Our 2024 classes are posted!

We will post additional dates and locations below as they come together,
so be sure to check back often.

In the meantime, we want to hear what classes you are interested in taking.

Please fill out our 2024 Class Survey here.

Since 1994, CLC boatbuilding classes have launched almost 3000 boats and introduced countless men, women, and children to the joys of boatbuilding. Our talented professional instructors will help you assemble your own boat from start to finish. Most classes are 5-1/2 days. It's a perfect one-week vacation, and you'll take your own boat home, ready for finish work.  

In 2022 we ran more than 35 classes at sites in Maine, Maryland, Michigan, California, and Washington State. For 28 years we've partnered with the famous WoodenBoat School in Brooklin, Maine, providing instructors, curricula, and boat kits.  We've also led classes at the International Yacht Restoration School in Rhode Island, the Center for Wooden Boats and the Northwest Maritime Center in Washington State, the Great Lakes Boatbuilding School in Michigan, the Low Country Maritime Society in South Carolina, Peters Valley School of Craft in New Jersey, the Mariners' Museum in Virginia, the Spaulding Wooden Boat Center in California, and many others. 

Over the last 28 years, our professional builder-instructors have evolved the choreography of the one-week class to a very high pitch of refinement.  We will make sure you finish the week with a beautiful boat. You don't need any experience, and only basic tools. We've hosted every age from 8 to 80, often at the same time. Sign up for the class, present yourself at the 0800 Monday start, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

Why build a boat in a class?

•   You’ll have a professional boatbuilder at your side every minute
•   You’ll enjoy the positive energy—and extra hands—of a group setting
•   This is a great family or parent-child experience
•   You’ll start and complete boat kit assembly in a week
•   You’ll have lavishly equipped shops at your disposal during the class
•   You’ll enjoy beautiful maritime settings 

We also offer private boatbuilding classes.

Upcoming Boatbuilding Classes:

	Build Your Own Tenderly Dinghy Oct 21, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024 Chesapeake Light Craft - Annapolis, Maryland
	Build Your Own Chester Yawl Nov 4, 2024 - Nov 9, 2024 Chesapeake Light Craft - Annapolis, Maryland
	Build Your Own Lapstrake Dinghy Dec 9, 2024 - Dec 21, 2024 Spaulding Marine Center, Sausalito, California

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   Recent Boatbuilding Classes:

Photos from just a few of our classes over the years...

Six Annapolis Wherries built at Chesapeake Light Craft in October 2010 

 

  

 
Seven new PMDs built at our Annapolis facility in February 2009.

Wood Duck builders launch their boats after class - August 2008.

Build Your Own Wood Duck Class - August 2008

Build Your Own Skerry Class at IYRS - July 2008

      Build Your Own Skerry Class - April 2008

Build Your Own Passagemaker Class - January 2008 

Build Your Own Annapolis Wherry - October 2007 

Build Your Own Chesapeake 17LT Class - October 2007 

Build Your Own Skerry Class, WoodenBoat School, ME - July 2007 

Build Your Own Skerry Class - May 2007 

Build Your Own Annapolis Wherry - January 2007

Build Your Own Skerry Class - May 2006 

Build Your Own Mill Creek - May 2006 

Build Your Own Skerry Class - April 2006 

Build Your Own Annapolis Wherry Class - February 2006 

Build Your Own Chesapeake Class - January 2006 

Build Your Own Skerry Class - November 2005 

Build Your Own Chesapeake Class - August 2005 

 Build Your Own Chesapeake Class - April 2005 

Build Your Own Skerry Class, WoodenBoat School, ME - August 2004