Boat Building Academy's latest hand-built wooden boats take to the water in Lyme Regis
by Debbie Granville 10 Dec 2024 06:50 PST
5 December 2024
An 18'6" glued clinker sailing boat was amongst the craft built and launched following the latest 40-week course at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis © BNPS
The latest wooden boats, hand-built by students at the world-renowned Boat Building Academy (BBA) in Lyme Regis, have been launched in the town's historic harbour.
Twelve students undertook the Boat Building Academy and Furniture School's latest 40-week wooden boatbuilding course, spending the first 20 weeks learning skills such as joinery, lofting, traditional, modern and fibre reinforced plastic boatbuilding, and sail making.
In the last 20 weeks they have come together to build three boats, a 19'6"f strip planked, cold moulded 1954 launch (scamp), an 18'6" glued clinker sailing boat and a 7'10" traditional clinker dinghy. This required all their new skills and gruelling days often working long into the night, with the help of their classmates, and support of the BBA's expert tutors.
As is the custom, the craft were wheeled the short distance from the Academy to the harbour slipway before ceremoniously taking to the water for the first time. The spectacle (on December 5) drew a large crowd of well-wishers, including friends, family, BBA trustees, volunteers and local townspeople.
Harry Walker commissioned and built a 19'6" strip planked, cold moulded 1954 launch (scamp) and is taking it back to Worcestershire, where he will also be setting up his own workshop and building more boats.
He said: "I learned a lot on the course and my tutors Mike and Joe have been absolutely great, passing down a lot of their wisdom.
"I'm now looking forward to building more boats and sailing my own boat on the River Severn."
Course student Eirlys Apps worked with Harry on his build and hopes to work as a shipwright when she leaves the course.
"It has not only been hugely helpful for my future career, it has also built up my confidence and strengthened my mental health," she said. "I'll never forget the experience I have had and the amazing people I have met here at the BBA."
BBA Director Will Reed said: "I never tire of launch days. They represent the culmination of 40-weeks of hard work and determination to learn and achieve. The BBA attracts the most wonderful range of students from all different backgrounds and ages. Most of them are starting with very little skill or knowledge of woodwork or boat building, but they rise to the challenge and it's incredible where they get to. The boats are now launched, and we know they work! But more importantly, the students have developed enviable skills and ability to take the next step, be it a boat yard or their own business. They might head to sea, carry on in their own workshop, or using their newfound transferable skills might end up building houses or making beautiful furniture - the opportunities are endless."
Will added: "The launch day itself has been incredible. The weather has been kind, and the boats are beautiful - testament to 40-weeks of hard work and committed learning and development. It's been a joy working with each and every one of the students who all bring their own unique character to the workshops. We have covered a real range of sizes on this course from Jogi's tiny 7'10" traditional clinker sailing dinghy, to Harry's 19' 6" motor launch. And not forgetting Jeremie's incredibly elegant double ended lugger. Launch day is always a little bittersweet - it's sad to see them go but the opportunities are incredibly exciting. And we'll soon get started on the next builds."
Enrolment is now open for the next 40-week course starting in February, 2025.