An inside look at the activities and projects happening in the shops.
Winter Quarter Shop Talk
Students are busier than ever! With so much happening in the shops, it’s hard to keep track of the immense progress and learning that’s happening all over campus. Check out this Shop Talk video to get up to speed. Marine Systems students embark on outboards, while the boatbuilding students are working hard to finish up their troller, deck the lobster boat, assemble molds for the sid skiff, and more.
December 2023
In this episode, we kick off with the Marine Systems shop as students conclude their quarter by designing and building electrical boards. These projects mark the culmination of their theoretical and practical knowledge, blending lectures with hands-on installation and testing. Boat building students transition from foundational skills to constructing their first skiff, celebrating with their first whiskey plank before the end of the first quarter. Meanwhile, Prothero intern Jeff focuses on engine installation and integrating plumbing and electrical systems for the Troller project. On the Folkboat, Prothero intern Pearl completes the dry fitting of a complex stern drawer system.
November 2023
In the latest edition of Shop Talk ,Boatbuilding students are immersed in various hands-on projects, such as half models and dovetail toolboxes, showcasing their skills in layout, design, and tool use. With the changing season, the focus has shifted to lofting, where teams tackle the intricate task of drawing full-sized boat plans. In the Marine Systems class, students are progressing from installing electrical components on flat panels to more advanced work on mock-ups with authentic boat shapes, while also gearing up for the upcoming module on marine plumbing. And we’ve got updates on different boat projects, including exhaust systems for the 24’ Troller and the installation of electric pod drives for the 25’ Folkboat.
October 2023
Check out what’s happening at the Northwest School of Wooden BoatBuilding in our most recent edition of Shop Talk. With a new class just starting in October, boat building students start with hand tool skills and work on various projects, including making bevel gauges and mallets. Marine Systems students learn about basic tools and techniques for installing electrical components on boats, as well as working with wood, metal, and composites. You’ll also get a view into the boat projects Prothero interns are working on including a 24’ Troller, 30’ Lobster Boat, and 25’ Folkboat. And on-campus sailmakers, Northwest Sails and Canvas, work on sail layout and construction for Sampson Boat Co.’s Tally Ho restoration project.
