Courses

In this week long course, students will build a kayak using the stitch and glue method, which uses copper wire to stitch plywood planks together, finishing with epoxy resin to glue them in place. These boats are durable, attractive and approachable to a beginning builder. Students will choose from the…

Here is a boatbuilding class designed with the boating family in mind. The reason we build boats should be to use them, not just to build them. The goal is to build a craft that will get folks out on the water quickly in a handmade boat. Using stitch and…

With more than just aesthetic appeal, cedar-strip boats are known for being lightweight, strong, and quick to build. Gain the know-how and confidence to complete a boat project in your own backyard through seven days of hands-on instruction building a tandem canoe with other students. Techniques involve setting up the…

Composite canoes are light, efficient and paddle like a dream. But canoe country granite can chew them up if you’re not careful. It can seem a bit daunting to use modern resins and fabrics but fear not. We’ll take the mysteries out of repairing that faithful paddling friend safely with…

A coracle or currach is an ancient boat of Irish and Welsh origin which was used in the rivers to net salmon. Originally covered with a single cow hide, these "modern" coracles will have a polyester fabric cover stretched over a woven willow frame. These are simple, super lightweight (under…

Create the traditional paddle used by Northwoods travelers for hundreds of years. In this course, a North House classic, students will learn about wood selection and wood grain considerations as well as paddle sizing and the theory of shape as applied to handles, shafts and blades. Choose from a variety…