LeisureCourses.net – short courses & residential study breaks in great locations

Ever wondered what thwarts or cold moulding are? This ‘boat building beginners’ course looks at how different boats are shaped and why, terminology, construction methods, materials, propulsion, sails and rigs and rigging. Unusually for the Academy this is a classroom based course, but workshop walkabouts and strolls to the harbour and Cornish Pilot Gig shed mean legs are regularly stretched.

Instructed by Colin Henwood, of Henwood and Dean, master the techniques for producing a high grade paint or varnish finish; removing old coatings, preparing surfaces and applying the new finish.

Start with the basics of working safely with polyester based glass reinforced plastic (aka GRP) and understand the functions of components (e.g. resin, catalyst, pigments) before moving on to practical hands-on activities from gel coat repairs and colour matching to larger hull repairs requiring temporary moulds and formers. Six students maximum.

Set up building frames and construct the backbone for modern and traditional wooden boats. Produce the stem, keel, hog and transom for a small dinghy and fit the components together to form the backbone.  Also covers the theory of setting up for cold moulded, strip planked and carvel builds and includes a workshop tour of the set-up stage of the boats being built on our flagship course.

Get insight into and practical experience of the construction of traditional clinker and carvel craft. Learn and practise tool sharpening, scarfing, fitting, planks, riveting and steaming. Set-up theory and lining-off planks is also covered.

Get insight into and practical experience of the construction of traditional clinker and carvel craft. Learn and practise tool sharpening, scarfing, fitting, planks, riveting and steaming. Set-up theory and lining-off planks is also covered.

Shape and fit glued clinker and cold moulded planks, practice methods of strip planking and stitch and tape boat building. Learn the basics of scarfing (lengthening planking timbers) and lamination of timber components. Understand the theory of modern methods for setting up building moulds, backbone arrangements and lining-off planks.

Learn rope work techniques using three strand, double and single braids. Learn whipping and make grommets, back, eye and other useful splices.

A five day melting pot of traditional and more modern techniques. Practical activities include tool sharpening, timber preparation, scarfing, gluing, removal and re-fitting of planks, riveting and steam bending. Time permitting you will refit internal components (e.g. thwarts, risers and knees). If you would like to bring your own boat for the group to work on please send details and photos of the boat.

Design, cut shapes, machine/hand sew and maintain traditional sails for anything from a small dinghy to a round-the-world yacht. Learn modern sail making techniques using a Sailrite sewing machine and hand stitching for emergency repairs and final finishing. It may be possible to make sails for yourself, contact us for details.

An absolute beginner’s introduction to the hand and power tools and materials used by boat builders and furniture makers. This is a classroom-based course with some very simple bench work.

Set solid foundations in tool sharpening and maintenance, wood selection and preparation. Make basic joints including framing and lengthening joints. An intensive four day course suitable for beginners as well as those with a little (perhaps school day) experience. You will make a bespoke picture frame to take away with you.

Impress your friends with the beauty of your lapped and through dovetail joints. Using your new skills you will make a simple dovetail box with a lid to take home. The course follows on from ‘Basic Woodworking 1’, but is also suitable for people with other basic woodworking experience. Contact us to find out if this is an appropriate course for you.

Learn basic routing and wood bending and expand your dovetailing skills. You will make a curved, dovetailed box to take home. To join you should be practically minded with a little woodworking experience. This course builds on skills learned in ‘Basic Woodworking 1 and 2’.

Improve your woodworking skills using bandsaw, router and biscuit jointer to make one of three pieces (chair, side or wine table) to take home. Expert designer/maker Mark Ripley instructs on design principles and ergonomics before you make joints, assemble, sand and wax your piece. You need some woodworking experience to join this course.

Ever wondered what thwarts or cold moulding are? This ‘boat building beginners’ course looks at how different boats are shaped and why, terminology, construction methods, materials, propulsion, sails and rigs and rigging. Unusually for the Academy this is a classroom based course, but workshop walkabouts and strolls to the harbour and Cornish Pilot Gig shed mean legs are regularly stretched.

Set up building frames and construct the backbone for modern and traditional wooden boats. Produce the stem, keel, hog and transom for a small dinghy and fit the components together to form the backbone. Also covers the theory of setting up for cold moulded, strip planked and carvel builds and includes a workshop tour of the set-up stage of the boats being built on our flagship ’long’ course.

Shape and fit glued clinker and cold moulded planks, practice methods of strip planking and stitch and tape boat building. Learn the basics of scarfing (lengthening planking timbers) and lamination of timber components. Understand the theory of modern methods for setting up building moulds, backbone arrangements and lining-off planks.

Start with the basics of working safely with polyester based glass reinforced plastic (aka GRP) and understand the functions of components (e.g. resin, catalyst, pigments) before moving on to practical hands-on activities from gel coat repairs and colour matching to larger hull repairs requiring temporary moulds and formers. Six students maximum.

Set solid foundations in tool sharpening and maintenance, wood selection and preparation. Make basic joints including framing and lengthening joints. An intensive four day course suitable for beginners as well as those with a little (perhaps school day) experience. You will make a bespoke picture frame to take away with you.

Impress your friends with the beauty of your lapped and through dovetail joints. Using your new skills you will make a simple dovetail box with a lid to take home. The course follows on from ‘Basic Woodworking 1’, but is also suitable for people with other basic woodworking experience. Contact us to find out if this is an appropriate course for you.

Learn basic routing and wood bending and expand your dovetailing skills. You will make a curved, dovetailed box to take home. To join you should be practically minded with a little woodworking experience. This course builds on skills learned in ‘Basic Woodworking 1 and 2’.

No woodworking skills required to learn the intricate art of marquetry. Make simple motifs before progressing to more complex designs. You will also learn parquetry, shading and finishing techniques. You will take home at least two coasters and a decorative panel and some of the tools used to produce them.

Learn how to restore and repair antique furniture, reviving original patination and finishes. Guided by master restorer Christopher Booth you will reduce furniture to component parts, clean and repair joints and match veneers, stringing and timber for colour and quality and revive brassware and other decorations. You may work on a piece of your own furniture; please submit photographs in advance of the course.