Strip Composite Construction
Strip-building two fast pulling boats.
- CLINT CHASE —AUGUST 19–25
Tuition: $750
Note: This is a six-day course ending Saturday afternoon.
Portland, Maine-based boatbuilder Clint Chase is known for his beautiful, high-performance, open-water rowboats, pulling boats, and sailboats up to 30′ in length using best practices in wood-composite construction. In this exciting six-day course, Clint will lead students through the strip composite construction of a legendary double ended rowboat, the St. Lawrence River Skiff. We will build Annie, a striking 18-footer, and an ultralight, cartoppable 14′ version.
After reviewing the 3D CAD models and construction plans for each design, students will get busy setting up and fairing the molds, laminating stems, laying a keelson, and beginning the planking process. In one week, you will use square edge and bead-and-cove strips, see how three different strip patterns can be employed, and be able to weigh the pros and cons of each method.
During the course, Clint will lead discussions on the choice of materials for strip-composites, clamping techniques, strip patterns, glues, hull-fairing techniques and the unique joinerwork needed for these great boats. You’ll also explore various options in keeping designs like these both lightweight and strong. Once both hulls are planked and faired, you’ll learn how to do a professional sheathing job using lightweight fiberglass cloth on both the inside and outside of the hulls. True to the plans, mahogany gunwales will be added to these two beautiful boats to finish the shells of these classic rowboats.
As a bonus, Clint will lead the class in two morning rows, teaching some fixed-seat rowing techniques and discuss how to properly fit oars and oarsman to a boat. At the end of the week, students will not only have what it takes to strip-plank your own boat at home, but everyone will leave with a clear view of what makes a pulling boat truly exceptional.
