tnw bend		tnw pdx		international

boat building

sf home

contact us

register

youth

summer camps

adult

survival skills

boat building

immersion

youTube

social net

links

Feature of the week!

TrackersNW built and umiak with a group of 30 8th graders from Portland Waldorf School. This is their story as told by Ernie, our giant crazy norwegian sailor who we love.

Umiak Boat Building Workshop
Ages 16-ADULT, August 9, 2008- August 16, 2008

Spend a week building a 22’ skin-on-frame boat along the water’s edge at the Berkeley Boathouse.  Participants in the program can camp out in our yurt if needed. Kitchen and bathroom facilities will be available 24 hrs. Basketball Court onsite. Lunches provided! Close to downtown Berkeley, easy Bart ride to SF. Grocery store within 5 minutes walking distance! Surrounded by parks, it is a beautiful place for an evening stroll, row or sail.

Skin boats have evolved and been put to the test over thousands of years of heavy use in some of the most dangerous water conditions in the world. Umiaks were used in the arctic as hunting vessels and transport carriers. They were built up to 50’ long and carried entire villages across vast stretches of the Bering Sea. These boats are light enough for a few people to haul themon shore. Originally the boats used sealskin and walrus hide, our modernalternative is a durable ballistic nylon that withstands heavy impact and abrasion. A Polyurethane coating is applied to the skin for waterproofing and added strength.

The boat built in the workshop will be used extensively in our Small Boat Wandering Class held in September. Participants in the umiak building workshop will be offered a discounted rate on our marine expeditions tracking classes.

Our Schedule of Days

The first day we go over the basics of boat design and evolution. Then, together with staff, all the participants design the boat on paper. The next day we lay out the shape of the hull fitting Gunwales and Headboards and bending them to our desired beam, while building a temporary Strongback on which to construct the boat. Then we attach the stem and stern posts, and fit the keel. Once the backbone is complete we install a center mold and lay out stringers to get the exact hull shape we want. Wood slats are then steamed and bent to the shape of the stringers and fitted into notches in the gunwales. Then we set to work lashing every joint on the boat with knotwork as old as the hills. Next comes fitting and sewing the Skin, and finally applying the waterproof urethane coating. On the last day we will put the boat in the water play and toast our hard work.

We will also construct oars to power our vessel, as well as rudder, daggerboard and spars. We will run an introductory sailmaking and canvas class near the end of the workshop.

Instructors Casey Nutt and Helder Parreira are experienced boat builders who are committed to producing quality boats and spreading traditional building and maritime skills. Ingrid Good has been sewing professionally for many years, both as seamstress and canvasworker. She has taught many industrial sewing classes.

Umiak Boat Building Workshop Includes The method of construction relies mostly on hand tools, and is accessible to people of all ages. Everyone will walk away from the workshop with a greater knowledge of... wood identification and selection hand tool use boat design steam bending joinery knot tying sewing A team of expert instructors work with students on... Woodworking Boat Building Principles Boating Safety Maritime craft and lore Paddle and oar making Sailmaking and canvaswork Who Ages 16-ADULT (children under 11-15 years welcome when accompanied by adult) When August 9, 2008- August 16, 2008 Where Berkley Boathouse, San Francisco CA Fee $250 early registration (June 21st cutoff), $320 late registration, 15% discount given to registered TrackersSF's small boat wandering class participants Limited to 16 participants Register Online (below) or by mail Add to cart View Cart

Compass ContactRegisterBlogTrackers International

Get our eZine A bi-monthly eMagazine about natural health, local natural history and wild skills.

send text emails SF Adult Programs SF Youth Programs International

 

 

View Larger Map

Location

Berkeley Boathouse is a project of Waterside Workshops, a 501(c)3 non profit organization. We provide a creative hands on  approach to teaching life and career skills while keeping alive the art of wooden boatbuilding. Our organization provides classes and a small boat yard facility to the east bay community. Our focus is to serve the entire community, ranging from disadvantaged youth to privileged adults. Waterside Workshops is bringing new life and awareness to Aquatic Park’s natural environment and social fabric.

Tucked in along the water's edge, the site features a thriving Bird habitat, islands, parks, organic gardens, natural building projects, sewing shop, bike shop, kitchen, bathroom, shower and a yurt classroom. It is a quick walk to the laid back berkeley marina where there are numerous parks and restaurants. The Berkeley pier is a good fishing spot and fresh crab is often for sale here.
This beautiful site is the venue for our regular after school boatbuilding and sewing programs. As well as primitive skills and natural building workshops.

 

Staff The skilled staff of TrackersNW includes experienced regional wilderness educators on the leading edge of place-based education. We are committed to safety and fun in unique outdoor education experiences.