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Life-changing opportunities for all

Be part of a unique community of builders and makers – now and for the rest of your life.

Make your passion your future

Be a part of a unique community of builders and makers – now and for the rest of your life.

Make your passion your future

Welcome to the Boat Building Academy

Our world leading courses are focussed on professional training but also provide life-changing opportunities for complete beginners, enthusiasts and those on a gap year.

Learn boat building and woodworking by the sea in the heart of Lyme Regis, on the Dorset coast. From 2 days to 40 weeks, there is a course for everyone.

Our Boat Building and Furniture Making Courses - Beginners welcome

40-week Boat Building course

Our Flagship 40-week Boat Building course

You will learn boat building through a structured programme of skills training and building boats from start to finish. An immersive experience perfectly suited to those starting or enhancing their career, right through to those joining us for the sheer challenge and enjoyment of building boats.

12-week furniture making course

12-week furniture making course

You’ll be immersed in a practical and comprehensive programme of skill building, joinery, drawing, bending, an optional level 3 qualification, a personal design and make project, and much more.

2 to 5-day short courses

2 to 5-day short courses

Boat building, furniture making and more; suitable for all skill levels, from beginners or experienced hobbyists to existing professionals.
Whether you’re looking to refine existing skills or try something new, there’s something for everyone: Sail making, marquetry, chair making, rope work and much more.

40-week Boat Building course

Our Flagship 40-week Boat Building course

You will learn boat building through a structured programme of skills training and building boats from start to finish. An immersive experience perfectly suited to those starting or enhancing their career, right through to those joining us for the sheer challenge and enjoyment of building boats.

12-week furniture making course

12-week furniture making course

You’ll be immersed in a practical and comprehensive programme of skill building, joinery, drawing, bending, an optional level 3 qualification, a personal design and make project, and much more.

2 to 5-day short courses

2 to 5-day short courses

Boat building, furniture making and more; suitable for all skill levels, from beginners or experienced hobbyists to existing professionals.
Whether you’re looking to refine existing skills or try something new, there’s something for everyone: Sail making, marquetry, chair making, rope work and much more.

Join us for launch day

Join us on Wednesday 7th June for the launching of the boats built by the 40-Week Students.

Furniture Making Exhibition

Join us on Friday 31st March for the exhibition of the project pieces designed and made by the 12-week students.

“The 40-week Boat Building course is by far the best thing I have ever done. The teaching is of the highest quality, both in expertise and enthusiasm for the course and the boatbuilding industry in general. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering a career in either woodworking or boatbuilding or even just to learn a new skillset.”

George Soper, 40-week Boat Building Class of May 2021

"Your college has set the benchmark for the future of training craftsmen, which has long been the biggest worry of traditional boat builders and repairers. You deserve to go from strength to strength, and I for one will recommend it to anyone looking for a career in our industry."

Tom Richardson, Owner of Elephant Boatyard, Hampshire

A really useful week! I learned techniques and got some confidence in general woodworking, but the best thing was being able to bring my boat along for the class to work on.
I am extremely grateful for the dedicated concentration on the issues that need sorting for my boat.

Richard Palmer, Wooden Boat Restoration (2022)

The Boat Diaries

Discover our boat building diaries. Follow the construction and progress of the boats currently being built in our workshop, as well as those built on our previous 40-week boat building courses.

18′ STRIP PLANK SAILING BOAT ZINNIA

- Luke O' Connell
Read More

15’6” GLUED CLINKER WESTRAY SKIFF

- Jonathan Bevan
Read More

14′ GARTSIDE GLUED CARVEL ‘SKYLARK’

- Lorraine McGowan
Read More

16′ PLYWOOD ON FRAME INBOARD SPEED BOAT

- Dominic Burger (Self-Designed)
Read More

17′ GARTSIDE STRIP PLANKED OUTBOARD RUNABOUT

- Timothy Odling
Read More

SUPPORT FUTURE BOAT BUILDING AND FURNITURE MAKING STUDENTS BY MAKING A BURSARY DONATION ONLINE

We aim to provide financial help to men and women passionate to train in the crafts of boat building and woodworking.

Recent News and Events

Open Day – Saturday 15th April

Ever wondered what happens behind the workshop doors at the Boat Building Academy? Are you thinking in enrolling on our courses and want to know more?
Join us on Saturday 15th April 11:00 – 16:00 for our 2023 Open Day.

Boat Building Academy @ The National Outdoor Expo

We are going to Birmingham from the 18-19th of March exhibiting in the National Outdoor Expo

Next Launch Day – 7 June 2023 @0900

Join us on Wednesday 7th June for the launching of the boats built by the 40-week Boat Building Class of August ’22.

Open Day – Saturday 15th April

Ever wondered what happens behind the workshop doors at the Boat Building Academy? Are you thinking in enrolling on our courses and want to know more?
Join us on Saturday 15th April 11:00 – 16:00 for our 2023 Open Day.

Boat Building Academy @ The National Outdoor Expo

We are going to Birmingham from the 18-19th of March exhibiting in the National Outdoor Expo

Next Launch Day – 7 June 2023 @0900

Join us on Wednesday 7th June for the launching of the boats built by the 40-week Boat Building Class of August ’22.

Spaces available on our flagship Boat Building course

Spaces available on our 12-week furniture making course

Book our short courses online