NC Maritime Museum : BEAUFORT

Build a Boat in a Day
2026-09-05, 2026-11-07 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Participants in this introductory workshop use pre-cut kits to construct a small, flat-bottomed plywood boat in a single session. The course focuses on teaching basic woodworking and assembly skills. The class is designed for beginners and is a collaborative effort for families or small teams. Each participating team assembles a small flat-bottomed plywood boat suitable for paddling. The boat is 12 feet long, 32 inches wide, and weighs about 40 pounds. Each boat will be completed to a watertight condition and ready to take home for paint or varnish.
Teams are limited to a maximum of 4 people, at least one of whom must be an adult. Minimum age is 8 years old. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.

Introduction to Wooden Boatbuilding
2026-09-12 - 2026-09-13, 2026-10-10 - 2026-10-11, 2026-11-21 - 2026-11-22, 2026-12-12 - 2026-12-13
The introductory wooden boatbuilding class provides hands-on experience with fundamental boatbuilding concepts. The course teaches students to select wood, design a boat, and use various techniques like steam bending, planking (carvel or lapstrake), and fastening to construct a small boat. The curriculum covers basic design, essential tools, safe workshop practices, and the properties of wood, culminating in a small project that builds confidence for independent boatbuilding.
Class runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Class fee is $200 ($180 for Friends of the Museum). Minimum age is 16. Course size is limited, and advance registration is required. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.

Family Model Boat Class
2026-09-19 09:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Designed for children but with adult participation, each team will assemble and decorate a model boat under the supervision of experienced boat builders and model makers.
Teams are limited to a maximum of 4 people, at least one of whom must be an adult. Minimum age is 8 years old. Course size is limited, and advance registration is required. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.

Introduction to Woodworking
2026-10-24 - 2026-10-25
The new Introduction to Woodworking class teaches beginners to safely and efficiently use hand and power tools, understand different wood types and their properties, and apply fundamental techniques like cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing to build a small project. The course focuses on building foundational skills, with instructor demonstrations and supervised hands-on practice, to instill confidence and a solid understanding for future woodworking projects.
Class runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Class fee is $200 ($180 for Friends of the Museum). Minimum age is 16. Course size is limited, and advance registration is required. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.
