Custom Boatbuilding & Repair

custom boat work

Custom Boatbuilding  •  Repair  •  Restoration  •  Fabrication

Would you like a Chesapeake Light Craft boat design, or another boat design, but don’t have the time or space to build it yourself? Do you have a small boat in need of repair? CLC has been building boats on commission since 1994. Today, our custom shop draws on decades of experience in boatbuilding, CAD/CAM design, and fabrication to take on projects ranging from complete boats and restorations to highly specialized fabrication work.

The custom building and repair shop is led by CLC’s lead boatbuilder, WoodenBoat School instructor, and degreed wood scientist Andrew Schroeher.

Small-Boat Specialists

Finding the right shop for a small boat can be surprisingly difficult. Most full-service boatyards are set up for larger yachts, where the materials, repair methods, and economics of the work can be very different.

Small boats are what we know. CLC’s professional boatbuilders understand lightweight wood and composite construction, marine plywood, fiberglass, epoxy, paint, and varnish. We know how these boats are built, which materials belong in them, and how to approach a repair without turning a straightforward small-boat project into a big-yard job.

Custom Shop Capabilities

  • Complete Custom Builds – CLC designs and other small craft, professionally built to order
  • Boat Repair & Restoration – Structural repairs, damage repair, upgrades, and restoration
  • Paint & Varnish – Professional finishing and refinishing for new and existing boats
  • CLC Teardrop Campers – Complete, professionally built CLC Teardrop Campers
  • Prototypes & Plugs – One-off projects backed by CLC’s design and fabrication experience
  • CNC Fabrication – Precision-milled foils and other components for yachts large and small
  • Specialty Fabrication – Architectural elements, sculpture work, and unusual projects that benefit from our woodworking and CNC capabilities

Over the years, we’ve delivered boats of nearly every shape and size, along with campers and a wide range of one-off projects. If it involves wood, composites, complex geometry, or precision fabrication, there’s a good chance our custom shop can help.  View a selection of projects we've undertaken.

Contact us to start you next project: Andrew@clcboats.com / 410-267-137

If you are interested in a Private Boatbuilding Class, we do that. Learn more here.


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"Had an amazing week at CLC taking a private class with boat building master Andrew. With his help, I was able to build my PT11 nesting rower sailer boat that will become my bigger boats tender. The whole team at CLC are amazing, and I cannot recommend the private class build option more! If you have dreamed of building your own boat, canoe, or kayak…this is the place to do it!" 

– Matt B. | PT Eleven Builder

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Building a PT11 Nesting Dinghy with Matt B. in a private class

Finishing a student's class built Skerry kit (sanding prep, paint, varnish, hardware, and custom vinyl lettering installed

Jimmy Skiff II completion for customer
Refinishing the topside finish on a NE Dory
Finishing a student's class built kit (sanding prep, paint, varnish, hardware, and custom vinyl lettering installed

Repairing a severely damaged Teardrop Camper for a customer


Complete build of a Peeler Skiff with a center console. 


Repairing a customer's Eastport Pram that contained extensive storm damage.