Boatbuilding

Build-Your-Own-Boat Classes - NEW SERIES!

All classes run Monday through Saturday. Kits and instruction are provided by Chesapeake Light Craft. During the class, a professional boat builder will help you with every step as you complete assembly of a small wooden boat. You’ll sand and finish the boat at home.

Build Your Own Annapolis Wherry - Museum of Yachting
$1,999 (Kit Cost: $1,199, Instruction: $800)

This performance rowing wherry is modeled on the elegant Thames wherries of the 19th century. Fitted with a sliding seat, you’ll cover the miles at high speed even in choppy water for a low-impact workout. More than 800 of these beautiful lapstrake wherries have been built around the world.
Mon.-Sat., Jun. 1-6; 8am – 4pm

 Register Online >

Build Your Own Ultralight Canoe - Restoration Hall
$1,625 (Kit Cost: $825, Instruction: $800)

“Pack canoes” of the Adirondacks may be the most useful boats ever devised. Walk down to the water with your 26-pound Sassafras 12 canoe in one hand, your paddle and fishing rod in the other. The lapstrake Sassafras 12 is fun to build, lovely to look at, and easy to use.
Mon.-Sat., Jun. 8-13; 8am-4pm

Register Online > 

Build Your Own Stand-Up Paddleboard - Restoration Hall
$1,549 (Kit Cost: $749, Instruction: $800)

The Kaholo stand-up paddleboard is fast enough to win races, stable enough for beginners, and better-looking than anything in the stand-up paddleboard world. Build and customize your own 28-pound board and learn how to walk on water with a stand-up paddleboard.
Mon.-Sat., Jun. 15-20; 8am-4pm

Register Online >

Build Your Own Wood Duck Kayak – Restoration Hall
Wood Duck 10 - $1,599 (Kit Cost: $799, Instruction: $800)
Wood Duck 12 - $1,649 (Kit Cost: $849, Instruction: $800)

Chesapeake Light Craft has been working day and night to fill orders for these ultralight recreational kayaks. They look great, with handsome proportions, a dark sapele deck, and a clear finish. Build a 10- or 12-footer of your own with Wood Duck designer Eric Schade.
Mon.-Sat., Jun. 22-27; 8am-4pm

Register Online > 

Build Your Own Mill Creek Kayak - Museum of Yachting
$1,675 (Kit Cost: $875, Instruction: $800)

Since the design appeared in WoodenBoat Magazine more than a decade ago, thousands of these 1930’s-style decked canoes have been built around the world. The looks are classic, the wood-epoxy construction is thoroughly modern. You’ll have your own 13-footer at the end of the week.
Mon.-Sat., Jun. 29–Jul. 4; 8am-4pm

Register Online > 

Family Week! Build Your Own Eastport Pram – Museum of Yachting
Rowing - $1,679 (Kit Cost: $879, Instruction: $800)
Sailing - $2,478 (Kit Cost: $1,678, Instruction: $800)

In a program specially designed for families and parent-child teams, build your own 8-foot sailing dinghy! One of the most popular small tenders in the world, the Eastport Pram looks great, rows great, tows great, and sails better than an Optimist, even with adults aboard.
Mon.-Sat., Jul. 13-18; 8am-4pm

Register Online > 

Build Your Own Remote Control Sailing Model - Restoration Hall
$1,299 (Kit Cost: $499, Instruction: $800)

Large fleets of these excellent 48-inch long sailing models have been built over the past few years. Construction is straightforward and you’ll launch and race your remote-control pond yacht at the end of the week. Year-round fun for adults AND kids! Inexpensive control units will be available for purchase during the class.
Mon.-Sat., Jul. 20-25; 8am-4pm

Register Online > 

Build Your Own Lapstrake Dory – Restoration Hall
Rowing - $2,050 (Kit Cost: $1,250, Instruction: $800)
Sailing - $3,149 (Kit Cost: $2,349, Instruction: $800)

Graceful round-sided lapstrake dories like this 17-footer were once the primary recreational craft on the New England coast. You’ll assemble a faithful reproduction in just a week, using plywood and epoxy. Capacity is three adults, and you can add a sailing rig after the class if you choose.
Mon.-Sat., Jul.27-Aug.1; 8am-4pm

 Register Online >

Build Your Own “Peeler” Power Skiff - Restoration Hall
$1,999 (Kit Cost: $1,199, Instruction: $800)

This 11’6” skiff will plane with a small outboard, and it’s perfect for fishing, crabbing, or just knocking around the harbor. Built from plywood and sheathed in fiberglass, your lightweight skiff will last a lifetime. On the Chesapeake, a “Peeler” is a molting crab.
Mon.-Sat., Aug. 10-15; 8am-4pm

Register Online > 

Build Your Own Ganymede Kayak - Restoration Hall
$1,599 (Kit Cost: $799, Instruction: $800)

Kayak building master Nick Schade walks you through construction of your own stitch-and-glue recreational kayak. Ganymede is an elegantly simple kayak----an ideal first-build as well as a fun kayak suitable for a casual paddler who wants a classy small kayak.
Mon.-Sat., Aug.17-22; 8am-4pm

 Register Online >

Build Your Own Passagemaker Dinghy – Museum of Yachting
Rowing - $1,975 (Kit Cost: $1,175, Instruction: $800)
Sailing - $2,974 (Kit Cost: $2,174, Instruction: $800)

Chesapeake Light Craft’s Passagemaker design is a Norwegian-style lapstrake pram, optimized for carrying big loads and for sailing and rowing well. This 11’7” tender is ideal as a family daysailer or as a dinghy for a larger mothership. A take-apart option is available for a dinghy that stows in a smaller space.
Mon.-Sat., Aug. 24-29; 8am-4pm

Register Online >