IYRS Student Projects

IYRS is more than home to the most advanced training in boat building. Because of our location, faculty, and facilities, we also are a center for many interesting boat building and restoration projects.

Feel free to explore the ones listed here, and contact us to arrange a visit to see the work being done first hand.

First Year: Boatbuilding & Restoration

Beetle Cats^®

The Beetle Company began building these charming catboats in 1921. In 1946, the Concordia Company purchased the molds from John Beetle and continued to build the boats. Today, Beetle, Inc. carries on building them in traditional wood construction. More than 3,000 have been launched. The Beetle Cat is the foundation of the first year of the IYRS Boatbuilding & Restoration program. LOA: 12' 4" Beam: 6'

Second Year: Boatbuilding & Restoration
Class of 2012

Maine Lobster Boat

Sally has all the lines and style of a traditional Maine-style, open lobster boat. Her hull, trim, bright transom, and finish make her a handsome little yacht. She is very functional too, for work or play. Built in 1941 by the Hodgdon Brothers, Boothbay, Maine, Sally was rebuilt in 1993 to her open launch configuration and used as a work boat. She is 26’. Her black hull and varnished trim are a stylish striking contrast.

Herreshoff Watch Hill 15

Nat designed three versions of these slippery fast and attractive one-designs: the Buzzard’s Bay 15, Newport 15, and the Watch Hill 15. In 1923, eleven Watch Hill 15s (24’ LOA; 6’8” beam) with marconi rigs were delivered to the Watch Hill Yacht Club. They are center-board sloops with oak frames and cedar planking, drawing under 2 ½’ with the board up. Those who have sailed these beautiful little yachts have characterized them as both thrilling and quick, go-fast machines. They have avid long-term owners and beautiful lines.

T/T Dorade

Dorade is the famous yawl designed by Olin Stephens that won the transatlantic race of 1930. Dorade was built at the Minneford Yacht Yard of City Island. This tender is a replica of Dorade’s original lapstrake dinghy. The length overall is 11’ with a beam of 4’3 1/2” and a depth of 2’.