Boat Building Class Launch

At the island on Washinee Lake

On Tuesday, May 26th, seven of the nine students who built boats this year took their new craft down to the school boathouse for a paddle on Washinee (of Twin Lakes). This year, we made seven skin-on-frame, low-seat canoes, one stand-up paddle board, and one Oxford Shell.  The latter two craft are from Chesapeake Light Craft.  The skin boats we build from scratch.

Our launching was a great success. The skin canoes cruised around the lake and over to the small island to explore, with Chris Massini not far behind, on his SUP, despite not having a proper SUP paddle.  This was Jack Souder's first time in a shell, but with some help from crew coach Dick Curtis, he was able to adjust his rigging and get a feel for the new boat.


2015 boat launch from Roger McKee on Vimeo.

Except for a few odds and ends, like lashing in floorboards and seats and some painter lines, the boats are together.  The wood boats need more coats of varnish, but these will be up to the students when they get them home.

Ray Seebeck's paint-marker design.

Color!

One section's boats in a row.

Boat by Graham Turner '15 - carving by Nathaneal Matlack '15.

Ray Seebeck's Boat.

Matt Dugan '15.

SUP by Chris Massini, '18.

The other goup.

Skinning the Canoes

skinning 2 from Roger McKee on Vimeo.

May 2nd 'Wrap' Up

All the frames varnished

Wrapping the skin on the boat, in preparation for stretching.

SUP completely 'glassed

Front deck of Oxford Shell glued on.