CHESAPEAKE LIGHT CRAFT BOATBUILDING
The Center for Wooden Boats is excited to be partnering with Chesapeake Light Craft to provide build your own boat classes at The Center for Wooden Boats! In these week-long classes, students will be guided through the construction of one of the CLC kit boats listed below. At the end of the class, students will take their boats home for the final finishing – painting, varnishing, etc. The instructor will discuss the proper way to sand and paint or varnish the boat depending on students’ preferences.
FAQ can be found here
Tuition: Members $995 | Non-members $1,125 | Helper $500
Material cost: Material cost varies by boat, see descriptions below for boat options and kit pricing. A 10% shipping fee will be added to the kit cost. Kits must be purchased in full from CWB no later than 45 days before the class begins. After registering for your class online at the links below, call 206-382-2628 to purchase your kit. CWB provides all the tools and materials you will need during the class, although you are welcome to bring your own tools if desired.
AGES: 18+
DATE: Varies
TIME: 9am - 5pm
CLASS SIZE: 6 Boats
INSTRUCTOR: Casey Wilkinson with Kea Kayaks
LOCATION: South Lake Union
Intro To Epoxy (Sponsored By CLC): January 18th
In this 3 hour class you'll learn epoxy safety, fillet techniques, applying fiberglass tape over fillets, fiberglassing over wood, fill-coating fiberglass, rail lamination, and how to install a breasthook. No pre-requisite required. This is a great class to take if you are looking to build a Chesapeake Light Craft boat kit!
*This class is offered multiple times a year so if you miss the posted dates, check back for more!
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AGES: Adult
DATE: January 18th
TIME: 10am-2pm
CLASS SIZE: 20 Students
INSTRUCTOR: Ducky Kimball
LOCATION: South Lake Union
PREREQUISITES: None
COST: Non-Members $120 | Members $100
Introduction to Stitch and Glue Boatbuilding:
April 21 - 26, 2025
Registration Opens Soon, Email dkimball@cwb.org for waitlist
Learn the techniques of stitch and glue boatbuilding before you build your own boat! In this class you will be guided by CWB’s instructors as we work together to build a couple of CLC’s boat kits. You’ll practice the same methods of boat construction as our other CLC classes including how to read the plans, proper use of epoxy, stitching the kit together, sanding and filleting, laying fiberglass, and more! This is a great way to study the fundamentals of plywood kit boatbuilding before you embark on your own project!
Cost: $500 for CWB members and $575 for non-members.
*We are tentatively planning on building CLC’s Wood Duck 12, although the exact models are subject to change due to demand and other factors.
Check out this video of the building process
Jimmy Skiff: May 26 - 31, 2025
Registration Opens Soon, Email dkimball@cwb.org for waitlist
Those looking for a super-versatile utility skiff will be hard-pressed to find a better design. The Jimmy Skiff II rows beautifully, sails fast on all points, and handles great with an outboard engine.
For more information on these boats click here
Kit options
Jimmy Skiff II Base: $2,397
Jimmy Skiff II Sail Rig: $2,399
Skerry Daysailer: June 16 - 21, 2025
Registration Opens Soon, Email dkimball@cwb.org for waitlist
The Skerry is an ideal first boatbuilding project and a good boat in which to learn to sail or row. The Skerry will take you for a relaxing afternoon sail, yet she has the capacity and performance to go “beach-cruising”—sailing or rowing by day and pulling up on a secluded beach each evening to camp. The Skerry’s feather-light weight and shallow draft mean that you can poke into quiet waters, pull the boat over a sandbar, and explore that hidden cove.
For more information on these boats click here
Kit options
Skerry Base: $2,250
Skerry Sloop Rig add-on: $2,097
Skerry Sprit Rig add-on: $1,643
Skerry Lug Rig add-on: $1,677
STITCH & GLUE KAYAK (Shearwater or Wood Duck):
July 14 - 20, 2025
Registration Opens Soon, Email dkimball@cwb.org for waitlist
Build your own stich and glue boat at The Center for Wooden Boats! Starting with pre-cut plywood parts, we will assemble the hull and deck of the kayak using copper wires and epoxy glue. We will then cut hatches, fiberglass the boat and install the cockpit coaming. During construction, we will discuss outfitting the boat with seats, foot braces, hatch fittings, and deck rigging. After the class, your boat will be ready to sand and paint or varnish.
Kaholo Stand Up Paddle Board: With their uncanny speed, the Kaholo 12-6 and Kaholo 14 have found a following among racers. The 14 is better for larger paddlers (or those who might carry along dogs or small kids). The 12-6 is more compact, better for smaller-statured paddlers, and it fits in several increasingly popular racing classes.
