Each type of wood seems to continue to respond to the environment in and around Restoration Hall in sometimes unpredictable ways, making us wonder whether the boundary between life and death in a tree is as discrete as we often assume. We ask: “Does the incorporation of wood into a boat help to extend its life, imparting a new body and—daresay—even a soul to a former existence?”

As I stood in the predawn hours taking trash to the curb, my head spun with the stress of the various meetings I had scheduled for the day and the number of outstanding issues which required my involvement to resolve.  I muttered under my breath, “There must be a better way.”

I started to dive into both the mechanical and electrical systems on this state-of-the-art boat and realized that this is what I want to do with my career. Following my acceptance into IYRS, I thought to myself, “What is the slowest way to get from Hawaii to Newport?” Naturally, Alaska’s on the way, right?

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing or rapid prototyping is the construction of three-dimensional objects by use of materials including plastic, resin, or powder-media. Typically, these materials are added layer by layer using an X, Y, Z plotter through various means of extrusion, fusion, jetting, deposition, sintering, or lamination.

Newport Neighbors and Portsmouth Living are two popular publications in Rhode Island. Both featured a story about IYRS and our recent Newsweek award as one of the Best Maker Schools in the world. 

I began my IYRS experience in the middle of a pandemic, transitioning from running an international high school boarding program in Rome, Italy to living and working in the United States.

Everyone in the Boatbuilding & Restoration program has a very clear passion for learning the trade. We all come eager to jump into the projects...