Ready to sign up for a 2012 Workshop or Class? Please send us an email to begin the registration process, unless the workshop you would like to register for has a link to our registration site. If this is the case, please click the link to complete registration.

Kayak Building: Aleut Ikyak (Baidarka)

Instructor: Corey Freedman
Description: The Aleut Ikyak, also widely known as the Baidarka, has been used for thousands of years as the primary method of transportation in the Aleutian Islands. It is the acme of Arctic Native design. Build your own boat, designed to fit your skill level and body type. The boats are built primarily of yellow and red cedar with all joinery pegged and lashed – no metal fastenings or glues. You do not need woodworking experience; just come equipped with enthusiasm!
Limit: 4 students
Member cost: $1,200
Non-member cost: $1,400
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Session 1: April 7 - 15 (Cama Beach) - Cama Cabin reservations available
Time: 9 am - 5 pm (Saturday - Sunday)
Session 2: June 30 - July 8
Time: 9 am - 5 pm (Saturday - Sunday)
Session 3: September 22 - 30
Time: 9 am - 5 pm (Saturday - Sunday)

Varnishing: An Introduction to Brightwork

Instructor: Dave Thacker Description: This two-day seminar will start with the basics of bright finishing and take the novice step-by-step through the process of varnishing bare or previously finished wood, with an emphasis on practicality. This class is aimed at those taking an active role in maintaining their vessels who have always been mystified by the finicky nature of varnish and the myriad myths surrounding it. Learn how to repair and rehabilitate varnished surfaces that have been damaged by wear and tear or neglect. 
This workshop also will cover stripping old finishes and preparing bare wood for sealing and new varnish. Other topics include choosing sealers and finishes, efficient use of the many grades of masking tapes, abrasives and sanding blocks, edge tools and other tricks of the trade that will help produce a professional finish. On both days, demonstrations will be presented by the instructor and students will be able to hone their newly-acquired skills on work pieces.
Limit: 6 students
Member cost: $160 Non-member cost: $200 
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Session 1: April 21 & 22
Time: 9 am - 3 pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Session 2: June 2 & 3

Time: 9 am - 3 pm (Saturday & Sunday) 

Carolina Dory Boatbuilding

Instructor: Rich Kolin
Description: Join Camano Island’s own Rich Kolin for a week of hands-on plywood boatbuilding.  Kolin, author of numerous boatbuilding guides such as “Boatbuilding Made Easy”, brings his expertise to the Cama Beach boatshop. The Carolina Dory is a small utilitarian kicker boat built to take anything you can throw at it. This semi-dory has been used by generations of boatmen in the sounds and bays of the Carolina coasts. Its design is well-suited for the environs of the Pacific Northwest – fresh or salt water. Using top-quality marine-grade plywood, epoxies and fasteners, workshop students will work together to build this simple design. During this nine-day class, students will build one boat and return home with the knowledge and experience to build their own plywood fishing, crabbing or work boat.
Limit: 8 students
Member cost: $800
Non-member cost: $950
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Dates: May 19 - 29 (Cama Beach) - Cama Cabin reservations available
Time: 10am - 5pm (Saturday - Tuesday)

Half Model Making

Instructor: Joe Green
Description: Traditionally, boats were designed from half models. From the carved hull form, lines were drawn and scaled up to create full-size patterns. Time will be spent laminating wood, sharpening tools, working with chisels, gouges, spokeshaves and hand planes to craft your own three-dimensional model. Students will mount their half models on boards, ready for display!
Limit: 6 students
Member cost: $260
Non-member cost: $300
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Dates: May 19 & 20
Time: 10 am – 5 pm (Saturday & Sunday)

Diesel Engine Theory

Instructor: Adrian Lipp
Description: Join the engineers and get your hands dirty while fixing the Arthur Foss’ 700 horsepower diesel engine. This 70-year-old engine uses the same principles as modern diesels, but the parts are MUCH bigger and easier to work on. The 2012 session focuses on overhauling cylinder one; participants will inspect previous repair work, pull the cylinder head and piston (18 inches in diameter!) and perform repairs under the supervision of experienced diesel mechanics. No prior engine experience necessary. Cost includes daily lunch.
Limit: 8 students
Member cost: $800
Non-member cost: $950
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Dates: May 26, June 2, 9, 16 & 23
Time: 8:30 pm - 5 pm (Saturdays)

