Boatbuilding & Restoration
COME LEARN WITH US!
As the saying goes, "experience starts when you begin," so why not get a start on that project you've always wanted to do? We're always developing new boatbuilding and restoration classes. Watch this page for the latest offerings, or e-mail your contact information to Curator of Education, Lora Nadolski lnadolski@abm.org to be placed on our mailing list for class announcements.
FAMILY BOATBUILDING
Imagine rowing a boat you built yourself! Want something fun and creative to do with your family or friends? Participate in Family Boatbuilding. Over the course of a week you and your group (whoever it may be, from children to grandparents, church groups or scout packs) will learn the basics of boatbuilding while constructing your own boat to take home. We use a kit for the "Cottage Skiff," a classic 11'6" flat-bottomed design. This sturdy skiff is a perfect starter boat for people looking to learn how to build and is also an ideal craft for exploring creeks, shorelines, and getting young boaters on the water. The Antique Boat Museum provides everything needed for the course including expert advice and hands-on help every step of the way. By the end of the course, you and your family will launch and row your completed skiff.
Dates: July 7-11, 2008*
Course Length: 5 Days
Tuition: $1250 per boat
* You may also contact us about setting up a boatbuilding program for your business, retirement, youth, or church group.
DOUBLE PADDLE CANOE BUILDING
Learn everything you need to know to build a skin-on-frame boat in this hands-on two and a half day course. When students arrive, the canoe’s gunwales, stems, and keelson will be in place on a form. Instructor Hilary Russell will then guide students through the steps of steaming and installing ribs; lashing the stringers (the longitudinal pieces) to the ribs, installing inwales, and applying polyurethane to the boat. On Sunday students will put on the skin and install thwarts, a backrest, and a stem band. The canoe will be raffled off at the end of the day, with a charge to cover the cost of materials.
Every student will receive a packet including a description of the step-by-step process of building a double paddle canoe as well as an annotated list of resources for skin-on-frame boat plans, materials and supplies. By the end of the course all students will have acquired the basic skills and knowledge necessary to go home and build their own skin-on-frame boats. This course is great for people of all levels.
Dates: July 11-13, 2008
Course Times: Friday 6pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 9am-3pm (16 hours)
Tuition: $225 member, $250 non-member
TRADITIONAL PADDLE-MAKING
Traditional canoe paddles are usually longer and narrower in the blade shape. This decreases the amount of squaring that the canoeist must put into an efficient stroke. This reduces needless effort and soreness for the canoeist. Cruising speed is not affected because the surface area of the blade, although narrower, is longer. These blades are easier to steer and the exit and entry are both smoother than with a wider blade.
In this class we will start with a cherry blank. We will only be using hand tools. The class starts at 9am and finishes by 4pm. You will go home with a completed paddle that only needs the final sanding and coating. Please bring lunch and a snack for yourself.
Date: Sunday, July 18, 2008
Course Length: 1 day, 9am to 4pm
Tuition: $120 member, $135 non-member
To contact the Museum Education Department:
Email lnadolski@abm.org
