Build Your Own Skin-On-Frame Canoe

Learn to build your very own skin-on-frame tandem canoe from veteran instructor Rich Cerruto over two consecutive long weekends. The canoe is constructed with a wooden frame and a stretched nylon "skin". Each student will leave with a completed canoe ready for the water. Easily car-topped, they are perfect for casual paddlers and beginning boat builders alike. The canoe is paddled with single-bladed paddles and features traditional raised seats that the students will construct from a kit, to include webbing. Don't miss out on the opportunity to build your own beautiful functional canoe.  

The canoe is 15’ long, 37" wide, 13" deep, weighs about 48 lbs. with a capacity of 450 lbs. and is suitable for the lakes and slow moving rivers prevalent in the Adirondacks and Hudson Valley. This class will use kits designed by Rich Cerruto based on methods developed by Hilary Russell, founder of the Berkshire Boat Building School and author of the book "Building Skin-on-Frame Double Paddle Canoes," modified by Rich for more comfortable seating and ergonomic paddling. All materials required are provided, including pre-cut lumber, nylon cloth, stem bands and seat kits.

This boat building class is designed for beginners, with no prerequisites required.

Dates: Fri.-Sun., May 17-19 & May 24-26
9 AM - 5 PM
Instructor: Rich Cerruto
Class size (max.): 4
Attendance (min.): 3*
Skill level: basic
Prerequisites: none

Registration
Household Member & Above: $775**
Individual Member: $815**
General Public: $895
Joint Instruction: $500***
Register By: April 19

Materials: $875 (price at checkout will include tuition and material cost)

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

***For an additional fee, students are welcomed to bring a second builder to the class. A joint instruction ticket must accompany someone taking the full instruction who purchases a materials kit. Select the "Joint Instruction" option when checking out.

Instructor: Rich Cerruto is a retired engineer and IT executive who teaches skin-on-frame boat building and paddle carving. An other area of focus is oval Shaker Boxes. He served as president of the Northeastern Woodworkers Association and currently serves as vice-president of its Mid-Hudson chapter.