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

Location: Center for Wooden Boats - Seattle, WA
Dates: Monday, July 14, 2025 - Sunday, July 20, 2025

This Class in Seattle, WA, is offered by the Center for Wooden Boats; for registration and class inquiries, please call 206-382-2628 or email [email protected]

Registrations for this class are through the Center for Wooden Boats:
Call (206) 382-2628

All inquiries not about boat technical details to Center for Wooden Boats: (206) 382-2628

Instructor: Casey Wilkinson with Kea Kayaks

Tuition & Materials:

Student Tuition: $995 CWB members/$1125 non-members
Each additional student: $500

Materials (kits priced separately):

Shearwater 16: $1797
Shearwater 17: $1797
Shearwater Sport: $1797
Shearwater Double: $2502
Wood Duck 10: $1594
Wood Duck 12: $1594
Wood Duck 14: $1782
Wood Duck Double: $1950

Other Considerations:

Details:

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

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.

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.

We regret that it is not possible to build the "Hybrid" versions of the Shearwater or Wood Duck in this class. There's simply not enough time in a week to strip-plank a deck.

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.