The GLBBS Boat Building program is designed to give our students a comprehensive course of study in the methods and materials required of today’s wooden boat builder.
The Nine Month Program is divided into three segments or Quarters:
- First Quarter: Basic Wood Working and Boat Building
- Second Quarter: Traditional Wooden Boat Building
- Third Quarter: Composite Wooden Boat Building
In the First Quarter the student will be guided through the disciplines of hand tool woodworking, and then the safe and efficient use of power woodworking machines. Indepth lectures will be coordinated with hands-on projects that increase in complexity as the student’s skill and confidence grow. A lofting segment will introduce basic boatbuilding theory. Lofting will be followed by a group project building a flat bottom skiff. The skiff project will develop the student’s woodworking skills, introduce simple boatbuilding concepts and help the student develop as a team member.
The second quarter will be devoted to an in-depth study of traditional wooden boats and the methods of building them. Lapstrake and carvel construction will be taught through lectures and project boats. The several styles or methods of construction will be discussed so the student can choose the appropriate one for their future boats. Project boats will be selected for their appropriate size and complexity. Our policy that no boats will be built for private commission or contract guarantees that the project boats will first and foremost benefit the student’s education.
In the final quarter the class will explore the modern wood/epoxy construction methods, in lecture and practice, including cold molding, strip plank, glued lap, and plywood. Safe and appropriate use of adhesives and coatings will be emphasized during the construction of a project boat.
Graduates will then have the opportunity to further their experience at the school through the Fourth Quarter Advanced Courses with a variety of courses of one to four weeks duration. These workshops will be available to either the marine professional or recent boat school graduate.
