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July 2020
Build a Half Model Course
This is a 2 day course on building half models.
You will learn the basics of lofting and develop a great understanding of how lines are used to design a boat hull. During the 2 days, you will develop your own half ...
October 2020
Spoon blade Oar making
This is a two day hands on course building your own set of spoon blade oars.
Over the two days you will learn how to select suitable timber for oars, mark and cut the tapered blanks then eight side and finally round ...
Find out more »Essential Skills Course
Essential Skills Course
2 days hands-on course
This is our most popular course and is a fantastic introduction to working with wood and building small boats. You will learn all sorts of tips and tricks, and many ...
Find out more »November 2020
An Introduction to Working with Hand Tools
This is a two day course introducing you to the use of hand tools.
Over the two days you will build a small tool box and a bench stop incorporating a number of woodworking joints and skills including cutting a simple ...
Find out more »Essential Skills Course
Essential Skills Course
2 days hands-on course
This is our most popular course and is a fantastic introduction to working with wood and building small boats. You will learn all sorts of tips and tricks, and many ...
Find out more »February 2021
A+W NZ Introduction to Timber Construction
This is a specific course for members and friends of Architecture and Women. It's a 2 day course held over consecutive Sundays 21 and 28 Feb.
This course is designed to familiarise students with common timber based ...
May 2026
Build a Half Model Course
This is a 2 day course on building half models.
You will learn the basics of lofting and develop a great understanding of how lines are used to design a boat hull. During the 2 days, you will develop and built your own ...
June 2026
Planking Clinker boats
Without doubt the hardest part of clinker or lapstrake boatbuilding is laying out spiling and fitting the planks. This two day course will take you through all the steps from laying out a nice run of planks to making patterns, spiling a plank and then planing the gains or landings at each end, planing the bevel and finally fastening the plank. A very good course for anyone thinking about building a clinker dinghy.
Find out more »July 2026
Spoon Blade Oars
During this two day hands on course you will make yourself a beautiful pair of spoon blade oars to take home, You will learn how to mark and cut out the blanks, glue together the various pieces and finally shape up your own oars ready for final varnishing and fitting of rowlocks and sleeves. Course includes materials to build a pair of 6 foot oars.
Find out more »August 2026
Sharpen and Set – Hand Tools
Primary focus in the course will be on hand planes, straight chisels, woodcarving and woodturning tools. Saws and saw blades. If you have some old tools at home ie planes and chisels, spokeshaves or wood turning chisels, Bring them along and we’ll teach and help you to sharpen and set them up. If you don’t have tools yet don’t worry we have some you can practice on. The course covers: The theory and practice of creating an effective sharp edge…
Find out more »Wooden Block making course
This is a 2 day course on making traditional wooden blocks (Pulleys) This is a hands on course and over the two days you will be guided through making your own wooden blocks to take home including some splicing of Hempex and Dynema for the strops and the fitting of thimbles etc. Stephen Horsley is the Tutor, He is the owner of the beautifully restored gaff rigged yacht Ngatira. All materials supplied and you will take home your completed blocks…
Find out more »September 2026
Steam Bending ribs and Fastening
This is a one day course on Steam bending timber and in particular Ribs for clinker built boats. It's a hands on course and you will be involved in the selection sizing and steaming of suitable timbers and then we will fasten the bent ribs using copper nails and roves. A great course if your wanting to learn about steam bending wood and or riveting using copper nails and roves.
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