This website is a record of a course that I attended at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis between September 2007 and June 2008. The course has finished and this website is now static.
If you have the time and inclination you can follow the course chronologically starting with Term has Started and finishing with Under Sail at Crinan Classics. Alternatively, just dip-in and sample my writing (and pictures) by selecting one of the ‘Recent Posts’ listed on the right.
While on the course I learnt, from scratch, how to build boats.
We started with scarf joints in week 1.
During the course I developed the skills to build a traditionally constructed boat. The boat that I chose to build was a Maine Peapod. It was exhibited at Beale Park wooden boat show in June 2008 where I received some good feedback. Press coverage included write ups in The Daily Telegraph, In the Boatshed and Classic Boat (August ’08).
With a few more weeks work in my garage I completed the foils and rig to develop her into a sailing boat seen here sailed by Rachel, Sophie (helming) and Georgina on Derwent Water in August 2008.
I am now back in Edinburgh and am busy working as a freelance boatbuilder – using wood.
You can follow my commercial adventures as a boatbuilder on my website www.marinecarpentry.com.
I really enjoyed reading your blog one day when I was dreaming of doing something like this, as I worked some green oak while making a porch for the house. I so enjoyed the oak, and the grain shown and brought out by Tonkenois oil varnish.
I congratulate you on the boat and having the step by step pictures and your relaxed description of the course made the whole appear a delightful year.
Well Done
Robin