Building & Sailing Boats, August 27-30

Young people ages 10-17 will be introduced to woodworking, boatbuilding and sailing in this 4-day course encompassing a range of STEM focused skills and activities. Cooperation, teamwork, self-confidence, and independence will be gained as students learn to build and sail boats.  

Students will spend one part of the course in our woodshop learning basic woodworking skills such as measuring, sawing, planing, and sanding. They will learn about the parts of a sailboat and practice their woodworking skills while building an Optimist Pram sailboat that will be added to the HRMM sailing fleet. In the other part of their course, students will join US Sailing Certified instructors to learn the basics of sailing, the functions of various parts of a sailboat, steering the vessel, tacking and gybing safely, and capsize practice. Students will practice skipper and crew skills and will sail independently when they are ready to do so. 

On the fourth day, the entire group will launch a newly completed Optimist Pram with pride, knowing they have helped build this safe, beautiful, functional vessel which will be enjoyed by dozens of young people in future classes. This hands-on experiential STEM learning opportunity provides real life science lessons about buoyancy, weather, physics, geometry, weather, and leverage. 

Classes are available in your choice of ONE of two sessions. They are held rain or shine each day they are scheduled. We sail in light rain, but if thunderstorms threaten we stay ashore and learn sailing skills through "chalk talks," land-based games, hands-on activities, etc.

Dates: Tues.-Fri., Aug. 27-30
Morning Session: 9 AM – 3 PM
OR Afternoon Session: 11 AM - 5 PM
Instructor: Wayne Ford (woodworking); TBD (sailing)
Class size (max.): 7/8 per session in Woodworking; 15 total in Sailing
Skill level: basic 

Registration
Household Member & Above: $380**
Individual Member: $400**
General Public: $440
Register By: August 13

*Classes that do not meet the minimum attendance number may be cancelled or rescheduled. If so, you will receive a full refund or credit regardless of the cancellation date.

**We encourage students to become members (for as little as $30/year) to receive 10-15% off class tuition. You must be a current member on the date of registering to receive your discount. Please login to activate your member discount. To become a new member, please sign up here, or call 845-338-0071.

Instructor: Wayne Ford is a master woodworker and shipwright with extensive timber framing experience. His experience includes participating in the restoration of the sloop Woody Guthrie and the sloop Clearwater. He teaches a wide range of woodworking classes, YouthBoat boatbuilding, timber framing, and special project classes at the Wooden Boat School.