yacht design

In the Yacht Design program, you’ll obtain the knowledge and skills that will enable you to craft some of the finest boats in the world.

Marine Systems

Marine Systems is the lifeblood of our industry. In this program, you will learn how to work on all the critical systems that keep vessels of all types operating.

wooden boatbuilding

Students learn a combination of traditional and modern wooden boatbuilding techniques while building a wooden boat from start to finish.

Composites

Learn to design and build with composites like fiberglass and carbon fiber—skills that launch careers in modern boatbuilding.

9-month diplomas (September - May)

Associate of Applied Science in Marine Industry Technology available

Scholarships Available

Founded in 1978, The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design is the oldest operating school of its type in the U.S. and the first to be accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Fill out the form below or call us at 207-985-7976 to learn more about our programs.

Students in the Yacht Design program learn to combine form, layout, and materials to create boats (racing, cruising, power, commercial, sailing) that are efficient, cost effective, and aesthetically pleasing.

You will develop knowledge and skills through project-based learning, including daily lectures, assignments, and design studio time. You will begin by learning standard drawing practices in 2D then quickly transition to modeling using the CAD program Rhino3D.

Throughout the program, you will spend your time preparing preliminary designs for safe and practical small craft. The four major projects include a 38’ powerboat, a 40’ sailboat, a 65’ pilot boat, and a final project boat of your choice.

At the end of the program, you will have a digital portfolio that demonstrates your skills and experience to prospective employers.

Study subjects include:

CAD & 3D Modeling
Drawing Plans
Resistance & Propulsion
Ergonomics & Aesthetics
Marine Systems
Materials & Fabrication
Overall Layout & Structural Design
Engineering Principles
Stability & Hydrostatics

The Marine Systems program teaches marine industry principles used worldwide to keep vessels of all types operating properly.

You will start with the basics of mechanical fastenings and hand tools, developing hand skills in assembling and disassembling equipment. Through lectures and labs, you will gain an integrated knowledge of propulsion, composite construction and repair, electrical theory, wiring, pumps, and plumbing. By the end of the program, you will be able to service, troubleshoot, and install marine equipment with confidence.

At the end of the year, the Marine Systems program shifts into boatyard mode. You will use your newly developed skills to work on customer boats under experienced instructor supervision.

Some examples of projects undertaken by students include outboard and inboard repowers, electrical rewiring, navigation electronics upgrades, composite repair, rigging, and general vessel service, including outboard and inboard services and winterizations.

Study subjects include:

AC & DC Electrical
Composite Repair
Diesel & Gasoline Engines
Marine Plumbing
Propulsion
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Steering & Controls
Professional Shop Methods & Tools

The Wooden Boatbuilding program teaches you to build wooden boats from scratch, producing functional art from plans developed by boat designers. Coursework combines formal instruction with hands-on learning.

Students begin the year by learning how to safely use all of the woodworking tools and machinery necessary to construct a boat. Students work together to learn quality and efficiency at every stage of boat construction – lofting, setup, planking, joinery, spar making, rigging, and finish work. At the end of the program, your work will be put to the ultimate real-world test – a sea trial.

Boat projects are selected to teach both traditional and modern boatbuilding techniques. Past builds include the Jericho Bay lobster skiff, the Town Class sloop, and peapods.

Study subjects include:

Modern Boatbuilding Techniques:
Cold Molding
Vacuum Bagging
Laminating

Traditional Boatbuilding Techniques:
Planking
Steam Bending

Professional Shop Practices
Modern & Traditional Tool Training
Marine Finishes

The Composite Boatbuilding program provides a broad education in the rapidly evolving field of composite manufacturing. Students learn how modern composite materials and construction processes are used to create boats of varying sizes in today’s commercial boatbuilding industry. The courses are taught through lectures, labs, field trips, the fabrication of composite parts, and the construction of one or more composite boats.

Students study the strength, stiffness and structural mechanics of materials commonly used in composite manufacturing, so they are knowledgeable about the range of choices available to today’s boat builders. Students are provided instruction in fabrication techniques using those materials, from hand layup to vacuum-infusion and prepreg part-making in both open- and closed-molding environments. In the lab-based segment of the curriculum, students work on the fabrication of composite parts. Students construct one or more plugs, molds and parts, starting with the lofting process and including fairing and finishing.

Equipment such as plural and single component spray equipment, vacuum bagging, resin infusion, and wood working machinery are used. Throughout the school year, students examine the effects of the various composite materials on the production methods, assess structural strengths firsthand, and witness how the choice of materials interfaces with the design and production of a boat.

Study Subjects Include:

Composite Shop Practices

Drawings, Documentation, and Office Tools

Composite Materials Fundamentals

Composites Tooling

Composite Fabrication

Engineering Basics

Composites Fabrication and Repair Techniques

Problem Solving, Process, and Quality Control

CAD & CNC

Product Construction