During the 1990s, with the popularity of the boat building courses, the outreach programs with schools and civic organizations, and the growing interest in maritime heritage, the center quickly outgrew its facilities on campus.
As a result, the center opened the Sea Fever Project as an independent 501c3 (not-for-profit organization) off campus. The Sea Fever Project paid special attention to youth and adult retraining for the local Maritime Industries.
From this developed a sailing program, the Buffalo Community Boating Center, which was located at Buffalo's Small Boat Harbor off Fuhrmann Boulevard. With new opportunities offered by the college, the program was moved back to campus in 1998.
