this father/son team are looking forward to having some fun.

Bryce & Brian Becker – Newport, NC
Bryce has been to each location multiple times, but his favorite one is in Belfast, Maine because the view is so majestic and peaceful. He also likes the steel drum band that plays during the build because he makes it his goal to fill the drums up with saw dust before they leave. Thanks to Cody Keithan, he sometimes goes on Milwaukee tool buying sprees and uses boat building as an excuse for why he bought it, so look for any fancy power tools he might have hidden up his sleeve.

Captain Brian Becker is a self-proclaimed dive-aholic and boat mechanic extraordinaire. He has never built a wooden boat before but claims that it doesn’t look too difficult. As a first time competitor he says “it’s all about the details” and is relying on his son Bryce to get the chopping done. Since retiring from the United States Marine Corps Brian spends his time guiding fellow divers on their quest to spear just about every fish and looking up at the bottom of boats from the depths of the ocean.

Caleb Postlewait, Tommy James & Shane Anderson – Paden, WV
Students from a high school in Paden, West Virginia being coached by Tom Russell.