Recently, I was asked what my biggest take-away from IYRS has been so far. My answer came to me quickly, it's the people!

Athena Aicher is a 2017 IYRS Boatbuilding & Restoration graduate. Her story will make you want to drop everything, restore a Beetle Cat, and embark on life of sailing adventure. Athena originally shared her story at the Catboat Association's annual meeting in January 2020. Enjoy!

Is 3D printing still exciting?

As the technology continues to improve, it becomes more precise and more affordable. More professional engineers and designers incorporate 3D printers into their businesses, but overall public fascination with 3D printing has flattened. 

Building a wooden boat is like writing a book. It’s difficult, it requires lots of research, practice, patience, and flexibility.

Before the holiday break DMF students were frantically tying up loose ends before departing for some well-needed R&R!

Organizing my tools  was for a time quite an obsession. It started when our 1^st year instructors, Joel and Hans, introduced the Anarchist Tool Chest, both the book and the pine tool chest we were required to construct as part of our joinery project. I, of course, jumped in the deep-end and built a huge toolbox that I was sure would store all the tools I could ever dream of needing. Because let’s face it you can’t have too many tools (can you?)

Two and a half months in, three weeks until the Christmas break, and we have been working in both the classroom and the shop to learn how to effectively use composite materials.  The work has centered on a process of learning in the classroom followed by instructor demonstrations before we are set loose to try on our own.