Photo Credit: Erin Tokarz

July 22nd-23rd
9:00am - 4:00pm
$550

Lofting is an essential first-step in traditional boatbuilding. Working from plans and a table of offsets boatbuilders draw the lines of a boat full-size, traditionally on a mould loft floor. The drawing ensures all lines are fair in the construction of the moulds around which the boat is planked. The lofting also provides many other details of value to the builder, such as the exact shape of the stem rabbet and plank bevels. Lofting also allows the builder the ability to work from hundreds of plans available from institutions such as Mystic Seaport and the Smithsonian. In this class students will work at a table height lofting up to two boats. We will also cover half model making, the precursor to lofting, and go over how to move from a lofting to building moulds. Printed materials will be provided to further reinforce what is learned in the workshop. No prior experience is necessary. Students should bring pencils, and a carpenters square and a yardstick if possible.

Douglas Brooks is a boatbuilder, writer, researcher, and teacher specializing in the construction of traditional wooden boats for museums and private clients. Since 1990, he has been researching traditional Japanese boatbuilding, documenting the techniques and design secrets of the craft. He has taught at schools and maritime museums across the United States, Japan, and Australia. Brooks has published five books and numerous articles on Japanese boatbuilding. His 2015 book, Japanese Wooden Boatbuilding, is the first comprehensive survey of the craft. For more about his work visit http://www.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com.

July 22nd - 23rd

9:00am-4:00pm

655 Main St, Rockland, ME