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Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
2 of 3

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
3 of 3

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
The lyrics to a traditional Newfoundland folk song begins; I's the b'y that builds the boat, And I's the b'y that sails her.
Whether you want to be ‘the person that builds the boat’ and/or ‘the person that sails her’, Washington has a maritime training course to enhance your skills.
Located in the heart of more than 100 maritime businesses on Port Townsend Bay, the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (NWSWB) was founded 35 years ago to teach craftsmanship through boatbuilding. Today, the school continues to fuel the maritime trades and professions serving the wooden boat community throughout the country.
While you are cruising, stop by and enjoy a school tour at 3:30pm on the first Friday of each month. Adjacent to the school is a small dock for transient moorage that is managed by the Port of Port Townsend.
The school offers a 12-month Associate of Occupational Studies degree in three specialty areas: Traditional Large Craft, Traditional Small Craft, and Contemporary Wood Composites. Students have access to on-the-water programs and non-credit maritime workshops such as sail-making, rigging, carving, and boat design.
Graduates establish themselves in a host of marine trades and related careers. These include careers in wooden boat repair and restoration, yacht construction, maritime museums, and fine furniture making.
Do you know someone who wants to become a boatbuilder? Do you want to commission the construction of a wooden boat? Do you know a boatyard looking to hire trained boatbuilders? Contact the school at info@nwswb.edu. Make a living, craft a life.