About

*Class canceled due to Covid-19 closure of BARN. Registrant notified. 4/7/20 SK

* This class has prerequisites. Please see below.

Learn how to make paper plans evolve into a sailable boat as you help build a Port Madison Pram, a classic sailboat designed in the 1950s specifically for the Port Madison Yacht Club.

Befitting that history, the boat you build will eventually go to the club's dock on Port Madison Bay, where you and others can sail it provided you join the club, which has membership rates far below those of most yacht clubs. A group of club members is paying for the materials as a way to increase sailing opportunities for the public.

The boat is made of marine plywood and was designed by Bill Garden for use in classes and races. According to a club history, the criteria were clear: "It had to be small enough for women and children to rig and handle, stable enough for novices – young and old, easy to maintain, reasonably priced, and to meet the final test, it had to be an unbeatable performer."

Building a sailboat takes time, so this class consists of sessions where students will have exclusive use of the woodworking shop as well as ones where the class will share the shop during Open Studio times. A schedule will be worked out early in the class to allow participants to rotate in and out, allowing for summer trips or other commitments. Teens ages 14-18 are invited to sign up for Session 1 and/or Session 2 of the Teen Apprentice program. (Ages 14+ are welcome to sign up for the full project but that's probably impractical because the work begins before the school summer recess.)

This is the basic plan, assuming work progresses as expected: (For a more detailed list of the techniques you will learn and the tools you will master,  click here.)

• May 7, 12 & 14: Assemble the building frame
• May 19 & 21: Build two interior frames and bow and stern
• May 27 & 29: Prepare and install chine logs and keel
• June 2 & 4: Prepare and install bottom and sides (Note that June 2 is an evening class)
• June 10: Prepare and install transom and quarter knees
• June 12: Prepare and install inner and outer gunwales
• June 17: Build center board trunk
• June 19: Prepare and install thwarts (seats)
• July 22: Prepare and install rub rails
• July 24: Build and install rudder, tiller, center board
• July  27, 28 & 30: Build mast and boom
• Aug. 5: Install chain plates and preliminary finishing 
  

Details:

• Open to ages 14+.
• *Prerequisites: You must first complete Orientation to the Woodshop, Woodshop Tool Safety Checkout 1 and Woodshop Tool Safety Checkout 2. For times and to sign up, see the Woodworking Calendar by clicking here.
  
• Tuition assistance is available. Click here to apply.
• Wear closed-toe shoes, avoid loose-fitting clothing and dangling jewelry, and tie back long hair.

Instructor: Mike Gearheard. Mike heads the boatbuilding program at BARN and is a shop manager in the Woodworking Studio.