Student Corey Rodgers is featured on the front page of the Filson catalog and website! Filson chose the Boat School for a recent photo shoot and has now posted a feature story about the Boat School on their website. You can see Corey Rodgers on the front page of their website at:
You can read the article and see additional photos featuring students Matthew Shaunessy, Alex Finn, Corey Rodgers and Chuck Garrett, as well as instructor Bruce Blatchley at:
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is pleased to announce that thirty-three students have successfully completed the twelve-month Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree program in wooden boat building and will graduate on Wednesday, September 17.
Friends, family, fellow students, board members and alumni are invited to a ceremony and potluck honoring the graduates at 3 p.m. at the H.J. Carroll Park, 9884 Rhody Drive in Chimacum.
Graduating students are: Rw Barrett, Russell Bates, Alec Binder, Bobby Bowen, Galen Brake, Adrian Candaux, Lafayette Duvall, Reuben Ewan, Alan Fenwick , Alexander Finn, Peter Flint, Charles Garrett, Austin Hatch, Samuel Hunt, Steve Kim, Drew Larson, Mike Lee, Christopher Lindstam, Jeffrey Lydston, Andrew McGilvra, Mark Paxton, Corey Rodgers, Korey Ruben, John Sandoval, Matthew Shaunessy, Jacob Simmering, Bradley Suedekum, Noah Sturdy, Mussa Ulenga, Caleb Underwood, Michael Voderberg, Ryan Wilmsmeier and Jessiah Worley.
Please join us for the ceremony and potluck afterwards. For the potluck, please bring salad, side dish or dessert to share. The School will provide service-ware, lasagna and soft drinks. For questions contact the school at 360-385-4948 or [email protected].
“Azurlita” launches Friday, Sept. 6 at 5 pm – JOIN US in front of the SEA Marine Company at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival to celebrate with our students & instructor – Sean Koomen!
Contemporary – Atkins Canoe – fastening strip to bow – David Flaxer (L) and Fred Shwiller
David Flaxer, a graduate of our Contemporary Wooden Boatbuilding class of 2008 recently wrote to us about his experience at the School and the magnificent wooden boat he built using the skills he learned.
We always love to hear from our graduates, thanks for the thumbs up, David!
At some point in my mid-fifties I had the notion to build a wooden sailboat. I think the idea of constructing something as complicated as a classically designed craft grabbed me – after all, an object practically devoid of straight lines and perpendicular angles seemed wonderfully mysterious in its creation. Just how was that done? I wanted to connect to the sweet lines and the beauty of a boats shape: hull and house, sail and spar. These vessels were developed organically though millennia of sea trials by boat builders and sailors, who learned from practical experience the interaction of water and wind. Lastly, while I’ve had exposure to the rough carpentry of house building, never did I attempt the skills of fine carpentry; I wanted the exposure to exotic woods, from buttery Honduran mahogany to the sweet fragrance of yellow cedar.
So I sought out a boat school to introduce me to these aspects of the nautical world. How fortunate was I to have discovered and enrolled in the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding! The program did not disappoint. The skilled staff was talented and diverse, each instructor possessing a particular expertise that covered the wide range of skills needed to become a boat builder. The organization of the educational program, from the use of tools, theory and construction lectures, lofting, and hands-on construction was structured in such a way that they incrementally built my skills. Moreover, the education program induced in me a shipwright’s sensibility and a confidence to believe that I myself could build the boat I envisioned.
And build it I did. As soon as I graduated I undertook the construction of Coquina, a 17 foot cat-ketch, designed in the 1880’s during the golden age of yachting by the famous boat architect NG Herreshoff, Sr., the “Wizard of Bristol”. My requirement called for hull construction using contemporary materials (plywood and epoxy) while the rest of the boat was made of mahogany and old growth spruce. With the training received from Northwest Sails, which is associated with the boat school, I was even able to construct my own sails, rigging and boat cover. So, I was able to build the entire boat, from the bronze hardware to the trailer it sat on. After 1200 hours labor, spanning 18 months or so, I had my first sail, from a boat launch adjacent to the school.
