Events

The next launch is Wednesday 12 June 2013.

5th December 2012 - Class of March 2012 Launch Day

A great celebration warmed the chilly winter air on 5th December as seventeen Boat Building Academy students launched their boats into Lyme Regis Harbour.  Once again the sun shone brilliantly for Launch Day, a biannual event that celebrates the end of each 38-week boat building course.

The champagne flowed as each boat was launched with cheer by the awe-inspired crowd, as the students grinned with pride enjoying their maiden voyages .  Conditions were perfect for sailing with many heading out east towards Weymouth. 

The students started at the Academy on 12th March, many were complete beginners at woodworking.  Below are photographs of the day, from workshop to water. 

Special thanks to photographers Jenny Steer and BBA Graduate Derek Thompson LRPS for their photos.  The rest have been taken by staff and students.

To find out more about the students of the Class of March 2012 click here.

For more information take a look at our Long Course and build your own boat pages.

Setting up the rigging on "Glóey"	Boats awaiting the parade to the harbour

Florence, a 16' 8" glued clinker, Iain Oughtred Fulmar

Rubee, 7" 9' Iain Oughtred Humble Bee dinghy, traditional clinker

Amethyst, a 14' traditional clinker Paul Gartside Skylark	Graciela, a 22' stitch and tape Selway Fisher slipper launch

"Glóey" - the Academy's first boat to feature portholes, is a strip planked Paul Gartside cutter

Néla, a 15' strip planked Canoe Craft 'Ranger'

Néla	Graciela (top and below)

Florence

19.6' cold moulded Fast touring kayak

Jesta, a Joel White 14' Peapod, strip planked.

Students Rob and Kyle with their gorgeous wee pram dinghy Rubee

James rigging Amethyst	Jesta awaiting her maiden voyage

Close inspections of Ewan's touring kayak

Managing Director of Elvstrom Sails, Jeremy White with BBA Instructor Matthew Law	All the way from Switzerland, BBA Graduate Anna (right) with her husband Beat (left) and Craig, the Academy's Machinist in the middle

Opening speeches from Cmdr Tim Gedge, BBA Director, and Town Mayor Sally Holman

"Glóey" making her way to the harbour	Champagne to celebrate

"Glóey", the build started at the end of June 2012, ending in December 2012.  Click the link to the boat build diary.

Florence feels the water for the first time

Next up isAmethyst

Students Mark, Scott and Jade	Will with his slipper launch

L-R, Gail McGarva, Academy Graduate, Matthew Law and Will Reed Academy Instructors

Tim's turn to take the plunge in Jesta

Plain sailing

Jade being filmed by ITV Westcountry	Visitors to the launch National Maritime Museum Cornwall Boat Collection Manager Andy Wyke with colleague Mike Selwood.

Ewan's skinny touring kayak

Ewan's takes a rolling plunge in the background...

Ryan and Dom try out Nela, Ryan's beautiful 'Ranger' canoe

Kyle with Rubee, named after his Grandmother who celebrated her 90th birthday during the course, with the double 'ee' a nod to the boat's design, the 'Humble Bee'

Last but not least was Kyle's traditional clinker Oughtred 'Humble Bee', Rubee

Certificate presentation time...

Extra special awards goes to Hassle	and Jack for superior dog qualities.

Congratulations to Class of March 2012