For those eager to get hands-on experience, a dynamic schedule of classes led by skilled craft professionals will be available throughout the summer in the Edward John Noble Historic Stone Building. Explore the Boatyard class listed below. Please note that all classes, except for the Birdhouse Building for Children, are designed for individuals aged 16 and older.
*Tuition pricing does not include a 6% registration fee charged by FareHarbor.
Lofting
Lofting is an essential first step in traditional boatbuilding. Working from plans and a table of offsets, boatbuilders draw the lines of a boat full-size, traditionally on a mold loft floor. The drawing ensures all lines are fair in the construction of the molds around which the boat is planked. The lofting also provides many other details of value to the builder, such as the exact shape of the stem rabbet and plank bevels.
Lofting also allows the builder the ability to work from hundreds of plans available from institutions such as Mystic Seaport and the Smithsonian.
In this class, students will work at a table height lofting two or more boats. We will also cover half model making, the precursor to lofting, and go over how to move from lofting to building molds. Printed material will be provided to further reinforce what is learned in the workshop. No prior experience is necessary. Students should bring pencils, a carpenter’s square, and a yardstick.
Dates: June 14-15, 2025
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
Instructor: Douglas Brooks
Cost: $300
Book online now!Bird House Building for Children
ABM is teaming up with Save The River for a special hands-on class focused on helping our feathered friends! Bring the whole family and join us in learning about terns and other migratory birds that travel along the Atlantic Flyway. Save The River’s educator will guide participants through the fascinating world of these birds, while kids and parents work together to build wooden birdhouses designed specifically for terns and similar species.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to introduce children to basic woodworking skills in a real shop setting, all while supporting local conservation efforts. A mid-class snack break will keep everyone fueled for fun.
Tern houses built during the session will be installed by Save The River in local habitats, while other birdhouses will go home with families to hang in their own yards, helping to support migratory birds throughout the region.
Paddle Making
Join us for a two-day, hands-on workshop where you’ll build your own custom canoe or kayak paddle. Designed to fit you and your boat, each paddle is shaped for comfort and performance. No prior woodworking experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and love for the water! By the end of the class, you’ll head home with a fully shaped paddle, ready for final sanding and finishing.
Canvas Boat Bag Making
Join us for two relaxing and hands-on evenings in the historic Stone Building as you craft your own canvas boat bucket or traditional ditty bag. These durable, handcrafted items are as functional as they are stylish—perfect for holding tools, coiling lines, or even chilling a bottle of champagne. Made from heavy-duty canvas, they’re designed to be gentle on varnished surfaces and easily stow away flat when not in use. Whether you’re an avid boater or simply love nautical crafts, this workshop offers a rewarding experience and a timeless piece to take home.
Dates: August 19 & 21
Time: 5 pm – 7 pm
Instructor: Molly Voth & Adam Stanisz
Cost: $50 per student
Book online now!Bronze Casting
Join master craftsman Michael Saari at the Antique Boat Museum for an immersive, hands-on workshop in bronze casting for marine hardware. Whether you’re a boat enthusiast, a metalworking hobbyist, or simply curious about traditional craftsmanship, this class offers a unique opportunity to learn time-honored techniques in a working boatyard setting.
Throughout the class, you’ll explore the full bronze casting process—from basic patternmaking and sand molding to pouring molten bronze and finishing your castings. Michael will also demonstrate how to build an affordable furnace and introduce the essential tools and materials needed for home sand casting. You’ll learn about core making for hollow forms, important safety practices, and where to find reliable resources and supplies.
Each participant will:
- Create their own wooden pattern
- Use a sand mold for casting
- Pour bronze safely under guidance
- Clean and finish their final castings
Typical projects include cleats, row locks, hooks, chocks, fair leads, small hand tools, and more. Students are encouraged to bring items they’d like to replicate, favorite hand tools, and wear appropriate shop clothing. Most participants will leave with 3–4 completed bronze pieces.
Dates: September 29 – October 3
Times: 8 am – 4 pm
Instructor: Michael Saari
Book online now!Michael Saari is a master metalsmith with over 40 years of experience in forging, fabricating, and casting metals for both functional hardware and fine art sculpture. His deep knowledge and craftsmanship have made him a sought-after expert in traditional metalworking, particularly in maritime contexts.
Michael served as the lead shipsmith during the restoration of Mystic Seaport’s historic whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan, and was selected to crew on her 38th voyage along the New England coast in 2014. His maritime experience also includes time aboard the USCG Barque Eagle, sailing from New London, CT to Jacksonville, FL as part of the winter crew.
He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree, with studies completed both in the U.S. and abroad. His diverse body of work includes public commissions such as a 20-foot eyeglass sculpture honoring American Optical and the restoration of historic metalwork for museums and institutions across the country. He has demonstrated traditional metalworking techniques at numerous educational conferences and heritage events.
As an educator, Michael has taught in craft schools across Scandinavia and the U.S., and most recently served as the Blacksmith for the NYC Parks Department. He now balances private commissions with his role as adjunct professor of art at Nichols College in Dudley, MA.
