Learn Boatbuilding & Woodworking at IYRS
Boatbuilding & Restoration | Accredited 20 month program | Meets Monday through Friday, 8:30-5 | Rolling Admissions | Starts in September
Master the craft and fundamentals of woodworking while restoring, building, and finishing classic wooden boats.
The Boatbuilding & Restoration program will train you in the complete wooden boatbuilding process where you’ll learn from expert woodworkers and boatbuilders and work alongside fellow craftspeople. The skills learned in this program set up students to thrive not just as wooden boatbuilders and restorers, but as marine carpenters, furniture makers, historic preservationists, builders, and more.
As the only nationally accredited, two-year wooden boatbuilding program in the country, our hiring partners share that the second year of this program sets our graduates apart with their advanced woodworking and project management skills. Not only that, but our students experience the pride and excitement of launching and sailing the boats they've restored twice, at the conclusion of each school year.
Prior woodworking experience is not necessary, but a passion for creating and building with your hands is. Our immersive boat school sets up students to thrive as highly skilled craftspeople in today’s job market.
The boatbuilding industry is experiencing steady growth, driven by the increasing demand for recreational boating and luxury vessels. According to recent market insights, the industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%-6%. Continuous innovation in boatbuilding ensures strong demand for skilled boat construction professionals, creating numerous job opportunities for boatbuilders.
The recreational boating industry supports over 700,000 jobs nationwide, offering a stable and rewarding career path for IYRS graduates. By enrolling in the Boatbuilding & Restoration program, students position themselves at the forefront of this expanding field, gaining hands-on expertise that aligns with industry needs.
IYRS wooden boat school graduates have a wide array of career paths available to them, working in various marine-related industries.
Typical Work Environments for Boatbuilders:
- Preservation carpenter
- Custom cabinetry & millwork professional
- Boatbuilder
- Marine carpenter
- Classic wooden yacht crew
- Furniture maker
Boatbuilders play an essential role in crafting and restoring vessels. Graduates from our program develop expertise in many aspects of wooden boatbuilding, including frame construction, boat design, finishing, and repairs — all highly valued skills across the marine industry. Whether restoring historical vessels or building classic wooden yachts, IYRS alumni leave the program prepared for fulfilling careers in a variety of maritime sectors.
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YEAR ONE
The first year focuses on the restoration of a traditional plank-on-frame wooden boat. Students will restore and launch a Beetle CatTM, executing every element from research and documentation to hull measurement, lofting, drafting and half-model making, all while developing essential teamwork and project management skills. The highlight of the first year is Launch Day when students launch and sail their newly restored Beetle Cats in Newport Harbor.
YEAR TWO
The second year offers a larger challenge: restoring legends of yacht design including Herreshoff, Alden, Hunt, Stephens, Abeking & Rasmusseun, and others. Students receive training in RHINO computer-aided design and welding. During this year, students refine their craftsmanship skills, undertake project management of the restoration, and work in teams to achieve the important goal of restoring a beautiful classic wooden yacht to the water.
Curriculum
What It's Like to Build a Boat at IYRS
Lyman-Morse | Boatbuilding & Restoration Alumni at Work
APPLY TO THE BOATBUILDING & RESTORATION PROGRAM
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
SHOP SKILLS
- Craftsmanship & Artistry
- Hand & Power Tool Use
- Woodworking Processes & Techniques
- Shop Safety
- Material Properties
- Manual Drafting
- Introduction to CAD
- Lofting
- Steam Bending
- Plank-on-frame Restoration
- Joinery
- Photographic Documentation
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Business Acumen
- Project Management
- Entrepreneurialism
- Teamwork & Communication
- Survey & Assessment
- Time Management
Recent Employers
At IYRS, you’ll go beyond what other boatbuilding schools teach to receive a comprehensive education in marine woodworking. By mastering traditional and contemporary boatbuilding skills, you’ll be ready to tackle any woodworking challenge, from fine furniture making to historic restoration and preservation to home construction.
“IYRS provided extensive education in all things related to working on wooden boats; from lofting to planking and from fine joinery to project management. It allowed me to enter the wooden boat community with not only the theory, but the hands-on experience necessary to build, repair, and restore traditional wooden boats and yachts.”
. - Jens Lange '10, Owner of Baltic Boat Works
NEWSWEEK NAMES IYRS ONE OF THE BEST MAKER SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD
Newsweek named IYRS one of the Best Maker Schools in the world for 2021. Winners of this prestigious award are institutions of higher education that have curricula that encourages learning by doing; are supported by educators committed to collaborative problem-solving; have well-developed makerspaces, labs, and studios; and which support diverse, interactive communities that engage in knowledge and skill sharing. The award highlights institutions with innovative programs that demonstrate the ingenuity and community engagement that are hallmarks of the maker movement.
The Rhode Island marine industry generates $2.649 billion in annual gross sales and employs 13,337 people. (According to RIMTA in its economic impact study in partnership with URI).
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
SHOP SKILLS
- Craftsmanship & Artistry
- Hand & Power Tool Use
- Woodworking Processes & Techniques
- Shop Safety
- Material Properties
- Manual Drafting
- Introduction to CAD
- Lofting
- Steam Bending
- Plank-on-frame Restoration
- Joinery
- Photographic Documentation
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Business Acumen
- Project Management
- Entrepreneurialism
- Teamwork & Communication
- Survey & Assessment
- Time Management
Recent Employers
At IYRS, you’ll go beyond boatbuilding to receive a comprehensive education in marine woodworking. By mastering traditional and contemporary boatbuilding skills, you’ll be ready to tackle any woodworking challenge, from fine furniture making to historic restoration and preservation to home construction.
IYRS provided extensive education in all things related to working on wooden boats; from lofting to planking and from fine joinery to project management. It allowed me to enter the wooden boat community with not only the theory, but the hands-on experience necessary to build, repair, and restore traditional wooden boats and yachts.- Jens Lange '10,
Owner of Baltic Boat Works
NEWSWEEK NAMES
IYRS
ONE OF THE
BEST MAKER SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD
Newsweek named IYRS one of the Best Maker Schools in the world for 2021. Winners of this prestigious award are institutions of higher education that have curricula that encourages learning by doing; are supported by educators committed to collaborative problem-solving; have well-developed makerspaces, labs, and studios; and which support diverse, interactive communities that engage in knowledge and skill sharing. The award highlights institutions with innovative programs that demonstrate the ingenuity and community engagement that are hallmarks of the maker movement.