Courses

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…

Enjoy the contrast of light and dark wooden strips, the quiet lapping of water on wood, and the pride of craftsmanship that stems from building your own cedar-strip boat. You'll be involved in the process from start to finish—cutting thin cedar planks and assembling an appealing pattern for your canoe…

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…

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…

In this class students will build one laminated paddle, similar to the fancy wooden paddles often seen in canoe outfitters shops. Not just show pieces, laminated paddles have several unique qualities that make them highly functional on the water. The lamination of several types of wood makes the shafts strong…

Join Wooden Boat Show Featured Instructor Douglas Brooks in this three day workshop to learn lofting, traditionally the first step in the boat building process. Lofting is an invaluable tool, since it allows the boat builder to correct any discrepancies in scaling to full size from a drawing and derive…

This course leads participants through the design and construction of a traditional Inuit kayak paddle. These paddles feature narrow blades that are well-balanced, lightweight and efficient. Students will learn about wood selection, wood grain considerations, paddle sizing and the theory of shape as applied to shafts and blades. Participants may…

This course is for individuals with a strong interest in creating a seaworthy craft with their own hands. The Inuit kayak from Greenland is a fast and responsive vessel designed for hunting but just as suitable for today’s more common recreational purposes. Students will design their craft to fit their…