Small Boat Repairs
Figuring out what’s wrong and how to fix it right.
- Greg Bauer — June 20–July 3
The repairing and rebuilding of wooden boats is a journey that can provide great personal satisfaction. In the process, you’ll become familiar with your boat’s intricate construction details, and come to appreciate the careful craftsmanship that transformed the original raw timber into the boat you love. The challenge of repairing and rebuilding can frustrate beginner and professional alike. Conquering the complications of “bringing her back” can be more rewarding than building new, especially when the result is to return a classic to its calling–sailing, cruising, rowing, or fishing.
There are also excellent practical reasons to acquire this skill. Wooden boat repair is the trade in demand at boatyards around the country. Thoughtful and skillful repair can help you keep a good boat alive or take advantage of the bargains available in the used-boat market. Our repair courses can help you gain the confidence to undertake a serious rebuild project and develop the abilities that will lead to a job well done.
Repair solutions are unique for every project; they depend on the boat’s general condition, type of construction, and the time and materials available. From the very first day, this hands-on course will keep you busy with a wide assortment of repair problems. You’ll begin with a careful survey and analysis of the boat’s structure, leading to a practical repair plan—the crucial first step to a successful project. You’ll learn how to evaluate and then save or restore the boat’s shape. Your instructor, boatbuilder Greg Bauer from French Webb & Co. in Belfast, Maine, will share numerous tricks used to carefully remove structural parts to be replaced; how to use patterns to transfer the shape to new wood; and spiling and measuring techniques. Plank refastening and replacement, broken frame repair, rot in the keel, stopping deck leaks, repairing transoms, and lots more will be discussed. You’ll practice various techniques necessary to these repairs, such as cutting
scarf joints and fitting dutchmen, steam-bending frames, and laminating. And you’ll learn about the initial causes of the problems you might encounter, how they might be prevented, and alternate routes to their solution.
The “patient” boats for this course vary from year to year. Between students’ boats and a couple more from our collection, everyone gets to work on a wide variety of repairs. There is room for a few students to bring their own boats; please contact us first to discuss the logistics.
Whether you own a wooden boat, are thinking of buying one, work in a yard, or just enjoy solving problems with wood, this outstanding course with an accomplished boatbuilder may be just for you.
Tuition: $1150 two-week course