There are no other SUP boards in the world that are easier for a first-time boatbuilder, or better-looking. But you don't give up one bit of performance if you build your own Kaholo!
For more information on the boats see click here
Kit options:
Wood Duck 10’ Base: $1,594
Wood Duck 12' Base: $1,594
Wood Duck 14' Base: $1,782
Wood Duck Double Base: $1,950
Shearwater Sport (14'6") Base: $1,797
Shearwater 16' Base: $1,797
Shearwater 17' Base: $1,797
Shearwater Double Base: $2,502
Wood Duck 12’
Shearwater 16’
Kaholo Stand Up Paddle Board
NORTHEAST DORY: August 4 - 9, 2025
Registration Opens Soon, Email dkimball@cwb.org for waitlist
A dory is a lot of boats for the money, which explains the enduring popularity of the type going back 150 years or more. Relatively few planks mean less construction work. The narrow waterline results in a fast hull under sail or oars, but the flared topsides provide ample reserve stability. Dories are great load carriers, and the Northeaster Dory is no exception. 800 pounds is the max payload.
For more information on the boats click here
Kit options:
Northeaster Dory Basic kit: $2,550
Northeaster Dory Sloop Rig add-on: $2,088
Northeaster Dory Lug Rig add-on: $1,962
Northeaster Dory Basic Kit
Eastport Pram & Passagemaker Dinghy:
August 25 - 30, 2025
Registration Opens Soon, Email dkimball@cwb.org for waitlist
The Passagemaker Dinghy is easy to build but looks great and performs beautifully. A smooth glide when rowing, spirited performance when sailing, and steady handling with an outboard mark this latest entry in our fleet of graceful build-it-yourself boat kits.
For more information on these boats click here
Kit options
Passagemaker Dinghy Base: $2,155
Passagemaker Dinghy Take-Apart Base: $2,394
Passagemaker Dinghy Sloop Rig Add-on: $1,998
Passagemaker Dinghy Lug Rig Add-on: $1,782
The Eastport Pram, with more than 800 built, is one of CLC’s most popular small dinghies. Classic good looks, stand-out performance, and ease of construction are hallmarks of this John C. Harris design.
For more information on these boats click here
Kit options
Eastport Pram Base: $1,590
Eastport Pram Take-Apart Base: $1,902
Eastport Pram Lug Rig Add-on: $1,416
Eastport Pram Lug
Passage Maker Dinghy
ANNAPOLIS WHERRY: September 15 - 20, 2024
Registration Opens Soon, Email dkimball@cwb.org for waitlist
The Annapolis Wherry offers thoroughbred performance on the water combined with breathtaking grace. The Annapolis Wherry has been turning heads since 1997, with hundreds and hundreds built all over the world.
Material costs:
Annapolis Wherry Single - $2,142
Annapolis Wherry Tandem - $2,322
For more information on the boats click here
Annapolis Wherry Single
Annapolis Wherry Tandem
Casey Wilkinson
Casey has had a life long passion for the ocean and for building boats. He built his first boat, a Chesapeake Triple Kayak in 2006. Soon after he started his business as Kea Kayaks. Casey started teaching CLC classes at the Center for Wooden Boats in 2018. In 2019 he changed the name of his company to Kea Custom Boats to better reflect the wide array of boats he has built. He has built over 50 boats since. He continues to operate Kea Custom Boats from his home workshop on Bainbridge Island.
Cancelation Policy
For Chesapeake Light Craft Boatbuilding Courses, the following cancellation policy applies:
• Cancellation/change outside of 90 days = full refund less $100 admin fee.
• Cancellation/change within 90-60 days prior to start date = a $100 admin fee and tuition credit for the remaining amount towards a course within the same calendar year. There is no cash refund. Kit Purchase will be refunded less $100 Admin fee on condition of Chesapeake Light Craft not having shipped yet. Participant must take ownership of purchased boat kit if shipped.
• Cancellation/change within 60-30 days of start date = 50% tuition credit of tuition available towards a course within the same calendar year. There is no cash refund. Kit Purchase will be refunded less $100 Admin fee on condition of Chesapeake Light Craft not having shipped yet. Participant must take ownership of purchased boat kit if shipped.
• No refund or credit available for tuition 30 days or less to start of program. Participant must take ownership of purchased boat kit
In case of emergency or insufficient number of registrations, CWB reserves the right to cancel a course and refund the participants in full.
Because of this policy, we strongly urge you to buy refundable airline tickets or flight insurance. CWB will not be responsible for any loss on non-refundable airline tickets.