Fundamentals of Boatbuilding: Focus on a Gartside Skiff
The theory and practice of classical boatbuilding.
- Dates
- September 15 – September 28
- Location
- Brooklin, Maine
- Tuition
- $1600
- Instructor
- Bob Fuller
- Experience Level
- Beginner
- Activity Level
- Moderate
This is a two-week course ending Friday
Other Sessions: June 2-15, June 16-29, June 30-July 13, & July 14-27
Fundamentals of Boatbuilding is the core curriculum of our boatbuilding courses and one of our most popular offerings. This series generally deals with the whole craft of boatbuilding, specifically with wooden boats, and most specifically with plank-on-frame small craft.
We tend to build challenging boats in these classes—round-bilged, carvel, and lapstrake-planked types—because if you can build one of these, you can build almost anything. Ideally, each class will start one boat, work at planking another, and finish a third. The emphasis is always more on learning than on pushing through a project. Each session combines daily discussion periods with an abundance of practical work. You’ll start out discussing boat plans and design, and how to develop a project plan.
Lofting will follow (see Lofting for a complete treatment of this subject). From there, it will be a steady stream of boatbuilding lessons—tools, body plans, types of construction, planking methods, steam-bending, lamination, woods, fastenings, and much, much more.
This course will also focus on building an 11ft, Paul gartside designed skiff, that should be finished enough for someone in the class to take home!
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Who is this course best suited for?
This course is appropriate for students with some knowledge and experience. Basic knowledge and use of hand tools is required for most shop courses.
This course involves a moderate level of activity throughout the week including: standing and working sometimes throughout the day, some hand planing or sanding, working on group projects that require occasional participation.
What Our Students Are Saying
My week at WoodenBoat School was a magical time. Everything was taken care of beautifully. The feeling of warmth and welcoming is pervasive throughout the school. My sailing instructors were delightful. I became more and more comfortable on the water as my course progressed. I knew nothing about wind, only to be fearful and respectful. But now I watch it, study it, and understand it. Thank you all so much.”
E.F. Lexington, Kentucky
My week at WoodenBoat School was a magical time. Everything was taken care of beautifully. The feeling of warmth and welcoming is pervasive throughout the school. My sailing instructors were delightful. I became more and more comfortable on the water as my course progressed. I knew nothing about wind, only to be fearful and respectful. But now I watch it, study it, and understand it. Thank you all so much.”
E.F. Lexington, Kentucky
My week at WoodenBoat School was a magical time. Everything was taken care of beautifully. The feeling of warmth and welcoming is pervasive throughout the school. My sailing instructors were delightful. I became more and more comfortable on the water as my course progressed. I knew nothing about wind, only to be fearful and respectful. But now I watch it, study it, and understand it. Thank you all so much.”
E.F. Lexington, Kentucky
Register For This Course
Courses fill quickly, so don't delay if this is a course you want to take.
