Boatbuilding Classes
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Build Your Own Stitch-and-Glue Kayak (Shearwater or Wood Duck)

Location: Chesapeake Light Craft - Annapolis, Maryland
Dates: Monday, April 14, 2025 - Saturday, April 19, 2025

This Class in Annapolis is offered by the WoodenBoat School; please register online. Inquiries only to 207-359-4651 or [email protected].

Instructor: Andrew Schroeher

Register through the WoodenBoat School

Call 207-359-4651 for inquiries.

Tuition & Materials:

Student Tuition: $950
Each additional student: $450
Materials (choose one):

Shearwater 16: $1631
Shearwater 17: $1631
Shearwater Sport: $1631
Wood Duck 10: $1451
Wood Duck 12: $1451
Wood Duck 14: $1617
Wood Duck Double: $1765

Other Considerations:

Details:

Shearwater Sport - Build Your Own Boat in One Week

Passagemaker Dinghy - Build Your Own Boat

In this 6-day class you will build your own Shearwater 14, 16, 17, Sport, Sectional Sport, or Shearwater Double kayak from a Chesapeake Light Craft kit. Additional options include the Wood Duck 10, 12, 14, and Wood Duck Double

Starting with pre-cut plywood parts, we will assemble the hull and deck of the kayak using copper wires and epoxy glue. We will then cut hatches, fiberglass the boat and install the cockpit coaming. During construction, we will discuss outfitting the boat with seats, footbraces, hatch fittings, and deck rigging. After the class, your boat will be ready to sand and paint or varnish.

Andrew Schroeher
Instructor

One of the most popular kayaks CLC has ever offered, the Shearwater is an elegant, performance-oriented touring kayak. The "tumble home" sheer panel reduces windage and improves paddle clearance. The Shearwater features CLC's trademark cambered deck. The West Greenland style hard-chined hull has naturally easy and controllable handling for the skilled paddler and comfortable stability for the newer paddlers. The hull shape ensures good tracking even in windy and rough conditions.

Compact, easy-to-launch boats just seem to get used the most. In a tenth of the time it takes to launch a heavy boat on a trailer or drag the big canoe down the lawn, you can slide one of these little kayaks into the water and be on your way. Keep your Wood Duck on top of the car, ready to toss into all the interesting creeks in your county. CLC commissioned Eric to draw and prototype the Wood Duck line to our specifications. Eric had a huge hit with his Shearwater kayak designs, also designed for CLC as fast sea kayaks. We think he has another huge hit on his hands with these fun, good-looking recreational kayaks that anyone from age 8 to age 80 can enjoy on the water.

The deck is cut from "Sapele" mahogany plywood for extra good looks and natural contrast with the Okoume hull and sheer panel.

Wood Duck - Build Your Own Boat in One Week

Wood Duck 14 Recreational Kayak - Build Your Own Boat

The clean lines of the Shearwater make it one of the "sexiest" kayaks on the market, while the recreational Wood Duck line offers comfort, stability, and excellent performance in a visually pleasing form.

Chesapeake Light Craft has been manufacturing stitch-and-glue kayak kits since 1993. CLC’s many designs emphasize easy construction combined with good looks and uncompromised performance. By using the stitch-and-glue method, each student will build a kayak without the complication of frames, molds, or a strongback.

Note: Boat kits for classes are specially prepared at CLC and delivered directly to the classroom. These kits include essential supplies and may have certain parts pre-assembled. Because of the particular nature of these kits, discounts and other promotions do not apply.