Take this one-of-a-kind opportunity to build a custom-sized, traditionally built wooden lapstrake boat, originating in design and construction from the fjords and fishing villages of Norway and Sweden. Students will complete the Norse Pram, an inshore craft that makes an excellent tender or rowboat at the lake, and is often referred to as the “water wheelbarrow” of the fjords of Norway.

In consultation with the instructor, students build and design their own 10’ to 16’ pram using traditional materials including white spruce, white pine, black ash, oak and copper fastening to meet the intended uses for the boat. Students can choose between building a rowing pram and building a sailing pram at time of registration. Students building a sailing pram will stay for an additional three days of class at the end and will pay additional tuition. The pram is built using old-world, simple and honest construction techniques. Students will learn to ‘loft by eye,’ making it a great project for the first-time boat builder, who will walk away with a lifetime of skills, or experienced builders interested in this unique style of construction. In the traditional fashion, the boat will be finished with pine tar, linseed oil and turpentine.

Many hands make light work! To make this large project possible, students must recruit a group of assistants who journey to North House together to participate in the project (minimum group size 4, max 6). The tuition rate listed is per group, not per individual. This can be a great family project that will result in a lifetime of memories. That said, we know 12 days is a long time! There can be one primary builder and a rotating support team of assistant builders, but assistants should stay for a minimum of three days to make the work flow possible. This course can accommodate two pram-building teams. It will be a pram party!

The instructor will consult with each student six weeks prior to start of the course to assess materials needed for the intended boat to be built.

Cancellation Policy

Given the unique nature and small size of this course, separate tuition payment & cancellation policies apply to this course. The intent of these policies is to ensure that all students can be confident that the course will occur as planned once adequate enrollment is achieved. The full tuition payment is required at the time of registration. Until six weeks prior to the start of the course, all but a $50 fee is refundable should the student need to cancel. Within six weeks of the beginning of class, the tuition payment is non-refundable.