Important Registration Information - 2025 Registration

Off-Site
Boatbuilding Off-Site

Build Your Own Stitch-And-Glue Kayak

Versatile, durable, easy-to-build designs for both the recreational and serious kayaker.

Dates
April 14 – April 19
Location
Chesapeake Light Craft, Annapolis, MD
Tuition
$950 (partner $450)
Materials
See Description
Instructor
Andrew Schroeher
Experience Level
Novice
Activity Level
High

This is a six-day course ending Saturday

Wood Duck 10′: $1451             Shearwater Sport: $1631
Wood Duck 12′: $1451             Shearwater 16′: $1631
Wood Duck 14′: $1617             Shearwater 17′: $1631
Wood Duck Double: $1765

Other Sessions: June 29- July 5 (Brooklin, ME)

Note: Please only register the initial builder and then reach out to the School offices to register any partners that will be joining you.

Is there a perfect kayak? You can’t have all in one kayak. For speed, you want a hull that is long and narrow. For comfort, you want broad beam and a big cockpit. For maneuverability and ease of handling, a short kayak is desirable. Artful compromise is the mark of good design, and Eric Schade has a number of beautiful kayaks that may just fit your bill. Students who register for this very popular course will be able to choose among the following designs: the 14’6” Shearwater Sport, the Shearwater 16 or 17, and the Wood Duck series.

The Shearwater Sport is Eric’s most versatile traditional kayak. It offers the perfect compromise of light weight, sharp West Greenland handling, effortless cruising speed, and an extra-large cockpit for comfort. And it’s more than fast enough to accelerate onto waves for surfing. The Shearwater 16 and 17 are great-looking, performance-oriented touring kayaks, perfectly suited to the experienced paddler. The Shearwater designs feature a cambered deck and a West Greenland–style hard-chined hull. The Wood Duck 10, 12, and 14 are all compact, easy-to-launch, recreational kayaks built for comfort and speed. With big cockpits and ample stability, they are ideal for exploring inland waterways, fishing, or just having fun with your kids.

All of these designs are built from a Chesapeake Light Craft kit using the most advanced wood-composite techniques. Stitch-and-glue plywood construction of computer-cut panels makes the assembly very user-friendly. The structure is carefully and neatly reinforced with epoxy and fiberglass for use on rocky beaches. During construction, your instructor will explain options for outfitting the boats with seats, backrests, foot braces, hatch covers, and deck rigging. At the end of the week each kayak will be ready for sanding and paint or varnish. On Saturday afternoon you’ll be taking home a beautiful, new boat along with plenty of new skills and shop tips you can use on many future wood-epoxy composite boatbuilding projects.

  • Who is this course best suited for?

    This course is appropriate for someone with little or no experience.  The course is designed around the idea that you have not done this before or know very little about the subject.  Students should pay more attention to suggested readings or videos to help familiarize themselves ahead of time.

    This course involves a high level of activity throughout the week Including: sustained sanding or hand planing, standing and working most of the day.

sample
Access to experience

Register For This Course

Courses fill quickly, so don't delay if this is a course you want to take.

Register Now External Link Icon