Wooden Boat Building – Cruising Boats Option
Educational Objectives
The Cruising Boat option within the Wooden Boat Building Program instructs students in the construction of modern boats using wood as the principal material in conjunction with composite materials and resins. Please click here to view the complete course description in our academic catalog.
For more information about careers in Wooden Boat Building, please click here.
Career Options for Graduates
The curriculum prepares students to work with traditional or modern vessels. A graduate can assume a career as a boat builder, boat repairer, boat restoration professional, joiner or finishworker.
Watch this 4 minute Video About Cruising Boats Course
Curriculum
Students who select the Cruising Boat option are taught construction methods through formal lectures, field trips and hands-on projects. Students are divided into teams to build boats under the supervision of an instructor. These teams learn the comprehensive boat construction process from the loft floor all the way to the water with an eye toward quality and efficiency.
The course begins with lofting, or drawing, the parts of the boat and follows with mold-making and construction of the keel, stem and transom. The boat is then set up to form the specific hull shape to which the layers of planking are affixed.
The hull and deck are cold-molded using epoxy and a vacuum bag to ensure a high-quality laminate. Several different wood types and composite materials are incorporated into the boat based on structural and educational needs. Students then spend a substantial amount of time fairing the hull and deck to achieve an even, efficient surface.
A variety of modern, durable finishes are applied to the boat’s exterior and interior using varying techniques. Students also learn the basic components of electrical, mechanical, steering and propulsion systems that are installed on a small recreational boat.
Curriculum
The following modules are taught through lecture and lab work as part of the Cruising Boat option:
- CBB120 Lofting
- CBB121 Boat Set-up
- CBB123 Planking
- CBB124 Fairing
- CBB220 Interior Structure
- CBB221 Interior Joinerwork
- CBB222 Varnish and Paint
- CBB223 Systems for Wood Composite Boat Builders
Classroom Size
The maximum number of students enrolled at one time in the Cruising Boat Building Program is 18.
Diploma
A student who successfully completes all requirements of the Cruising Boats option within the Wooden Boat Building Program receives a Diploma in Boat Building.
Boat Building Projects
Instructors of The Landing School’s Wooden Boat Building Program select the designs for the project boats based on the depth of information and skill that students can gain from their construction. Some of the designs built by students in the past include:
The Landing School in the New Issue of Classic Yacht