Duckworks Boatshop Takeover
Boatshop Build Workshops
March 4-29, 2024 last day to register is February 19
9 AM – 5 PM | Per week: $529 member, $579 non-member | Or per month: $1749 member, $1849 non-member
Duckworks, the fine folks that brought you the Scamp, Scout, and Portage Pram, are taking over the shop and opening up the space for you, the builder. This is an open platform workshop that allows you to choose what you want to build from Duckworks' catalog while receiving professional guidance from the Boatshop Manager, Joel Arrington.
Duckworks Boat Builders Supply is a small family business that has been helping boat builders (and others) with their needs for more than 20 years. Whether you're starting from scratch or simply need new hardware, line, or other gear for an existing boat—Duckworks can help. They have boat plans from over 36 designers (and counting), from the smallest dinghy to ocean-going vessels. They can also help you with epoxy, fiberglass, paint, marine hardware, rope, tools and countless other gear. This is an enthusiast-run company—they’re out there messing about in boats, just like you! As a result, they offer proprietary designs and products.
Book by the week or join in for the whole month! Students will have the opportunity to book the time they need to complete the project they choose. Interested in joining the fun but need more help deciding what to build? Give us a call and we will help nail down the perfect project for you. To order your kit, visit the Duckworks website, but be sure to contact our registrar for your exclusive NWMC takeover coupon code first!
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Duckworks Scout 14 Founders Build
Boatshop Build Workshops
April 15-19, April 22-26, 2024 last day to register is March 15
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $4499 member, $4649 non-member
Have you heard of the Super Scout? Probably not, as it is yet to be launched as the newest kit offering from our good friends at Duckworks. At 14', the boat sails like a dream, rows without effort, and—at 80 pounds—you are going to have a hard time coming up with an excuse not to build this dream of a vessel. The Scout is the brain-child of Port Townsend locals Brandon Davis of Turnpoint Design and Josh Colvin of Small Craft Advisor. This new design gives the builder a fast, efficient, and ultra-light vessel that the whole family can enjoy.
Using the stitch-and-glue build technique, the boat is built using marine-ply and closed-cell foam parts that are precision cut on a CNC machine. We have also added a foam core deck, gunnel, and transom that trims weight and adds durability. This is a turn-key build; the kit includes all the materials needed to complete the build, the daggerboard and rudder kits, all hardware to rig the boat, as well as mast and sail. Don’t miss this special opportunity to be the first to build and own this great vessel!
This class includes tuition, kit and shipping and takes place over 2 consecutive weeks, Monday to Friday each week. The last day to register for this class is March 15th, so that we have time to order and receive the kits.
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Family Boatbuilding: The Portage Pram
Boatshop Build Workshops
August 27 – September 1, 2024 last day to register is August 1
9 AM – 4 PM | Sailing version (includes tuition): $2799 member, $2899 non-member | Rowing-only version (includes tuition): $1799 member, $1899 non-member
Whether it's built with the family or for the family, the Portage Pram is a fantastic craft that is fit for all ages. Originally purpose-built as a tender, this little dinghy makes a great platform to learn both the foundations of rowing and sailing in a sturdy ultra-lightweight platform.
The 35-pound, 6' 10" Portage Pram is a stable and comfortable tender that tracks beautifully while rowing. The special seat shape and multiple oarlock positions allow for a variety of seating and trim options. The CNC kit includes all of the wooden pieces you need, fit with tabs and pockets that make assembly and construction simple and virtually tool-less. It's a stitch-and-glue build, utilizing mostly zip ties and epoxy.
The Portage Pram is an excellent choice for a first-time builder and a great way to introduce kids to boatbuilding, rowing, and sailing. The class will include everything the builder needs to work through and complete all structural aspects of the build. We will also be offering a tutorial during the class that will show all the steps required for the builder to complete finish work once they get the boat home.
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Leatherwork
Saturday Summer Series
August 3, 2024 last day to register is August 2
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $89 member, $99 non-member
Spend the day spiffing up your oars in this hands-on leather stitching class. Sewn-on oar leathers are a simple and elegant way to protect fine wooden oars from chafing in their oarlocks. Join instructor Katelyn Kean to learn various stitching techniques, materials, and a brief history of leather work within the maritime trades. Participants can wrap their own oars or practice stitching skills on a sample project. Each participant will leave with an example of their work and resources for continuing the craft at home!