This link will connect you to the photographs of the boat launch celebration > http://tinyurl.com/bwn6xg9 http://tinyurl.com/czg6n2k < points you to a compilation of 222 construction photographs, from inception to launch.
My experience with the Boat School exceeded my expectations. I can recommend the School without qualification to anyone who is motivated to build a boat with their own hands.
Our beloved Master Instructor, Jeff Hammond received a thank-you email from a student who began his woodworking career 20 years ago under Jeff’s expert tutelage. We think that Kipp’s story is a perfect example of how the skills learned at the Boat School, building beautiful works of floating wooden art, can be transformed into any of the fine woodworking trades. For 31 years, teaching craftsmanship has been our mission and we are pleased to see how far Kipp has taken his craft.
We want to share Kipp’s story with you! Please watch the inspiring video of Kipp in his shop using the skills he learned from Jeff Hammond 20 years ago at the School, masterfully crafting wooden musical art.
Jeff,
I was a student of yours nearly 20 years ago, in the class of 1993.
At age 21, I came into your program without ever having held a hand plane, a chisel or a spokeshave. I had no previous exposure to technical drafting or to lofting. I only say this because I want you & the staff there to know that my journey as a craftsman began at your school.
My craft has become, over time, the building of guitars rather than that of boats, but it is a craft that I have mastered. I wanted to share with you a video that was shot in my shop a few weeks ago. (see below)
I hope that it displays the degree to which my life has been affected by your program. I also hope that you can send it to both Ray Speck & Neil, who taught our orientation to woodworking & to anyone in your community to whom it may apply.
I am both thankful & immensely grateful for all that your school has done & continues to do for the preservation of craftsmanship.
Graduates of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding work in our nations’ shipyards, boat shops, educational institutions and maritime museums, maintaining the continuity of the art of wooden boat building, repair and restoration.
It seems that with each conversation I have with individual boat school students, new and diverse goals emerge for their careers. Today I spoke with one who is preparing to enter the automotive industry to do design work. Another wants to work in a high quality speed boat company. Other students are interested in teaching and still others want to incorporate their skills into their work fishing. I love all the visions and all the students – we never have a dull day at the Boat School!
The winning poster for the 37th Annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival was designed by Sarah Felder, alumnus of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Felder attended the Boat School in the 2011-12 school year and distinguished herself as a dedicated traditional wood craftsperson and student.
Her poster honors both the festival as well as the tall ship Adventuress’ 100th birthday, which seems fitting since Sarah has served as the first mate of the Adventuress for several seasons. She now is working for Salish Sea Expeditions, but will return to serve on the Adventuress this summer as first mate. We at the Boat School are exceedingly proud of Sarah and her many professional accomplishments.
Kim Kopp is a 2013 recipient of a fellowship at Jentel, an artist residency program in Wyoming. In 2005 Kopp was an EDGE Professional Development participant and in 2002 she was awarded a GAP from Artist Trust in Washington State, as well as a residency at Centrum Arts, in Port Townsend, WA. Kim Kopp is a graduate of the University of Chicago, MFA – 1992, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, BFA – 1987. Kim Kopp is at present represented by Gallery IMA and SAM Gallery, both in Seattle, WA.
Stephanie Ingram graduated from the Boat School in 1999, and her time at the boat school influenced her career path as an architect and builder. She is a partner of Five Dot Design Build, a small design/build company in Seattle. They provide design and build services for residential and small public projects in seattle- with a strong focus on integrating sustainability with modern design.
This Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 1 pm there will be a Celebration of Allen Fletcher’s Life at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding classroom. (42 N. Water Street, Port Hadlock, WA 98339; 360-385-4948; [email protected])
Allen is a graduate of the Boat School and has been missing for three weeks. There is evidence pointing to a possible drowning. At this time his body has not been recovered, however his family is convinced he has passed. We are opening the Boat School classroom out of respect to his family members who are coming to the celebration of his life from across the United States.
