Testimonials
“The sense of community you have created at your school is superb. I’ve taken similar courses elsewhere and the single biggest difference is the effort you make to engage everyone in all that you have to offer. For a first timer, it was a great experience. You’ll definitely see me again.”
“The experience has been marvelous—great teachers, interesting people, beautiful area—what more could you ask for—A truly wonderful time. Thanks and expect me back as soon as I can.”
“Wyatt Lawrence was excellent—helpful, friendly and able to easily explain the various facets of boatbuilding. It was more like spending the week building a boat with a friend than an instructor.”
“I was pleasantly surprised to find that WoodenBoat School has existed for 27 years and is not glib or slick, but rather “down to earth”, very helpful to all participants, and, through its faculty and staff, so knowledgeable in so many areas. Keep up the good work!”
“Perhaps it is obvious, but I think that your program is so absolutely special. The courses are great, the organization works well, the potential for meeting nice and interesting people is high, and the environment is such a big part of the whole package. My week on the waterfront and classes in the boathouse were the epitome of what WoodenBoat School has to offer!”
“Did I Mention it was a great two weeks? ...so good, in fact, that when I got back to work I fired up the computers and realized I’d forgotten my passwords. I spent the better part of the day getting then reset. I didn’t care; I’d been to WoodenBoat School. I can’t say enough about your place—the environment, the staff, the knowledge shared in every course. Your school exceeds expectations at all levels. It’s an experience not to be missed!”
“I appreciated the open, honest, and friendly manner that pervades the school and staff. Thank you so much. I will treasure this week for a long time.”
“I found your FUNDAMENTALS OF BOATBUILDING course to be outstanding. I learned an enormous amount and look forward to putting it to use in building my own boats. Thanks!”
“A good organization starts at the top and that must be the case at WoodenBoat School. Things were clean and very shipshape. Your staff and instructors were always helpful and friendly. All in all, a most memorable experience.?”
“Like so many of the courses at WoodenBoat School, the MARINE PAINTING AND VARNISHING class offered something for everyone, no matter what level of experience and what area of interest. A real confidence builder. Thanks.”
“Our sailing instructors were very knowledgeable, calm, approachable, helpful and very supportive—a perfect environment for a beginning sailor.”
“Part of the wonderful magic at WoodenBoat School comes from the special chemistry of congenial students, instructors and staff. I guess wooden boats attract fine people!”
“Your FUNDAMENTALS OF BOATBUILDING course was far better than I could have imagined. I learned so much including many methods and techniques for building molds and wooden boats, lofting, patternmaking, spiling planks, and painting a waterline. This is a fabulous course for anyone interested in wooden boats.”
“Having a chance to build the Caledonia Yawl was outstanding! The course was well-organized, appropriately paced, and exactly what I was looking for. I’d love to take another course taught by Geoff Kerr.”
“A marvelous week. I only wish I had found out about your program earlier in my life.”
“I appreciated the great service all of your staff provided. I found everyone there to be courteous and very, very helpful. I’ll definitely be back!”
“You are wonderfully organized, congenial, and the food was excellent. I’ll be back for certain!”
“You have an exquisite place and the quality and professionalism of the program is very impressive. Great job by all!”
“After a week in ELEMENTS II, I’m tired, sunburned, extremely happy, and a much better sailor.”
“I was very impressed with your entire staff. The shop staff, especially, was always willing to help out. They certainly play an important part in creating the great learning environment that exists at WoodenBoat School.”
“As if your regular program aren’t wonderful enough, sharing Family Week with my son Jeff was amazing for me as a parent. We have memories of LEARN TO SAIL that I think both of us will hold dear. The things that made the week so incredibly precious could never be found in a theme park, four-star hotel or on a behemoth cruise ship. I think watching him discover sailing and experience it for himself was as rewarding for me as it was for him. When he sailed off on his own in that little Nutshell, I felt like I did the first day he went off to school. It made me realize how quickly the years have slipped by and that he’s much closer to charting his own course in life. Family week was the perfect opportunity to stop and taste the s’mores while there’s still time.”
