BUILD YOUR OWN ANNAPOLIS WHERRY

Experience the ultimate in a recreational, open water pulling boat, Chesapeake Light Craft Shop, Annapolis, MD

There are few things in life as pleasant as rowing an elegant lapstrake wherry, and few ways to get as thorough a workout. At 65 pounds, she is easy to car-top and fast under oars. Her burden of 400 pounds allows for a passenger or a camping kit. Though the Annapolis Wherry may be rowed as a fixed seat boat with one or two oarsman, she is at her best as a sliding seat boat. She is designed to use an off-the-shelf Piantedosi drop-in rowing unit, so the builder need not fabricate riggers.

Annapolis Wherry open water pulling boat

While the wherry appears to be a conventional glued-lap boat, she is actually built using the Lapstitch™ method. This new techniques developed by Chris Kulczycki eliminates the need for forms, a strongback, and the rolling bevel at the lap joints. Lapstitch™ construction makes it possible for each student to leave with a completed, though unpainted, fixed-seat wherry. For anyone who wishes to install a sliding seat unit, David will be available when the class concludes on Saturday afternoon.

Building an 18' pulling boat in a week is no mean task, even when beginning with pre-cut planks, as students will in this course. So come prepared for a busy week of intense boatbuilding. Of course, you’ll do a lot more than just build your own boat. Along the way, students will learn about traditional and Lapstitch™ construction techniques, rowing boat design, safe epoxy use, fiberglass application, and finishing techniques. It will be an exciting week with an outstanding boatbuilder to guide you through your project!

Tuition: $700

Materials: $1199

Note: This is a six-day course ending Saturday afternoon.