
Small Boat Repair
Learn the repair techniques to get your boat back on the water.
- Dates
- September 14 – September 27
- Location
- Brooklin, Maine
- Tuition
- $1700
- Instructor
- Joe Connor
- Experience Level
- All Levels
- Activity Level
- Moderate
Positioned at the end of the season intentionally, this class will prepare any small boat owner with the skills and understanding to repair or replace components of small boats in time for the next season. Using the WoodenBoat fleet and other small craft selected specifically for this class, instructor Joe Connor will lead the class in ways to diagnose problems, develop a plan and then execute the necessary repairs to get back on the water.
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.
Joe 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 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. 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.
* There is room for one or two students to bring their own boats; please contact us first to discuss the logistics.

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