boatbuilding
Become a patron, commission a boat.
Want to contribute towards the skill development and confidence building we foster in our programs? Commission a boat and inspire our apprentices by supporting an unforgettable experience. To find out more about our current projects, click here.
Why commission a boat with us?
If you are interested in acquiring or restoring a traditional wooden boat, there are many reasons to consider having it built or restored at the Apprenticeshop. The cost to build is reasonable compared to commercial shops. By commissioning a boat with us, you not only end up with a beautiful wooden vessel, but you play a key role in training apprentices in the craft of boatbuilding. As a patron, you also have the opportunity to visit and check in on progress, engage with the builders, and become a part of our community. Each boat that leaves our shop becomes part of an international Apprenticeshop fleet that numbers in the hundreds and has been growing for more than three decades.
We specialize in traditional wooden boats, ranging from small, flat-bottom skiffs to lobster boats and sailboats up to 30’ in length. We also restore boats on occasion. While a handful of smaller boats are built on spec, the vast majority of projects our apprentices work on are commissioned by private individuals. Your boat will be constructed with the finest traditional materials available under the supervision of a master boatbuilder to ensure the highest levels of craftsmanship in execution.
Susan St. John | Commissioner of the 32’ Pilot Gig Spirit “Yes, the price at the Apprenticeshop was competitive. Yet one of the priceless values was to see, to feel, the support of the Ashop, of the hands-on learning by apprentices. I was able to be part of the process, meeting, sometimes working alongside the apprentices and the master-builders who oversaw the creation of the vessel. It is an honor, and a humbling one, to be part of the support of such a community, everyone learning day by day, rivet by rivet, plank by plank, watching all of us become more human human beings. We named her SPIRIT, as that is what the Ashop in every way exemplifies.”
Lisa Dingle | Commissioner of the 26’ "Cliffy" Lobsterboat “When we commissioned the boat with the school...we knew the process would be a longer one than it would have been had we decided to work with a commercial boat yard. That was part of the draw, for me especially. I was signing up for an experience that placed me in the midst of the learning and growing and teaching...It just felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity…It really is one of the coolest experiences, slowly watching a wooden boat come into its own through the learning and teaching of skills and techniques that have been honed, tried, and found to be true over thousands of years. It’s the stuff of goosebumps and gratitude.”
How to commission a boat?
The first step is to get in contact with us whether you have a specific design in mind or are looking for something that meets a certain need. We can furnish you with a number of examples of boats we have built in the past if you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for. The quality of work coming out of our shop is of great importance to us and we work closely with owners to make sure that the timeline of completion will meet their expectations while also aligning with the ‘Shop’s schedule.
For questions about commissioning a boat contact Shop Director Kevin Carney at kevinc@apprenticeshop.org.