Teaching & Class Offerings:

Maine Guide

Class offerings and dates for 2012

  Chewonki Boat Builders

 

Introduction To Boatbuilding

 

Intro. to boat building

 

Current Class Offerings

Here are the descriptions for the classes I’ll be teaching in 2012.  It’s a varied offering with 7 building classes and 4 on water classes. Family week at The WoodenBoat School is back. I’ll also be leading a new kayaking class where we’ll spend several nights camping on islands in Penobscot Bay. I won't be able to help with the Mary Day class this year but it’s such a great week for students I’m leaving it up by way of encouragement.  A detailed list of dates and the venues can be found at the bottom of this page.

 

Building the Willow Sea Kayak:
Build your own sea kayak in a one-week class. Students start with a pre-cut kit containing all the materials needed to build the hard-chined Willow Sea Kayak design. The construction is stitch-and-glue using Okoume plywood. This is a full-on week with the kayak construction finished at the end of class. Students will still have some work to do when they get home, but the end result will be a lightweight rugged and beautiful boat.

Chewonki Boatbuilders Expedition

Locate on Montsweag Bay Camp Chewonki has become a true Maine landmark. Chewonki was originally founded as a boy’s camp but over the years the programs offered have expanded to include girl’s camps, coed wilderness trips and winter full semester sessions open to high school students.

One of their most exciting programs, at least to my way of thinking, is their Boatbuilders Expedition.  During this 5 week class young men and women, ages 14-18, will spend about two weeks building their own kayaks. They will then set out to paddle and explore mid-coast Maine in their new boats.

The Willow kayak has been selected as the new ‘Chewonki kayak’ and this will be my fifth year working with the campers to build and outfit the kayaks they will be paddling on their wilderness adventures. I am extremely proud that the Willow was chosen and looking forward to working with the camp staff and the campers again!

Building Fox

Fox is a decked double paddle canoe, a boat intended for protected waters along the coast, for lakes and for all those appealing back waters and creeks you are always driving by and meaning to explore someday.

With an 80” long cockpit,  Fox is a grand boat for hunting, fishing and tripping with a dog or young child seated forward of the paddler.

Fox boasts two water-tight compartments for storage and flotation, ample room for a camping kit and a comfortable seatback and caned seat.

She  is 14’7” long with a beam of 30", the finished weight is just over 40 pounds.

We’ll build in the stitch-and-glue method and have the boat assembled at the end of  an  enjoyable 6 day class.

Introduction to Boat Building:

No prior boat-building experience is required, simply a desire to learn. If you want to help build a good-looking, double ended boat, explore the theories behind boat construction and learn basic woodworking skills this class is a great way to get started. You will be guided through the step-by-step procedures of taking on and completing a similar project on your own. In this course the students build an Iain Oughtred designed Skerrieskiff 15. The construction method for this appealing boat is “traditional” glued-lap plywood. There will also be discussions in small-craft design, selecting suitable building projects, setting up a shop, and the proper use of hand and power tools.

Elements of Coastal Kayaking:

Develop your kayaking skills through class time coupled with day and overnight paddles along the coast of Maine. The class will focus on paddling skills as well as equipment and trip planning. We will talk about selecting an appropriate kayak and paddling gear, safety procedures and necessary safety equipment. We will cover transporting kayaks, various paddle strokes, rescue methods and navigation. Students also work at developing a better understanding of weather and sea conditions. During the June class we’ll be spending several nights camping on Maine’s stunning islands. Either week promises a fun filled enlightening experience in a spectacular setting.


Small Boat Voyaging

Students will explore the wealth of islands and coves within day-trip distances of WoodenBoat School and return to campus each day. In the classroom, we will review weather forecasts, tide and current tables, chart reading and navigation, as well as concepts and theories of small-boat handling. Trip planning, gear considerations, provisioning, first aid, and “leave no trace” ethics will be discussed. Out in the boats, we’ll put all these new skills to practical on-the-water use.

Each day we’ll head out as a group to nearby islands and coves in boats selected from WoodenBoat’s fleet. Depending on weather conditions, these might be rowing or pulling boats or daysailers. Daily practice at anchoring and coastwise navigation, including the real aspects of tides and changing weather, will reinforce the theories discussed in the classroom.

Camp cruising: overnight adventures in small sailboats.

In short, this class will be a mini-expedition, a three-night small boat voyage among the islands of coastal Maine. Tailored towards capable small boat sailors, we’ll cover the logistical and practical aspects of camp cruising such as trip planning, navigation, food preparation, gear selection, rigging, leave no trace camping, and of course safety. This is a WoodenBoat School offering.

Family week

Build the Family Pram at The WoodenBaot School. She’s a wonderfully versatile little boat for rowers of all age and a perfect first-time boatbuilding project for any family to take on.  At 7′10″ in length, the construction is a hybrid of stich-and-glue and more kid-friendly traditional methods. The building process has been carefully choreographed so that families can enjoy a fun week with all ages participating in the building of the boat. The end result will be a pretty, practical rowboat suitable for younger first-time boaters or old salts.

Sailing The Schooner Mary Day:

The Mary Day is a 90’ Schooner sailing out of Camden, Maine. She is a gorgeous boat and in addition to a full season of windjammer cruises several weeks of sail training are also offered. Students spend the week learning the ins and outs of navigation and seamanship while exploring the Penobscot Bay.  The anchorages are snug, the food is wicked good and the learning experience is priceless!

 

Small Boat

 

       2012 Class Schedule

Build Your Own Willow Sea Kayak,

Chewonki Boatbuilders Expedition

Building Fox

Introduction to Boatbuilding 

Camp cruising

Small Boat Voyaging

Elements of Coastal Kayaking

Family Week

Sailing on the Mary Day