Currently our courses are open for expressions of interest. If you don’t see a date on the course below please contact us for more information.
full week Plywood Canoe Making Course (5-7 Days)
Join us for a hands-on, unforgettable experience with our Plywood Canoe Building Course, running over 5 days (14’ single seat and one paddle) to 7 days (16’ two seats and two paddles). Whether you're a parent and teenager looking to spend quality time together, a couple seeking a creative adventure, or friends eager to build something extraordinary, this course is the perfect opportunity to connect and learn a traditional craft. You only pay per canoe, not number of participants!
In this immersive workshop, you'll craft a beautiful and functional canoe from marine plywood, using innovative techniques to create smooth, flowing curves that form a lightweight yet durable vessel. You also get the opportunity to play with Tasmania's finest timbers, including the renowned Huon Pine and King Billy Pine, famous for their strength, beauty, and natural flexibility, when making your own paddle. These materials ensure you will have a stunning and lasting creation.
Guided by our expert instructors, you'll learn traditional boat building skills with hand tools like saws, hand planes, and spokeshaves. The course covers every step of the process, from shaping and joining the components (including steam bending the ribs) to the final finishing touches, giving you a thorough understanding of what it takes to create a water-ready canoe.
The course runs from approximately 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day, with regular breaks to ensure you remain refreshed and engaged. Please note that some days may finish a little bit earlier or later, depending on the requirements of the day. Throughout the week, you’ll work closely with each other, learning together in a supportive and collaborative environment.
By the end of the course, you’ll have your own hand crafted canoe and paddle to take home, along with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment. This course offers a unique chance to create something meaningful while learning a timeless craft, making it a perfect bonding experience for parents and teens, couples, or friends.
Whether you're new to woodworking or an experienced craftsperson, you'll leave with both a beautifully built canoe and lasting memories of the time spent crafting it together.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Dates:
19th of January - Booked out
2nd of February - Booked out
16th of February - Booked out
2nd of March - Available for bookings
16th of March - Wait List Only! Please inquire below.
13th of April - Available for bookings
4th of May - Available for bookings
18th of May - Available for bookings
We can run this course on demand as well if you require weekends instead of weekdays. Please use the contact form and let us know which dates you are available. We are currently taking requests for March 2025 onward.
Course Fee: $2,500 for a 14’ Canoe (Single Seater) and $3,500 for a 16’ Canoe (Two Seater)
Participants: A maximum of two canoes per course and we recommend two participants per canoe. If you would like to build a course with the whole family (two adults, two kids), please let us know!
Experience level: No experience required. We welcome young builders aged 15 and up to join the course, provided they are accompanied by an adult. This ensures a safe and supportive environment for all participants. We look forward to seeing families, couples, and friends come together to share in this rewarding experience!
Course Details: The course starts at 10 am on the first day. The rest of the week is arranged depending requirements. Please note that although we aim to finish in five days, it may occur that an additional day is required to finish your canoe.
This course includes materials and instructions and at the end of the week you take your canoe and paddle(s) home. Please note that that paint and finish are not included, but our instructors are happy to advise and make recommendations.
Design: This full week course is set up for a plywood canoe, but our instructors can do a lot more: Strip Plank Kayaks, Skin-on-Frame or Canvas, reach out and we will tailor the course for you.
Give a week of hands-on CANOE Building!
Want to give something different? This course is perfect as a gift. To give your loved one a Canoe Building Course for two, go to our gift card page, select the custom amount and enter either $2,500 for the single-seater canoe or $3,500 for the two-seater canoe and follow the prompts. The recipient can reach out to us by phone or email and arrange a date for the course.
To purchase a gift card, follow the link: The Wooden Boat Centre Gift Card.