We Build Boats on Commission

Dreaming of owning a beautiful, hand-crafted wooden boat of your own? Our apprentices, skilled volunteers, and professional boat building instructors will work together to build your dream boat at a very reasonable cost. Not only will you end up with a uniquely beautiful boat, but you will be helping to support our program activities.  If you like, you can join our Wednesday night crew of volunteers and help build it yourself.

We prefer to take on traditional lap-strake and skin-on-frame boats because the construction methods and materials are consistent with the types of skills and values we teach our youth, and because we prefer to avoid the use of toxic chemicals.  We have built a number of plywood/epoxy and strip/epoxy boats in the past, however, and will consider such projects if they are proposed.

Norwegian Pram
This is an eye-catching piece of true Scandinavian heritage. This versatile boat rows beautifully, could be rigged for sail, or could be efficiently powered by an electric trolling motor. It also makes a wonderful tow-behind dingy for larger boats.  Its simple construction allows us to offer it for $1,800. Easy-to-maintain oil finish.  Can be built in a range of sizes from 10' to 15'.

Interested? Email UBB

11' Flat Bottom Skiff
(see information about this boat on the Boats for Sale page)

Nordic Pram
The Nordic Pram was designed by the famous yacht designer, Nathaniel Herreshoff.  It is a highly refined (yachty) version of the simple Norwegian Pram shown above with black walnut transoms and knees, steam-bent white oak frames, and thousands of rivets.  We will build this boat for $2,800.

Interested?  Email UBB

18' Skin-on-Frame Greenland Kayak or Skin-on-Frame Canoe
(see information about these boats on the Boats for Sale page)

Classic Wee Lassie 13' Solo Canoe
The Wee Lassie is an extremely light-weight one-person canoe that was designed by Henry Rushton in the late 1880's.  It's a beautiful craft with cedar planking, steam-bent white oak ribs, and cherry or black walnut trim.  We will build you this classic for $1,995.  

Interested? Email UBB

Boats that We Finish/Restore

Occasionally, individuals or organizations donate partially finished boats, boats in need of restoration, or unassembled boat kits. Our apprentices, volunteers, and skilled professional staff then finish them to a high standard of quality and offer them for sale.  Currently, we have three boats in this category -- two 90-year old wood-canvas canoes (an Old Town and a Morris), and a Chesepeake Light Craft Skerry.  The Old Town and the Skerry have been completed and are listed on our For Sale page.  

If you have a restorable or partially completed boat that you would like to donate or hire us to finish, please contact us.

Have another design in mind? Contact us -- we'll tell you if it's feasible and give you an estimate.

Email UBB