Courses run on a rolling schedule and all courses are open for expressions of interest. If you don’t see a date on the course below please contact us for more information.
Multi day
Haven 12 ½ Carvel Sailing Dinghy
Do you want the chance to gain some skills and experience working on a unique Tasmanian timber carvel-planked sailing dinghy?
We have opportunities for one, two or three day participation in traditional boat building and timber work skills.
Lashed Canoe Frames for Ornamental/Light Features
Create a unique piece of art with Tasmanian timber. Learn how to build one of these beautiful canoe frames, from small scale to full size models as a display piece for your home. They look fantastic suspended and lit or mounted on a wall. Take home a stunning handmade artwork!
The course covers three days and uses the building principles of a traditional Canadian skin-on-frame boat construction. All materials supplied.
We can also offer kayak or dinghy frames. Prices will vary depending on the frame type and type of timber used.
Not enough time to come and learn yourself?
Ask us about commission pieces.
Course Costs $1,750.00
Contact us now to enquire about learning how to build one - Next course January 2024
Oar, Paddle & Spar Course
Learn the technique of oar, paddle or spar construction whilst making a set of your own. Oars, paddles and spars are to be made from selected timbers of varied lengths and customised to your preference and specifications.
3 Days - $1,300.00
Next Course: February 2024 - Enquire now
Week Courses
Lofting Course
Learn the art of lofting where we start to build a boat and convert a designer’s scale plans to full size and make patterns to build the boat.
All the information required to build a boat can be included in the lofting process.
This very rewarding and this course will enable you put your new skills into practice by building a half model based on those first principles.
Course Length: 1 Week
Cost: $1,500
NEXT COURSE 5th - 9th February 2024
ENQUIRE NOW
Marine Ply Canoe
This is a great course for parent and teenager or for you and a mate, with the finished canoe weighing only 15 kgs. Work together to build a boat to take home to finish. You even have time to make your own paddle(s). If you are a local, you could work on it over 3 weekends. All materials provided other than paint. This course runs on demand (with a few weeks’ notice to get the materials), so let us know when you would like to make one.
All materials and tools are provided and no previous wood-working experience necessary.
5-7 days (depending on size) or over 3 weekends
Cost
14’ Canoe $2,500
16’ Canoe $3,500
NEXT COURSES : MARCH & APRIL 2024
ENQUIRE NOW
This is a great school holiday project!
multi week
Skin on Frame Canoe
Can you imagine a lazy paddle on the tranquil Huon River or a quiet spin around a calm waterway in your own handmade canoe?
Join us to make a fully completed Skin on Frame Canoe. Construction of this vessel will introduce you to skin on frame building and hone your fine woodworking skills. Allow one extra day to build a custom timber paddle if required.
The course will finish on Saturday with a paddle on the Huon River.
Course Length: two weeks.
Tuition and materials: $5,500
Build your own Skin on Frame kayak to explore the hidden beauty in Tasmania’s lakes and rivers. The design is impressively lightweight and manoeuvrable, and makes portage a breeze.
The kayak will be built using a modern twist on tradition skin on frame techniques, with marine plywood frames and ballistic nylon covering. We use strong and lightweight timbers to build a remarkably robust frame, which will be illuminated in the sunlight through the semi-opaque skin.
Construction of this vessel will introduce you to skin on frame building and hone your fine woodworking skills. Allow one extra day to build a custom timber paddle if required.
Tuition and materials: $5,500
Whitehall Skin on Frame Dinghy
Based on a classic New York "Whitehall" in the Mystic Seaport collection, the Shenandoah Whitehall is far lighter, faster, easier, and less expensive to build in skin-on-frame.
Constructed in marine ply with Celery Top Pine stringers and plywood seating and skinned with extremely tough industrial weight nylon or polyester. with full floatation for safety. The Whitehall is easy for one person to carry and cartop. Weighs 27kgs.
Course Length: three weeks
Tuition and materials: $8,500
Enquire now about course dates
Adirondack Guide Boat
Students will build a beautiful lightweight 13’ plywood planked Adirondack Guide Boat in 5 weeks. The vessel will be highlighted with specialty Tasmanian timber features to add to the beauty of this traditional American design.
For the past 150 years Adirondack Guide Boats have been used for fishing, hunting, and trading. Today they are commonly used in the Adirondack Mountains in New York’s Lake Region, for rowing sport, being a light and comfortable craft that can be transported as a roof topper. They are pretty, light, and functional.
Course Length: five weeks
Tuition: $4,750
Enquire now about course dates
Clinker Dinghy Program
Build your own dinghy over 7 weeks. You will be guided through the entire process start to finish.