Workshops
The Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland & Labrador offers Boat Building Workshops that teach the basic skills and knowledge required to build a wooden boat. Workshop participants actively learn how to build a traditional wooden boat through hands-on training with instruction and interpretation from our resident boat builder and museum staff. Workshops are offered at various levels with each level increasing in duration, material covered, and skills developed.
Please note: All must wear a mask for the duration of the workshop and are required to present proof of vaccination upon arrival. In the event of increased restrictions that prevent the workshop from going ahead, full refunds will be provided.
Elements of Punt Design
In this one-day workshop you will be introduced to hull design techniques for a traditional wooden punt and learn how to read lines plans, tables of offsets and construction plans. With hands-on instruction, you use basic measuring tools to determine hull shapes for ½ scale and 1/12 scale models. Perfect for anyone planning to build a boat or those who are just curious about the process. Minimum of 4 participants to go ahead
Course fee: $100
Introduction to Planking
This one-day workshop will introduce you to the process of planking. Through hands-on instruction you will learn how to measure, shape and install a plank on a traditional Newfoundland punt. Minimum 4 participants to go ahead
Cost: $100
Oar Making
Build your own set of 8ft oars using traditional tools and techniques in this two-day workshop. Learn about the importance of hand tools as you craft your oars from pre-laminated blanks using a handplane, spokeshave, chisel, rasp and handsaw. In addition to these traditional methods, we will also discuss modern techniques for lamination using marine epoxy. Some experience with woodworking is recommended. Minimum of 6 participants required to go ahead.
Cost: $350
See our Weekend Getaway offer for packaged options that include meals and accommodations.
Traditional Navigation
Before radar and GPS, mariners used traditional methods for effective navigation. In this session, you will use simple tools and techniques to learn how to determine location, plot a course and measure speed. Minimum of 4 participants required to go ahead.
Cost: $100.00
Our Week-long Workshops offer an immersive boat building experience that teaches participants the skills required to build a boat of their own. The five day program addresses traditional and contemporary methods of boat design and construction, while exploring the rich heritage of wooden boats in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Winterton Rodney
Participants will receive detailed instructions as they progress through each stage of building a 16’4″ Rodney originally designed and built by Marcus French of Winterton, Trinity Bay. Learn about traditional boat uses, designs and building techniques in Newfoundland and Labrador while actively constructing the backbone, placing moulds and battens, and shaping timbers and planks.
Check back soon for our 2022 schedule
Grand Banks Dory
Learn the skills and techniques required to build a 17′ Grand Banks Dory, based on traditional designs used in the Grand Banks Fishery. Participants will receive detailed instruction as they build a complete dory, progressing through each stage from the laying out the bottom, to installing frames, planks and finishing details. Minimum of 4 participants required to go ahead.
Cost: $800
Junior Builders
Our Junior Builders program teaches kids practical skills while sparking a curiosity about local heritage. Participants work together to assemble a full-size dory and enact a traditional boat launch, followed by demonstrations on buoyancy and stability. Each participant assembles their own model sailboat and we end the afternoon testing them out in the nearby brook. Be sure to bring rubber boots!
Children will learn:
– types of boats in Newfoundland and their uses
– differences between a flat and round bottom boat
– modern and traditional names for parts of the boat
– compass directions
– how a boat floats
– traditional tool use, including hand drill, hand plane, and caulking iron and mallet
– traditional skills such as net knitting and caulking with oakum
– nautical folklore about boat launching, superstitions and weather
All participants take home heir model boats and receive a Junior Boat Builder Certificate at the end of the day.
Safety: The workshop begins with a small talk regarding safety and the importance of being careful when working with tools. Children are provided with safety goggles for the workshop and Museum staff are present to ensure continued safety throughout.
Junior Builders Registration
Register your Junior Builder by filling out our registration form.
Learn MoreCoastal Experience
Why just observe when you can create? In our five-day workshop you will learn to build a traditional wooden dory through hands-on training and personalized instruction from our resident boat builder and master storyteller. Spend five nights at a local bed and breakfast (Mallamoore House or SeaGlass B&B) and let the ocean sing you to sleep after an enriching day in our seaside boat shed. This package includes workshop registration, five (5) nights accommodation, daily breakfast and boxed lunches for one person. Add accommodations and breakfast for a second person for $25/night.
Weekend Getaway
Begin your two-night weekend getaway at a local bed and breakfast (Mallamoore House or SeaGlass B&B) and let the ocean sing you to sleep as you breathe the crisp clean summer air. On Saturday and Sunday, join our resident boat builder in the Boat Shed in Winterton to craft your own set of 8ft oars using traditional tools and techniques. Package includes workshop registration, 2 nights accommodation, breakfast and bagged lunch.
NOTE: Double Occupancy/One Workshop includes accommodations and breakfasts for two people and Oar Making Workshop/bagged lunches for one person. To register two people for the workshop, please select Double Occupancy/Two Workshops.
Gift Certificates
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Marcus French Rodney
Offered in partnership with Memorial University Faculty of Education, this intensive 12-week workshop provides details instruction as you progress through each stage of building a 16’4″ rodney originally designed and built by Marcus French of Winterton, Trinity Bay. Join boat builder Jerome Canning twice a week to learn about traditional boat uses, designs and building techniques in Newfoundland and Labrador while actively constructing the backbone, placing moulds and battens, and shaping timbers and planks.