Please know that you are all invited and encouraged to attend if you possibly can. (Please pass this note on to others who you feel should know about this ceremony.)
It is with great sadness that we announce that Robert Troy Craig, beloved husband of Denise Craig and a member of the Class of 2013 at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, has passed away. There will be a get-together in his honor on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at the Port Townsend Brewing Company from 5-8pm.
Troy Craig was one of the most outstanding students graduated from the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. He was a much admired, loved and respected student of Chief Instructor Sean Koomen. Troy was always the first one in and the last one out of the shop each day. His discipline and strong work ethic inspired the students around him to excel. Troy’s craftsmanship was exemplary. He is shown above with the laminated tiller he built for the sailboat Azulita. He was proud of his work on the tiller, but modest about it. He was reluctant to have his photo taken with it in case it seemed that he was “bragging.”
“Troy was such a special part of our boat building community. Everyone loved him! He was a stellar Boat builder and craftsman.”
At right are Denise and Troy Craig at Troy’s graduation from the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. This was a happy day for both of them as the intense school experience was behind Troy and he was eager to launch into his maritime trades career. You can access other photos of Troy from the Boat School at: https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=31273774@N02&q=troy%20craig
Kai Lorenz graduated with the Class of 2012 from the Contemporary Boatbuilding program at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Kai became part of a team of 5 graduates who were hired to complete the largest boat ever built at the school – a Bob Perry designed 62-foot yacht whose working name was “Sliver.” She is now complete and named Francis Lee. Kai was a steady worker who could stay at a task for hours on end without waivering. He squeezed into tight spaces with grace and always knew how to place boards and other supports to help him get into areas with the proper support for his body while working. Kai has a keen with and we will miss him here at the boat school. Good luck, Kai, with your career!
Board President David Blessing and Executive Director Peter M. Leenhouts in front of the Chamberlin-36 motor sailor.
Port Hadlock, WA, July 3rd, 2014 –
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (NWSWB) announced today that Peter M. Leenhouts has officially resigned from his two-year post as Executive Director.
In his statement to the NWSWB Board of Directors, Leenhouts explained his future plans, saying that he was proud that he successfully led the School through a period of growth while returning the School to financial viability, and that he was departing to prepare for his Presidency of the East Jefferson Rotary Club in 2015.
“I’ve worked hard over these years to bring the Boat School into the strongest position for the future,” Leenhouts said. “We have faced some significant challenges, but the growth and development of the School has been outstanding. It’s been an honor to lead and to contribute my talents to an educational institution that I care about so deeply.”
During Leenhouts’ time as Executive Director he led the School through a successful Renewal of Accreditation inspection, doubled enrollment, significantly enhanced graduation and employment percentages for alumni, improved instructor training opportunities, increased the School’s national and international visibility and worked hard to ensure that the majority of boats under the school’s construction are commissioned.
Leenhouts is particularly proud of his accomplishments in developing an aggressive program to enhance the School’s compliance with accreditation standards. These efforts were rewarded during the 2013 Renewal of Accreditation when inspectors confirmed that survey results of students and staff were among the highest they had ever seen.
Leenhouts obtained and managed a highly visible three-boat commission from the British Broadcasting Corporation, boats used to recreate famed explorer John Wesley Powell’s exploration and descent of the Colorado River in 1869. This project was supported on camera by one of the School’s instructors and provided international visibility for the school. Another significant commission for the School was the Carl Chamberlin 36-foot motor sailor, a three-year project by a well-known local designer.
David Blessing, President of the NWSWB Board of Directors, stated, “We appreciate Pete’s service to the school. His strong commitment has helped put the School on a firm path for the future.”
The Board of Directors at the School is currently seeking candidates to fill Leenhouts’ position after his departure. In the interim period, Board President David Blessing has stepped in to serve as Interim Executive Director until a suitable replacement can be found.
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is an accredited, private nonprofit vocational school whose mission for 33 years has been to teach and preserve traditional and contemporary wooden boatbuilding skills while developing the individual as a craftsman.