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Outboards: Maintenance, Care, and Troubleshooting
Weekend Workshop
May 4, 2024 last day to register is May 1
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $89 member, $99 non-member
We've all been there—stranded. Whether at the dock or halfway across the Strait, there is never a good time to experience outboard troubles. In this Saturday intensive, we will break down and demonstrate all the proper steps one can take to make sure that their outboard motor is in prime working order all season long. The class will be divided into four main topics: The Anatomy of an Outboard, Basic Start-Up and Operation, Troubleshooting, and Proper Winterization and Storage. Each topic will be covered with live hands-on demonstration, both in the shop and on the water. This is an opportunity to utilize years of experience to ensure you have the right tools and knowledge to make the most out of your time on the water.
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Paddles, Oars, Spars, and More
Weekend Workshop
September 28- October 1, 2024 last day to register is September 20
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $459 member, $499 non-member
A crash course in how to make a square piece of wood round. This four-day course will walk you through the process of laying out and shaping spars, paddles, and oars. Students will receive demonstrations in both traditional and more contemporary building techniques while utilizing a number of hand and power tools. Students will have the choice of building a set of oars, a pair of paddles, or a small solid spar to take home, and will also get to build their own set of spar gauges to continue mastering the craft at home. Students in the class will also learn birdsmouth construction of a small mast that will be utilized as part of the Northwest Maritime Center's fleet.
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Sharpening
Saturday Summer Series
July 6, 2024 last day to register is July 5
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $89 member, $99 non-member
Keeping edge tools sharp and well-honed always makes work easier and more enjoyable. In this class, students will learn the ins and outs of keeping edge tools ready for the next project. We'll cover techniques for chisels, gouges, planes, scrapers, and western saws. Students will learn the sharpening processes—both by hand as well as electrically assisted. Feel free to bring tools of your own to practice on. Everyone who attends the class will get a whetstone to take home and keep.
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Saturday Summer Series
July 13, 2024 last day to register is July 12
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $89 member, $99 non-member
In this one-day workshop, we will cover the basics of operation for the tablesaw, jointer, planer, drill press, and bandsaw. These are all tools commonly found in a shop, and we will demonstrate the proper use and function for all. Besides operation, we will also cover the processes and procedures for proper care, tuning, and troubleshooting of each machine. Students will get to work hands-on with the machines and have all their questions answered. Bonus content: If you've ever wondered how a SawStop tablesaw mechanism works, here's your chance to find out as we intentionally trigger the SawStop mechanism as part of the workshop!
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Steam Bending
Saturday Summer Series
July 20, 2024 last day to register is July 19
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $89 member, $99 non-member
Steam bending is a fun, efficient process that has been utilized in the construction of boats for generations. In this workshop, we will break down the process so that it is easily repeatable for the student to implement at home. Gain a real-world lesson in biology and chemistry as we talk plant structure and how the steaming process helps the builder tie wood into a knot. We'll also demonstrate processes that utilize the steam maker, steam chamber, jigs, clamps, forms, and compression straps. At the end of the class, students will take home a new skill and hopefully a couple souvenirs.
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Weekend Workshop
August 15-19, 2024 last day to register is August 8
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $499 member, $549 non-member
This extended weekend open shop platform serves as an introduction to wooden boat joinery. Whether aesthetic, structural, or both—all the parts of a wooden boat fit together in a purposeful way. In this course, we aim to introduce the purpose and show the student how all the parts of a wooden boat fit together through traditional joinery. Students will develop skills using hand and power tools, through demonstrations and guided projects, and will receive an in-depth tutorial on tool care and shop safety. Students are encouraged to bring their tool kit with them, but they also are welcome to utilize all the tool resources the shop has to offer. Upon completion of the course, participants will have a beautiful mallet and bevel gauge to take home as well as a new set of skills to hone.
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Saturday Summer Series
June 29, 2024 last day to register is June 28
9 AM – 5 PM | Tuition Cost: $89 member, $99 non-member
Take a deep dive into the tool bag of a shipwright and see the variety of tools that have evolved over centuries of boatbuilding. This is a great opportunity to put your hands on tools, learn new skills, and get all your questions answered. We'll be talking corking, measuring, gauging, planing, patterning, and so much more. Starting out with a broad lecture style introduction, we'll then move into Q&A and finish with lots of hands-on opportunities!
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