Course Intake for 2026 is open!
HALF MODEL & LOFTING COURSE
Come and join us for a traditional boat design course. Learn to make a half model and how to turn this into a proper lofting plan to build your own boat.
Introduction to Boat Design
We’ll start with an introduction to boat design by renowned champion yachtsman and Australian Wooden Boat Festival founder Ian Johston. He’ll tell you all about his endeavours and what you need to know to make a (race winning) boat design.
The Half Model
After learning all you need to know about the importance of stability and bouncy, we will give you the tools and materials to make your own half model. No CAD programs or computers here, we will go back to the traditional craft and shape our half model with wood and hand tools. You get to take your own half model home at the end of the course.
The Lofting Process
The next step is the lofting. Traditionally done in large, open upper floors called the loft, we will instead take up the upper workshop for a couple of days and make the all important full size drawing based on one of the half models we just created.
We’ll set up a grid with baseline and waterlines and transfer the measurements of our half model on the lofting board. We’ll plot the curves of the sheer and buttocks using flexible battens and nails and make a life size visualisation which will allow boat builders to lift the precise and correct measurements for all parts for the the later construction.
Key Skills You'll Learn:
Essentials of Boat Design
Working safely with hand tools - using draw knives and spoke shaves and making your own half model.
Transferring the measurements of a half model into a full size lofting plan.
You will be working in a dynamic workshop with multiple projects going on around you and we hope you will embrace the friendship and atmosphere of this very special place. There will be boats being built, restoration projects on the go and all sorts of other activities. We love to see new people come into the workshop and welcome all skill levels, all genders and ages 18 to 180.
If there was ever a place where you could come to join in and be part of a community of like-minded people who simply love wood, love wooden boats and want to preserve traditional skills, this is it.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Half Model Course
Dates: Thursday 19th of February.
The course will run from Thursday the 19th of February for four days up to and including Tuesday the 24th of February (excluding the weekend).
This partial course is spent creating your own half model. Day one will be spent with Ian Johnston and the following three days will be spent creating your half model of traditional Tasmanian timbers. At the end of the course you will be able to take your own half model home.
Course Fee: $1,050
The Lofting Course
Dates: Wednesday the 25th of February
The course will run from Wednesday the 25h of February for three days up to and including Friday the 17th of February. This partial course is purely focused on the lofting process. Three days in which we will take the measurements of a half model and expand these to a full size drawing, ready for construction.
Course Fee: $750
The Full Package: Half Model & Lofting Course
Dates: Thursday 19th of February.
The course will run from Thursday the 19th of February for seven days up to and including Friday the 27th of February (excluding weekends).
This combined course will include Ian Johnston’s talk, the half model creation and the lofting process. You get to take your own created half model home at the end of the course.
Course Fee: $1,600
GENERAL INFORMATION
Experience level: No experience required
Participants: Four spots available
Course Details: The course consists of full days, starts at 8:30am and we take a morning and afternoon break and stop for lunch.
We’re planning to run this course in the second half of 2026 as well, depending on interest. Please inquire below.