Basic Boating as a College Course

I am pleased to report that I will be teaching boat building this summer at Concordia University through the office of Continuing Education. The registration details and numbers are posted below. The nice part is that it will be offered during the first half of the summer session. You will have time to take it out on the water!

One need not have any special skills or background to build a stitch and glue boat. The entire approach is geared for beginners. You will have completed a nice little 8 foot pram or dinghy by the end of the course. Feel free to bring a friend with you to help get things done. It's more fun that way!

My friend Rachel helped me with The Prodigal. We had a great time time. You can see this boat (and Rachel too) throughout this blog

After you finish, you will need to take your boat home. You could put it on a car top if you get a roof rack or borrow a pick up truck. It is small enough to fit in back. You will need to paint (or varnish) it, and install hardware such as oarlocks. That's about it it. You will want to purchase oars and a life vest or two. The state of Minnesota does not require licensing for boats this size.

This is a great bargain. Another builder charges $750.00 for tuition and $1000.00 for materials and supplies.

Registration Information

Go to website http://csp.reachlocal.com/?scid=1756224&kw=2088906:25675&pub_cr_id=5641980151 and then click on "continuing education" found at the bottom of the page. click on "search for classes." Course code: FNA 213, Place: room 131 Theatre scene shop, Time: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6PM til 10PM beginning 5/29/12 and ending 6/28/12. Tuition will be $690 if you want college credit or just $250.00 for no credit. An additional lab fee of $150.00 (cash) is due on the first day in order to cover the cost of materials. You can click through on line registration after that.

This is the design to be built

This boat is actually a little shorter than eight feet. The lab fee will cover all the materials needed to build with 1/4" marine grade fir plywood, fir seats, and misc trim. If you desire more expensive materials there will be an extra charge when you place your order.There will be some differences between the project and this picture. For the most part there will be less trim on the class project. The hull shape will be improved. All wood surfaces will be glued and sealed with clear epoxy. The joints will be reinforced with fiberglass. With a little care, the completed boat should last indefinitely. For more details, check back earlier in this blog: The Build.

Sealing the wood with epoxy

For a short boat, it rows easily, handles well in the roughest chop, and can be outfitted with a trolling motor or regular short shaft outboard.

Class size will be limited to just 6. Make sure to register early to get in. For more information, please contact me (Jim): seemann@csp.edu