“Thank you for an exceptional experience!”
“The week I spent at WoodenBoat School was not only informative but comfortable, relaxing, and I returned home “well fed.” I especially enjoyed the atmosphere created by your shop staff. The food was great and the accommodations clean and comfortable. Please extend my appreciation to your staff. It is because of them and the total positive experience that I am already making plans to return.”
“Your staff and facilities were very accommodating. The food, atmosphere, and fellow students all made for a life-long experience.”
“I want to express my appreciation for providing me with some of the best memories of my life. I realize you meet hundreds of new people every year but you have the exceptional gift of making me feel like much more than a mere client. The boys have shared stories and pictures with everyone they have come in contact with since arriving home. Be they family, friends, or passer-by, none were spared their enthusiasm and excitement. Thanks for another great week at WoodenBoat School.”
“Thanks to everyone at WoodenBoat School for all their efforts and diligence in making my week so pleasant and fruitful. The atmosphere of conviviality and enjoyment you generate and maintain up there does not happen by accident, and I, like all your students, am deeply appreciative of the work that goes on behind the scenes to make it all happen.”
“A deep passion for wooden boats has enriched my life for many ears. I worked on several wooden Folk boats and actively sailed them for almost ten years. I am now ready to pursue a major career change having worked in the automotive supply industry for over 17 years and my two weeks in Brooklin were my last test to find out if I really wanted to follow wooden boat restoration as a new career. Thanks to you I found my answer.”
“I just wanted to say what a great atmosphere and environment you’ve created. It constantly comes out in how people feel so relaxed and at home here. Thanks for all your efforts.”
“The overall atmosphere at your school is both pleasant and exciting. Great staff. This is truly a special place bringing lots of interesting people together who have a desire to learn and share.”
“Attending your school is truly an enjoyable, exciting and rewarding experience.”
“WoodenBoat School continues to be one of the truly wonderful places on earth!”
“Thank you again for a fabulous stay at WoodenBoat. You have a terrific organization of great people up there, and you really do make a big difference in a lot of folks’ lives. I honestly believe that the school makes the world a better place through bringing out the best in everybody, students and staff alike.”
“Thank you for making my husband and I feel so welcome at your school. Our courses were both inspiring and fun. The comfortable accommodations and excellent food were an unexpected pleasure. Count on us both returning for sure.”
“A truly wonderful and unexpected complement to my outstanding sailing course was the warmth and friendliness that existed in your student house. I was impressed by your housekeeping staff and how much I was made to feel at home. Thank you.”
“What a fantastic experience! Thank you so much. It was, perhaps, the best time of my life so far. I’ll definitely be back !”
“Thank you and all your staff for a fabulous week, all the more memorable because my daughter and I got our introduction to sailing together.”
“I learned so much in your ELEMENTS OF SEAMANSHIP program and enjoyed every second. The course really allowed me to reinforce and consolidate skills during the week, as well as, introduce new concepts, theories and skills. Thanks for making me a better, more confident sailor.”
“Our first visit to Maine was pure magic thanks to your entire staff and our instructor. A fascinating course, great weather, incredible meals, and wonderful camaraderie among fellow students from the world over made for an experience we will never forget. Thanks for being there!”
“I learned a huge amount about how to evaluate my own boat and when to call in a professional surveyor. I also appreciated learning where to go for reference information when I have a question about approved materials, components, and installation methods. Finally, I now have the basics for developing a strong preventive maintenance program for my own boat.”
“I had a great time and am really looking forward to continuing building back home. Thanks for giving me the confidence to finally get started.”
“WoodenBoat School is a remarkable community of great people who enjoy what they do and are committed to creating a wonderful atmosphere of learning and appreciation. I can’t thank you enough for the scholarship you provided. Without it, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to participate in your excellent program.”