For more information, contact:
David Blessing, President, NWSWB Board of Directors
360-385-4948
Director @nwswb.edu
NOTE: Pete is a retired career U.S. Navy Officer. After he retired, he returned to attend all three boat building courses at the School, one after the other – Contemporary first, then Traditional Small Craft, and finally Traditional Large Craft.
Pete wrote dozens of stories and news articles about the School, took tens of thousands of pictures of our students, staff and boats, served on the Board of Directors, and in the spring of 2012 was hired as Director.
If it involved the School, boatbuilding, marine history, woodworking, old tools, marine photography, books and/or magazines or even tall tales or sea stories about these interests, he was your man. Pete is a long-time woodworker who enjoys boat building in his home shop where he has a Bolger Clam Skiff under construction.
Congratulations to Caro Clark, Cyrus Dworsky, Johnathan Ishmael, Eric Kay, Penelope Partrdige and Gary Ragsdale for their 2014 graduation from the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding’s 9-Month Programs!
CLASS OF 2014 at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. We have six students who are graduating tomorrow (June 20, 2014) after completing the School’s 9-month program. The remainder will graduate in September after completing the 12-month program. Good luck students and be sure to stay in touch with us! We are so proud of you!
Pictured roughly left to right are: Johnathan Ishmael, Austin Hatch, Chuck Garrett, Mike Lee, Pamela Roberts, Lafayette Duvall, Ryan Wilmsmeier, Matthew Shaunessy, Korey Ruben, Ben Kahn, Mussa Ulenga, Caleb Underwood, Pete Leenhouts, Steve Kim, Sam Hunt, Galen Brake, Corey Rodgers, Jacob Simmering, Bruce Blatchley, Bobby Bowen, Drew Larson, Peter Flint, Caro Clark, Jesse Long, Eric Kay, Jeff Hammond, Alex Finn, Reuben Ewan, Penelope Partridge, Adrian Candaux, Brian Standerfer, Rw Barrett, Michael Voderberg, Alan Fenwick, John Sandoval, Gary Ragsdale, Mark Paxton, Russell Bates, Andrew McGilvra, Cyrus Dworsky, Peter Bailey, and Bradley Suedekum.
Troy Craig and wife look forward to the summer and future work in boat building.
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding celebrated its graduation ceremony for 9-Month Program students on June 14, 2013 at the School. Graduates represented programs in Small Craft Construction, Large Craft Construction and Contemporary Wooden Boatbuilding.
Graduates receiving their diplomas were:
Carey Anderson – Small Craft Gabriel Boylan – Large Craft Patrick Carlisle – Large Craft Troy Craig – Contemporary Jack Dunton – Large Craft Andrew Micks – Large Craft Michael Murphy – Contemporary Randy Roberts – Small Craft –
Masaki Tabohashi, Carey Anderson, and Randy Roberts enjoy the reception and cake.Patrick Carlisle and wife
Graduates of the Boat School go on to explore successful careers in traditional boat yards, yacht manufacturing, maritime history museums, educational institutions, wooden boat repair, restoration and replication, rocket industries, fine furniture making and even musical instrument building.
Employment statistics for graduates of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding were high over a six year period averaging from 75% – 90% – including data from our students who enter the school expressly pursuing boat building as a hobby. We are proud of the career successes of our graduates and feel confident that this group will report back the same types of successes we have previously seen from the Boat School.
Andrew Micks dreams about the next steps in his career.
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding maintains a job referral service for graduates, including assistance with resumes, digital portfolios, interview preparation and job application processes. Graduates from the School know that their relationship with the School and with the network of graduates from across the globe will only deepen over time.
Congratulations, graduates, and best of luck with your future goals and endeavors! Contact the Boat School if we can help you in any way as you move forward on the next steps of your life.
Gabriel Boylan works on a repair and restoration project.
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Michael Murphy works on the interior of the Sentinel 24 sailboat.
The winning poster for the 37th Annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival was designed by Sarah Felder, alumnus of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Felder attended the Boat School in the 2011-12 school year and distinguished herself as a dedicated traditional wood craftsperson and student.