Lofting

Instructor: Eric Hvalsoe
Description: Lofting is a vital tool, typically the first step in building a new boat. It is a fascinating mental exercise in three-dimensional management and layering. We will discuss construction details, set-up and building molds for the real thing. Newcomers, put on your thinking caps! Veterans may even learn a trick or two. Reading about lofting is not enough; you’ve got to do it!
Limit: 8 students
Member cost: $200
Non-member cost: $250
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Session 1: June 9 & 10
Time: 9 am - 5 pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Session 2: September 22 & 23
Time: 9 am - 5 pm (Saturday & Sunday)

Wood-Canvas Canoe Restoration

Instructor: Eric Harman
Description: Learn how to repair and restore traditional wood-canvas canoes with CWB’s resident boatwright. Students will carefully remove outwales and keel and peel off the old canvas to inspect the hull for damage. Any necessary repairs to ribs, planks, seats, etc., will be done. If time allows, students will apply a coat of preservative, stretch on new canvas and apply filler. Take home the skills necessary to restore your own wooden canoe! We will be working on CWB-owned canoes - some of which are available for sale. Students may be able to bring their own canoes to work on by prior arrangement (plus an additional cost for materials used on student-owned canoes).
Limit: 8 students
Member cost: $600
Non-member cost: $700
Drop-in daily rate: $120 members / $150 non-members
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Dates: June 16,17, 23, 24, 30 & July 1 (Cama Beach) - Cama Cabin reservations available
Time: 9 am – 5 pm (Saturdays and Sundays)

Caulking for Beginners

Instructor: Tim Reagan
Description: A tight wooden boat is a strong boat. This workshop is for boat owners who want to do their own repairs or the shipwright who replaces planks and wants to caulk them with confidence. Tim will explain and demonstrate the techniques of examining a boat to determine the extent of repair and caulking required. It’s hands on; if you have irons and a mallet bring them along.
Limit: 12 students
Member cost: $50
Non-member cost: $60
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Date: June 16
Time: 10 am - 2 pm (Saturday)

B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Boat)

Instructor: Dave Thacker & Sam Laher
Description: Got a boat kicking around in your backyard that you’ve been meaning to get to, but just don’t know where to start? How about a boat you tore into and found more than you bargained for? This class is designed for do-it-yourselfers who need a jump-start on their projects. Bring your trailerable wooden boat (up to 20’) and get valuable time with professional shipwrights.
You will get advice on how to begin the restoration, make repairs and move your project forward. Participants will come away from this class with a better understanding of boats, marine products and professional restoration techniques. B.Y.O.B. Great as a gift certificate! Help that special someone get their boat out of your driveway!
Member cost: $80
Non-member cost: $85
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Date: August 18
Time: 10 am - 4 pm (Saturday)

Bronze Casting

Instructor: Sam Johnson
Description: Learn how to use all the tools necessary to cast hot metal using sand-casting technology. Sam Johnson will cover the basics of patternmaking, sand molding and bronze casting during this engaging hands-on course. Students will make patterns of their designs to cast tools, boat hardware and other objects in bronze. Boatbuilders in particular often need special bronze fittings that are not available but can be cast without great expense. Anyone who has ever lost an oarlock will appreciate learning how to make copies of original hardware. Students also will learn how to build their own inexpensive furnace. Patterns will be provided for student use.
Limit: 10 students
Member cost: $280
Non-member cost: $350
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Date: August  25 & 26
Time: 9 am - 5 pm (Saturday & Sunday)

Stitch and Glue Boatbuilding

Instructor: Sam Devlin
Description: Sam Devlin has been a strong proponent of the Stitch and Glue method of boatbuilding for the past 30 years. In this class students will build a Peeper, a 12’ rowing skiff of his own design. The class will take place at the Devlin Boatshop in Olympia; please call Edel O’Connor at CWB for more information.
Limit: 8 students
Member cost: $550
Non-member cost: $625
Register: Please send us an email to begin the registration process

Dates: September 24 -28
Time: 9 am - 5 pm (Monday - Friday)

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