Build Your Own Boat
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
$1,949 (Kit Cost: $1,199, Instruction: $750)
Museum of Yachting
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 7 - 12, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Build Your Own Wood Duck Kayak
Wood Duck 10 - $1,549 (Kit Cost: $799, Instruction: $750)
Wood Duck 12 - $1,599 (Kit Cost: $849, Instruction: $750)
Museum of Yachting
Chesapeake Light Craft has been working day and night to fill orders for these ultra light 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 14 - 19, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Family Week! Build Your Own Eastport Pram
Rowing - $1,629 (Kit Cost: $879, Instruction: $750)
Sailing - $2,428 (Kit Cost: $1,678, Instruction: $750)
Museum of Yachting
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., Jun 28 - Jul 3, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Build Your Own Northeast Lap Strake Dory
Rowing - $2,000 (Kit Cost: $1,250, Instruction: $750)
Sailing - $3,099 (Kit Cost: $2,349, Instruction: $750)
Museum of Yachting
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 5 - 10, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Build Your Own Ganymede Kayak
$1,549 (Kit Cost: $799, Instruction: $750)
Museum of Yachting
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., Jul 12 - 17, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Build Your Own Oxford Shell
$1,545 (Kit Cost: $795, Instruction: $750)
Museum of Yachting
The Oxford Shell™ is a swift, smooth running "recreational" shell suitable for all skill levels. The narrow hard-chine hull provides speed and good initial stability in a shape that's easy to build. Whether you're just learning how to row a sliding seat shell, or you're a seasoned expert looking for a handsome exercise boat, the Oxford Shell™ has the performance you want.
Mon. - Sat., Jul 19 - 24, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Build Your Own “Skerry”
Rowing - $2,000 (Kit Cost:$1,250, Instruction: $750)
Sailing - $2,975 (Kit Cost:$2,225, Instruction: $750)
Restoration Hall
Easy to build, easy to row, and easy to sail – the Skerry™ is a truly versatile boat, and a pretty one, too. The Skerry design combines elements of traditional working craft of the British Isles and Scandinavia, with a little bit of American Swampscott Dory thrown in. The blend of historical antecedents yields excellent performance under sail or oar, along with good looks and ease of construction in plywood.
Mon. - Sat., Jul 26 - 31, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Build Your Own Sassafras Canoe
$1,545 (Kit Cost: $795, Instruction: $750)
Restoration Hall
“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., Aug 2 - 7, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Build Your Own Shearwater Kayak
14 Foot - $1,629 (Kit Cost: $879, Instruction: $750)
16 & 17 Foot - $1,749 (Kit Cost: $999, Instruction: $750)
Museum of Yachting
The Shearwater is an eye-catching, light and fast cruiser that does many things well. Elegant lines result in real performance. The sweeping sheerline complements the nicely balanced ends; there isn't an awkward hump or bump anywhere. The sheer panels are "tumbled home" to reduce windage and improve paddle clearance. The decks are smoothly cambered, not cut up into a faceted, home-built appearance.
Mon. - Sat., Aug 9 - 14, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Build your own Kaholo Paddleboard
$1,499 (Kit Cost: $749, Instruction: $750)
Museum of Yachting
Why are Stand-Up Paddleboards all the rage? Because they're ridiculously fun--like walking on water. we've created a board with that rare quality of being fast enough to race but stable enough for first-timers. Tracking is great and a fine bow with kayak-derived shaping lifts the Kaholo up and over waves. The tail shape and twin fins facilitate surfing once your skills build up to
Mon. - Sat., Aug 16 - 21, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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To register for a one week boat building class please follow the "Register Now" links. Your registration; including payment and registration confirmation will be handled directly by Chesapeake Light Craft upon receipt of payment. If you need lodging while attending a class, IYRS will provide you with a list of lodging accommodations in the greater Newport, RI area. Click here to request lodging information.