INTRODUCTION TO BOATBUILDING
Building the Karl Stambaugh Bay Skiff 15.
- BILL THOMAS — SEPTEMBER 7– 13
There are many individuals out there who have decided that they would like to build their very own boat but don’t know how to get started. Many first-time builders have run into problems understanding the process of what to do first and, as a result, soon get intimidated and the idea loses momentum. Bill Thomas, noted boatbuilder, furniture maker, and teacher, invites anyone interested in wooden boats and woodworking to join him in this six-day course focusing on the skills and techniques used in basic boatbuilding. No prior Bay Skiff boatbuilding experience is required; simply a desire to learn. If you want to build a good-looking, simple sailing skiff, Bill can help you get started and guide you through the step-by-step procedures to taking on and completing such a project on your own.
Bill has chosen one of Karl Stambaugh’s lovely designs, the Bay Skiff 15, as the boat students will construct during the course. The day-sailer is, in Karl’s words, “a good compromise between rowing and sailing qualities” and an excellent choice for someone considering building their first boat. She is built of marine plywood and epoxy using a modified glue-and-screw type of construction. Most of the building process will follow traditional procedures except for the chines being attached to the plank panels before the hull is assembled. As with any one-week building schedule, there will be plenty for students to do to have the boat reach the completion stage. Stem, transom, and frame layout and construction; the side and bottom planking process; breasthook and quarter knee installation; thwarts and interior trim; all will come together.
As the skiff takes shape through the week, Bill will lead discussions in small-craft design, selecting a suitable design for the amateur builder, setting up a one-man shop, proper hand and power tool usage, and much more. Whether you have a hankering for traditional skiff construction like the Bay Skiff 15 or are simply looking for a perfect introduction to wooden boat construction, you will thoroughly enjoy this week.
Tuition: $700
Note: This is a six-day course ending Saturday afternoon.
“My INTRODUCTION TO BOATBUILDING course went above my expectations as everything at the school did. Bill Thomas’s passion for boats and boatbuilding was clearly evident, as well as his passion for teaching others about them. A great instructor!”