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Using the sound, simple methods of modern skin-on-frame construction, learn the elements of boat building while you spend a few enjoyable days in a beautiful place. No prior experience is necessary. See Classes and Events to learn about our various classes held in Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. |
Choose the type and size of
boat you wish to build from the options listed below and contact BBBS
to arrange dates and times for classes.
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Our canoes weigh between 17 lbs for our new 10½’ solo light model up to 40 pounds for the new 15½’ version. The smaller boats are perfect for ponds, flat water rivers, estuaries and all but the largest lakes, while the new 15½’ canoe can be used for tripping across larger waters. Our 13½’ Kayak weighs about 35 pounds - much lighter than wooden or fiberglass boats.
Note: The costs listed below apply to courses offered only at our home base in Sheffield, MA. For information about courses taught elsewhere, check the websites listed in Classes and Events: Spring, Summer, Fall. |
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Many of our students prefer to set up their own classes at convenient times, often on consecutive weekends. |
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| In these inexpensive courses offered at sites in MA, NY, and VT, we will typically build an ultra light (20 pound), skin-on-frame, double paddle canoe or 11½’ kayak. However, students designing their own course can build any of our boats. Students will be given a list of materials sources and a step-by-step written explanation of the skin-on-frame building process, so that — with the additional aid of their own notes and photographs from this course — they will be able to build their own skin-on-frame canoe
or kayak.
Depending on the number of students, we will build one or possibly two boats, which will be raffled off at the end of the class, with a charge to cover the cost of materials and fabricating the basic parts, which is about one-half the cost of the five day course.
Tuition: $100 a day at our home base in Sheffield. For tuitions at other locations, see the appropriate websites listed in Classes and Events:
Spring, Summer, Fall. |
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During both our scheduled classes and our specially arranged classes, you can modify all of the boats described below: Lengthen or shorten the boat; make it deeper or less deep; or narrow or widen it at the bow, stern, and/or center. Look at the plans and photos in our Store for ideas and then contact us for more details. |
Build a Custom Canoe
or Kayak (4-8 days)
You can build a custom skin-on-frame boat by modifying the boats described below or by using other plans. This has become our most popular course. The website www.gaboats.com is an excellent source of skin-on-frame plans and inspirations. Costs vary according to the boat we build. |
Build the NEW Solo Light, a 10½’ Canoe (5 days)
27" wide, 9" deep, weighs about 18 pounds, maneuvers easily, and carries 250 pounds. Since this canoe is easy to car-top, you'll find yourself using it frequently. Its delicate lines and light weight make this boat my favorite.
Tuition: $545 (partner: $300)
Materials: $450 |
Build the Solo Carry, a 11½' Canoe (5 days)
28" wide, 9½" deep, weighs about twenty pounds, maneuvers easily, and carries 300 pounds. Since this canoe is easy to car-top, you'll find yourself using it frequently.
Tuition: $545 (partner: $300)
Materials: $450 |
Build the Solo/Tandem 13½’ Canoe (5 days)
30" wide, 10" deep, weights about 32 lbs., carries 320 lbs. Perfect for a day's paddle and a picnic. Rig it as a solo, a tandem with a carrying yoke, or as a solo/tandem.
Tuition: $700 (partner: $300)
Materials: $550 |
Build the NEW solo/Tandem 15½’ Canoe (5 days)
31" wide, 10" deep, designed for cruising and canoe camping, tracks well, weights about 37 lbs., carries 400 lbs.
Tuition: $750 (partner: $300)
Materials: $600 |
Build one of our NEW Solo Carry Kayaks, either 11½’ or 13½’ (6 days)
These two recreational kayaks have a large cockpit, are 28” wide and weigh either 28 or 35 lbs., depending on the length. Much lighter than store-bought boats and extremely maneuverable.
Tuition:$800
Materials: $550 |
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| Hilary Russell has helped teenagers and adults
build more than one hundred canoes, kayaks, coracles, umiaks and
pulling boats. He has perfected the use of both nylon and
polyester skins
over white cedar, spruce and willow frames, producing light, durable,
beautiful vessels that combine "skin-boat" simplicity
with high-tech materials. |
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The Boat Building School is located 200 yards
west of Route 7 at 98 Berkshire School Road in Sheffield, Massachusetts,
in the southwest corner of the state.
Click
for directions |
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| We welcome all interested and willing students,
whether they are experienced boat builders or beginners. The
only necessary requirement is a strong desire to build your
own boat. |
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We recommend these
B&B's, all of which are close by:
The Staveleigh House (800-980-2129)
The Berkshire 1802 House (413-229-2612)
Birch Hill (413-229-2143)
The Sheffield Inn (413-229-9992) |
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Please include one half
of your total cost with your registration, and pay
the balance at the first class. If you
must cancel, we will return your deposit less $50, provided
that we receive your notice of cancellation at least two weeks
before your first session. If we receive your notice
of cancellation less than two weeks before the first session
we cannot refund your deposit. In case of unforeseen circumstances,
the Berkshire Boat Building School reserves the right to cancel
any or all courses and will return deposits. |
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| Educators receive a 15% discount, and students who are not educators can receive
a 10% discount if their application
and deposit are received 6 weeks before the class. |
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| When we receive
your application and deposit, we will notify you and confirm
your registration. Click
here for our registration form. |
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| After you are registered, we will send you some
suggested reading and a list of hand tools you will need for
the course. |
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| Classes: 8:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
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Contact Hilary
Russell
PO Box 578
Sheffield, MA 01257
Telephone: 413- 229-2549
Email: hemlockgrange@earthlink.net |
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| Proud mom and daughter with their
12' Sumiak, a scaled down arctic Umiak designed by Skip
Snaith. |
One weeks’ work |
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| Kayak interior |
Heading home |
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| Website: sbcdesign.com |
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NEW! This 150 page book, with its 120 photographs and drawings, details how you can build light, beautiful skin-on-frame boats. $25, includes mailing. Click for details or to buy. Look inside!
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| Our new 10½’ canoe in the narrow end version and our new 15½’ canoe rigged with a yoke. |
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At the Essex Shipbuilding Museum
in Essex, MA |
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| Our new 10½’ canoe with cherry trim. |
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| Our new 11½’ Solo Carry Kayak – plans available in two lengths. See more in the Building Kayaks Gallery. |
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| I built this 13½’ x 28” solo boat ten years ago. It’s been on from Buzzard’s Bay and Eggemoggin Reach, to ponds, lakes, and rivers in the Berkshires, the Adirondacks, and the Boundry Waters. |
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Our Solo Carry, featured in the Nov./Dec. 2008 and Jan./Feb. 2009 of WoodenBoat magazine. Photo by Amie Knox. Details. |
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| Hilary begins his willow canoe with 40 willow rods and a clear pine 5/4” x 6”. |
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| Our new willow-ribbed canoe on display. See construction photos in the gallery. |
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| At the WoodenBoat Show at the Mystic Seaport Museum. |
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| Hilary and Jenny Russell in her Classic 10, designed by Platt Monfort and modified by Hilary. |
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| Our 9 ½’ currach in on the Slocum’s River in So. Dartmouth, MA. See the Gallery for construction steps. |
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| Jim and Elaine's Canoe on Tupper Lake |
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| Katie with her Aleut style kayak |
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| Some people like to have their boat around all year |
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