Lyme Regis boat building academy

The boat building academy at Lyme Regis is where I re-trained and was inspired to persue a career in wood.

The school is set on Monmouth beach front and offers a variety of long and short courses in woodworking and boat building. I enrolled for the 'long course' of thirty eight weeks back in 2007.

The course consisted of a ten week foundation course which introduced students to hand tools and woodworking principals. Several practical assignments were completed before the class moved downstairs to the main workshop where the boats are built.

 I chose not to construct my own boat as I wanted to move between builds and learn as much about each type as possible. The course is very practical and I enjoyed being at the BBA very much, if time and money ever become abundant then I would take a years holiday and do it all again! Their doors are always open to vistors if you are interested in their courses.

Click the link below to visit the BBA website

Below are some photographs of my time at the academy.

The foundation course.

The main workshop where the boats are built.

Charlie's beautiful carvel hull.

Myself working at a bench.

John working on his clinker ply build.

Launch day for the boats built on my course - June 2008