I have been teaching traditional boatbuilding techniques since the 1990s. My courses have included lofting, half model making, hand tool skills, power tool safety, oar and paddle making, and sharpening. In recent years I have added a course in Japanese plane making. These classes run over a two-to-three day period. I have taught short-term workshops across the United States and in Japan at craft schools, museums, and boatbuilding schools.

View upcoming courses

Some example class topics and what is covered:

Lofting — two-to-five days
I show students how to interpret a boat drawing and, working from a table of offsets, we loft two to three boats, drawing them full-size. I show students how to loft the stem rabbet and transom expansion, and how to translate the lines into working molds.

Hand Tool Use — two-to-three days
Students are introduced to a variety of hand tools, from spokeshaves, drawknives, planes, and chisels, using them to craft oars or paddles. I also cover sharpening techniques.

Japanese Hand Plane — two days
Students build a kanna, or Japanese hand plane, from a block of white oak. I teach the geometry, care, and use of these legendary tools, and focus on learning how to sharpen using Japanese waterstones.