CHESAPEAKE LIGHT CRAFT BOATBUILDING
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The Center for Wooden Boats is excited to be partnering with Chesapeake Light Craft to provide build your own boat classes at The Center for Wooden Boats! In these week-long classes, students will be guided through the construction of one of the CLC kit boats listed below. At the end of the class, students will take their boats home for the final finishing – painting, varnishing, etc. The instructor will discuss the proper way to sand and paint or varnish the boat depending on students’ preferences.
FAQ can be found here
Tuition: Members $995 | Non-members $1,125 | Helper $500
Material cost: Material cost varies by boat, see descriptions below for boat options and kit pricing. A 10% shipping fee will be added to the kit cost. Kits must be purchased in full from CWB no later than 45 days before the class begins. After registering for your class online at the links below, call 206-382-2628 to purchase your kit. CWB provides all the tools and materials you will need during the class, although you are welcome to bring your own tools if desired.
AGES: 18+
DATE: Varies
TIME: 9am - 5pm
CLASS SIZE: 6 Boats
INSTRUCTOR: Casey Wilkinson with Kea Kayaks
LOCATION: South Lake Union
Intro To Epoxy (Sponsored By CLC): TBD
In this 3 hour class you'll learn epoxy safety, fillet techniques, applying fiberglass tape over fillets, fiberglassing over wood, fill-coating fiberglass, rail lamination, and how to install a breasthook. No pre-requisite required. This is a great class to take if you are looking to build a Chesapeake Light Craft boat kit!
Introduction to Stitch and Glue Boatbuilding: TBD
Learn the techniques of stitch and glue boatbuilding before you build your own boat! In this class you will be guided by CWB’s instructors as we work together to build a couple of CLC’s boat kits. You’ll practice the same methods of boat construction as our other CLC classes including how to read the plans, proper use of epoxy, stitching the kit together, sanding and filleting, laying fiberglass, and more! This is a great way to study the fundamentals of plywood kit boatbuilding before you embark on your own project!
Cost: $500 for CWB members and $575 for non-members.
Check out this video of the building process
STITCH & GLUE KAYAK (Shearwater or Wood Duck):
MAY 4 - 9, 2026
Build your own stich and glue boat at The Center for Wooden Boats! 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, foot braces, hatch fittings, and deck rigging. After the class, your boat will be ready to sand and paint or varnish.
For more information on the boats see click here
Kit options:
Wood Duck 10’ Base: $1,594
Wood Duck 12' Base: $1,594
Wood Duck 14' Base: $1,782
Wood Duck Double Base: $1,950
Shearwater Sport (14'6") Base: $1,797
Shearwater 16' Base: $1,797
Shearwater 17' Base: $1,797
Shearwater Double Base: $2,502
Wood Duck 12’
Shearwater 16’
Eastport Pram & Passagemaker Dinghy:
June 1 - 6, 2026
The Passagemaker Dinghy is easy to build but looks great and performs beautifully. A smooth glide when rowing, spirited performance when sailing, and steady handling with an outboard mark this latest entry in our fleet of graceful build-it-yourself boat kits.
For more information on these boats click here
Kit options
Passagemaker Dinghy Base: $2,155
Passagemaker Dinghy Take-Apart Base: $2,394
Passagemaker Dinghy Sloop Rig Add-on: $1,998
Passagemaker Dinghy Lug Rig Add-on: $1,782
The Eastport Pram, with more than 800 built, is one of CLC’s most popular small dinghies. Classic good looks, stand-out performance, and ease of construction are hallmarks of this John C. Harris design.
For more information on these boats click here
Kit options
Eastport Pram Base: $1,590
Eastport Pram Take-Apart Base: $1,902
Eastport Pram Lug Rig Add-on: $1,416
Passage Maker Dinghy
Eastport Pram Lug
NORTHEAST DORY: July 13 - 18, 2026
A dory is a lot of boats for the money, which explains the enduring popularity of the type going back 150 years or more. Relatively few planks mean less construction work. The narrow waterline results in a fast hull under sail or oars, but the flared topsides provide ample reserve stability. Dories are great load carriers, and the Northeaster Dory is no exception. 800 pounds is the max payload.
For more information on the boats click here
Kit options:
Northeaster Dory Basic kit: $2,550
Northeaster Dory Sloop Rig add-on: $2,088
Northeaster Dory Lug Rig add-on: $1,962
Northeaster Dory Basic Kit
ANNAPOLIS WHERRY: August 3 - 8, 2026
The Annapolis Wherry offers thoroughbred performance on the water combined with breathtaking grace. The Annapolis Wherry has been turning heads since 1997, with hundreds and hundreds built all over the world.
Material costs:
Annapolis Wherry Single - $2,142
Annapolis Wherry Tandem - $2,322
For more information on the boats click here
Annapolis Wherry Single
Annapolis Wherry Tandem
Casey Wilkinson
Casey has had a life long passion for the ocean and for building boats. He built his first boat, a Chesapeake Triple Kayak in 2006. Soon after he started his business as Kea Kayaks. Casey started teaching CLC classes at the Center for Wooden Boats in 2018. In 2019 he changed the name of his company to Kea Custom Boats to better reflect the wide array of boats he has built. He has built over 50 boats since. He continues to operate Kea Custom Boats from his home workshop on Bainbridge Island.
Cancellation Policy
For Chesapeake Light Craft Boatbuilding Courses, the following cancellation policy applies:
• Cancellation/change outside of 90 days = full refund less $100 admin fee.
• Cancellation/change within 90-60 days prior to start date = a $100 admin fee and tuition credit for the remaining amount towards a course within the same calendar year. There is no cash refund. Kit Purchase will be refunded less $100 Admin fee on condition of Chesapeake Light Craft not having shipped yet. Participant must take ownership of purchased boat kit if shipped.
• Cancellation/change within 60-30 days of start date = 50% tuition credit of tuition available towards a course within the same calendar year. There is no cash refund. Kit Purchase will be refunded less $100 Admin fee on condition of Chesapeake Light Craft not having shipped yet. Participant must take ownership of purchased boat kit if shipped.
• No refund or credit available for tuition 30 days or less to start of program. Participant must take ownership of purchased boat kit
In case of emergency or insufficient number of registrations, CWB reserves the right to cancel a course and refund the participants in full.
Because of this policy, we strongly urge you to buy refundable airline tickets or flight insurance. CWB will not be responsible for any loss on non-refundable airline tickets.