When was the last time a South Whidbey church could honestly claim that its latest fundraising project would be a boatload of fun?

For those who cannot remember, the date to mark is June 7. On that day, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders will open its construction yard to the public to give tours of its latest and biggest-ever project, The Empress of the North.

Matt Nichols, president of the company, said he and the pastors at three South Whidbey churches — Trinity Lutheran in Freeland, the Langley Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and the Assembly of God Church, also in Langley — decided recently that this interest could turn into a good fund-raiser for the youth groups at the churches. Having received over the past few months dozens of requests from individuals and groups to see the Empress up close, Nichols said opening the yard and the big, ocean-going paddlewheeler-in-progress would be good for both his company and church youth.

“Let’s do something for them,” he said.

For a $10 donation, those touring Nichols Brothers will see every aspect of the boat building operation. They will as be able to tour the Empress, deck by deck, and inside and out. Nichols said his company will have tour guides available in all areas of the boat and the yard to explain construction techniques and answer questions about the 360-foot boat.

Nichols recently expanded its boatyard to accommodate the boat, which stands higher than any building on South Whidbey. Curious passersby have been able to watch the construction over the past year through windows in the fence around the Nichols boat yard. The company recently installed a giant paddlewheel on the back of the boat and is within a few months of launching the craft.

Tickets for the tour are on sale at all three churches involved in the fund-raiser. Some will also be on sale at the boatyard the day of the event.