Boatbuilding Classes

Lapstrake Boatbuilding

Location: Chesapeake Light Craft - Annapolis, Maryland
Dates: Sep 20, 2010 - Sep 25, 2010

This very popular course focuses on the construction method of modern, all-around small boats called for in many designers’ plans. During this week students will build the hull for two of John Brooks’s well-known designs, boats that feature light weight, resilient strength, permanent watertightness, and graceful lines. The Compass Harbor Pram is a great introductory project with a narrow, flat-bottom and curved, lapstrake topsides. Ellen is a more complex design with all the structure and shape of a round-bilged hull.

During this captivating six-day course, students will start out making and assembling the backbone parts for the two hulls: transoms, inner stem, keelson and bottom. You’ll then learn how to prepare and scarf marine-grade mahogany plywood planking stock. John will explain how the building jigs are created, then show students how to attach the backbones and how to bevel the keelson and bottom in preparation for planking. Everyone will have plenty of opportunity to learn how to spile, make, and attach planks plus how to bevel the laps.

As the hulls are built, John will teach you his special methods and tricks that making the planking process go smoothly. He will also share many other ideas he has discovered while working in his own shop, a real bonus to anyone interested in learning the basics of modern wooden boatbuilding. John will also demonstrate efficient and elegant ways to use your hand tools and how to sharpen them—always a crowd favorite.

The goal of this course is to give everyone the skills they will need to take a set of plans with full-sized patterns and build a beautiful boat—especially the hardest first step, turning lines on raw paper and raw lumber into a solid, real hull. Plans for both boats will be available from John at a discount to his students. Please keep in mind that woodworking experience is required for this busy and varied class.