"Ganymede" is a brand new design by Nick Schade: An easy-to-handle recreational kayak, fun to paddle and fast and easy to build.

I am privileged to take over the reins for this class from Ted Moores who had taught at the WoodenBoat School for 17 years. Ted is a godfather to all those who now build small boats using the strip-planked, fiberglass and epoxy method. He started this class at the WoodenBoat School building two canoes.

Once again I will be leading students through the building of the Stitch and Glue Night Heron from a pile of plywood pieces through a fully assembled sea kayak at the WoodenBoat School in Brooklin, Maine.

This fast-pace class is suitable for anyone from novice woodworkers who want an introduction to boatbuilding, through experienced boat builders who want to learn about stitch and glue kayak building and fiberglass work.

Sea kayaking is the sport of taking a small boat out on to the big ocean. You could buy an ordinary plastic kayak, or you could build your own which will be lighter, faster, better looking and more fun than any you can buy. This fast-paced class will take students through the major phases of building a “Night Heron” sea kayak. Using the “Stitch-and-glue” construction method, each student will go home with his or her own kayak. Some finish work will be required when they get home. Students will learn some basic woodworking skill as well as how to work with fiberglass and epoxy.

Go home with your own beautiful wooden kayak paddle. This class will occur over 4 consecutive Thursday evenings. You will make a modern wide-blade laminated wooden kayak paddle.

This class will be held at the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking and they will handle the registration.

New Class

"Ganymede" is a new design intended to be a small, easy to handle recreational kayak, that is fun to paddle and easy to build. I will be teaching this class at IYRS in Newport, RI.

Once again I will be teaching the Building Your One Night Heron Sea Kayak class at 6-day class you will go home with your own Stitch and Glue Night Heron, fully assembled and ready for sanding and varnishing. This is a fast paced learning experience where I lead you through all the steps to build your own boat.

Over the course of 4 evenings you will learn how to make your own modern wooden kayak paddle. The paddle can be adapted for sea kayaking, recreational boating or white water. You will learn about laminating, scarfing, shaping wood and fiberglassing. The resulting paddle will be lightweight and strong.