F/T Program

240 Large Craft Construction, Part II

Course info

420 Clock hours, 25.0 quarter-credits

This course, in conjunction with other courses, is part of a complete degree program. At the discretion of the school and instructor students not enrolled in a degree program may be admitted to any full-time course. However, without the stated prerequisites demonstration of adequate knowledge and skills is required.

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Course details

Start date:	04/04/2011
Course dates:	April 4-June 17
Course days:	Monday - Friday
Course times:	8am - 5pm
Term:	Spring
Length:	3 months
Class limit:	24
Tuition:	Based on degree program selected View current tuition scale for Degree Programs
Tools/Materials:
Materials cost:
Skill level:	See prerequisites
Location:	NWSWB Port Hadlock Heritage Campus
Instructor(s):

Prerequisite(s)

100 - Basic Skills for Boatbuilders
210 - Large Vessel Construction, Part I

Education goal

This comprehensive course will train you to build a variety of traditionally constructed large vessels of the type that include fishing boats, tugs, cruising yachts and motorboats.

Description

In this course you will take part in the construction of an approximately 25 to 35 foot vessel that incorporates a major backbone and is often carvel-planked. Designs selected for construction vary from year to year but typically include such features as ballast keels, built-up backbones, decks, cabins, engines and spars.

Careful lofting is required before construction begins, and often involves developing specific lines to determine the shape of the bearding line, clamp taper, deck crown and transom. This is where your earlier work on the loft floor really pays off. As you develop and lift from the lofting floor the many shapes that describe the hull and deck components you will appreciate how complicated boats can be built and assembled by many different workers. This is essential training for your future employment as a boatbuilder.

The backbones of large vessels are often made up of multiple timbers scarfed and bolted together. Dressing each piece for a perfect fit will draw on woodworking skills honed during your earlier work at the bench projects. You will be taught how to rigorously maintain an absolutely plumb center-line as you assemble the many parts of the backbone into the structure that will support all ensuing work.

For vessels with bent frames rather than sawn, molds are set up along the backbone establishing the shape of the hull, around which the ribbands and bilge stringers are bent. Pockets are chiseled into the backbone to receive the ends of the frames, which are then steamed, bent into position and clamped.

Lining off and planking follows during which processes you will learn how to determine and plane the edge bevels to get tight uniform seams important to a dry boat.

You will learn to construct decks, including laid, sprung, canvas covered and epoxied plywood. The deck structures on vessels of this type are often complex and utilize blocking, lodging and hanging knees and tie rods. A deck with fair curves both athwartship and fore and aft requires considerable planning and layout.

Your course will include cabins and basic interior structures, such as bulk-heads, cabin soles and simple cabin furniture. Hatches, cockpits, and sky-lights are covered in detail.

Finally, instruction in spar making, preparations for rigging, boring for shafts and building engine beds, constructing rudders and painting and varnishing will round out the course.

Course outline

Additional resources

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Special instructions

For further information contact

Student Services Administrator
(360) 385-4948
courses@nwboatschool.org