For those that want to get their hands dirty, an everchanging schedule of classes taught by craft professionals is offered throughout the summer in the Edward John Noble Historic Stone Building. Explore the 2023 Boatyard classes below.
Book one of our Boatyard Classes online today by clicking here or the link under the class you’re interested in!
*Tuition pricing does not include 6% registration fee charged by FareHarbor.
Bronze Casting
Michael Saari will be returning to Clayton in 2023 to teach Bronze Casting for Marine Hardware at the Antique Boat Museum. Basic patternmaking, sand molding, and bronze casting will be covered, as well as information on how to build an inexpensive furnace and necessary tools for sand-casting molten bronze. Making of cores (for casting hollow forms) will be addressed, as well as important safety practices and resources. In this hands-on class, each student will make a wooden pattern, learn to use a sand mold, pour bronze, and finish castings. Possible projects include cleats, row locks, hooks, chocks, small hand tools, fair leads, and more. Students are encouraged to bring item(s) to reproduce, favorite hand tools, and suitable work wear; expect to take home 3-4 completed pieces.
September 25-29, 2023 | 9-4pm
Class Size: 8
Cost: $400 includes tuition and materials
Register now by clicking here!
Michael Saari is a master metalsmith with 40 years of experience in forging, fabricating, and casting metals for hardware and sculpture. He was the lead shipsmith in the restoration of Mystic Seaport’s whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN and was selected to crew on the Morgan’s 38th voyage along the New England coast in 2014. Michael was part of the winter crew on the USCG Barque Eagle, travelling from New London, CT to Jacksonville, FL. He has studied abroad and in the U.S., completing a master’s degree in Fine Art.
Commissions have included a 20′ eyeglass sculpture commemorating American Optical, restoration of historic hardware at major museums, and demonstrations for educational purposes at numerous conferences. Having taught workshops in schools of handcraft in Scandinavia and the U.S., Michael most recently left a position with the City of New York as Parks Department Blacksmith, to resume private commissions and take a position as adjunct professor of art at Nichols College in Dudley, MA. A lifelong sailor, he has competed in the Star Class, restored a wooden Firefly, and has enjoyed teaching bronze casting at Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, ME.
Family Birdhouse Building
ABM is partnering up with Save The River to build housing for Terns and other flyway birds. Come with your kids to hear from STR’s Educator about terns and other flyway birds while introducing them to a shop setting. This class will be adapted to all ages interested with parents attending. Time will be set aside mid class for a snack break. Tern houses will be set in the habitat by STR while other houses will be taken home by families to hang at their property.
Hand Plane Making
Students will leave after two evenings with a fully functional hand plane. These planes are made in the style that James Krenov championed and made famous. Ergonomic, comfortable and easily customized, making your own plane is a far better tool than those mass produced for the same price. Included with all the materials to fabricate the plane is a Hock blade and chip breaker. Hock Tools blades are the finest quality and will last a lifetime.
July 11 & 13, 2023 | 4:30 – 7:00pm
Class size: 8 students
Cost: $120
Register today by clicking here!
Lines Taking
Students will spend two evenings taking the lines off of the “Grant Skiff” from the collection. The 2023 method of lines taking will be different from last year to offer variety. The Grant Skiff is a 13’ smooth skin rowing craft with a wineglass transom. We will also discuss the various things to look for and record when documenting a boat, so that a replica can be produced. This class will be good for those that want to document a boat for lines drawing/reproduction or those who wish to better understand how museums document boats.
June 13 & 15, 2023 | 4:30 – 7:00pm
Class size: 8 students
Cost: $50
Register today by clicking here!
Lofting
Students will spend two evenings learning how to draw out a boat full size. This is the first and most important step to building your own boat. Lofting this season will be of the Builder in Residence 22’ Saint Lawrence skiff. Students will learn to set up the grid, read a table of offsets and draw the three views.
June 20 & 22, 2023 | 4:30-7:00pm
Class size: 8 students
Cost: $50
Register today by clicking here!
Mold Making
Students will learn to convert 2D drawings and lofting into molds ready to be set up on a building jig. Different methods of transfer will be discussed and tried. Setup on the building jig, in addition to what information needs to be on the mold for construction of the boat will be covered as well.
Spar Building for Small Craft
This class will focus on the construction of spars for small craft. Students will learn the different types of wood, shaping a square blank into a round, laminated vs solid, gaffs and sprits. While the class will focus on traditional solid construction, birdsmouth and hollow box will be discussed. This class will helpful to anyone that is building a small craft of their own or would like to make an experimental rig for an existing boat.
Tool Sharpening
Bring your edge tools or knives to this night class on sharpening. Students will be given the opportunity to learn how to sharpen planes, chisels, spokeshaves or their favorite knife. There will be enough grinders, stones and materials for all to use through out the night. This would also be a good opportunity to bring that yard sale or “garage find” edge tool to get it cutting well. Shop tools will be available to practice on as well.
May 25, 2023 | 4:30-7:00pm
Class Size: 10 students
Cost: $35
Register today by clicking here!
