The wooden boat centre clinker dinghy program
This is a unique opportunity to learn the craft of traditional wooden boat building using rare Tasmanian boat building timbers. We offer a Tasmanian design by one of our local wooden boatbuilding legends - either Bill Foster or Adrian Dean. The Foster 10 was originally designed by Bill Foster for his children to go fishing and mucking about in boats. It is a small, light craft that will also suit two adults in inshore waters. The Percy is designed by Adrian Dean and is slightly longer and wider in the beam, again best suited to inshore waters. We also offer a larger 14’ Whitehall dinghy or we can cost a design of your choice. There is the option to build any of these boats from marine ply if that suits you better.
What is included in the course
The Clinker Dinghy program starts with a general induction and safety talk, after which we dive head first in the lofting process. From these plans we produce the station moulds, the stem, keel and transom. Once everything is in place, we move on to the planking and roving and finally the internal detailing. We include oars for the rowing dinghy and a mast with the sailing version. Sails are not included, but there are options to extend the course and include instructions by a professional sail maker.
Sponsoring
You can be involved in this program as a sponsor (paying for the materials and taking the boat home) or as a student. For the Foster 10 and the Percy the course duration is 7 weeks for a rowing dinghy and 8 weeks for the sailing version. The larger Whitehall is 12 weeks for the rowing & 13 weeks for the sailing version.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Sponsor information: You may choose to purchase the boat you build by enrolling in a course and paying for the materials as a “sponsor”. This way you are able to take the boat you have built home with you. We offer this to one student per course.
As the sponsor of the dinghy - you have a choice of our set designs. With your initial enquiry, let us know whether you are after a rowing or sailing dinghy and which materials you would like to build with. Our quote generally includes Huon pine or Marine Plywood. We also offer alternate designs requested by you. If this is the case, please forward a copy of the full plans with your initial enquiry with your preferred choice of timber so we can look into whether the build is feasible for our program and arrange a quote.
Due to the increasing scarcity of Tasmanian boat building timbers and some specialist materials we will request a materials deposit three months prior to course commencement to ensure we are able to secure the purchase of timbers some months in advance of a build course.
Any changes to designs may incur additional fees to cover set up costs or period of building. Costs include fabrication of the boat and provide the basics, including rowlocks and fittings. For sailing dinghies, the mast is included, but sails are not supplied. If you would like sails, design and fit outs to be included, please let us know. Further fittings, paint and finishing are not supplied. The build includes materials, workshop fees and general consumables.
We also offer the option to sponsor a dinghy without being involved as a student. You pay for the materials, our students built the boat, and you can collect the dinghy at the end of the course. Please note that the regular sponsor requirements apply including prepayment of materials.
Dates:
2025 Dates
September 8 - Huon Pine Clinker Dinghy Build - approximately 8 weeks - we currently have one spot available for a student for this build. If you are keen to join, please fill out the contact form below.
Sponsor opening. We are planning a Clinker Dingy Build for the second half of July. If you would like to own a Huon pine clinker dinghy, please reach out using the contact form below. Please note that there are currently no student openings for this date.
2026 Dates
We are currently taking expressions of interest for sponsorships for 2026. If you have always wanted to build your own boat and are available for a six to ten week period, please use the contact form below.
Course Fee: Students pay a weekly fee of $950 per week for the duration of the build. Occasionally there are spots available to join the Dinghy Build Program for a single week or more. Please use the contact form below if this suits you and we will keep you up-to-date in case spots become available.
Participants: Clinker Dinghy builds are limited to three students to ensure maximum one-on-one time with your teacher.
Experience level: No experience required. Please note that we do enquire whether you have previous experience to ensure you are matched with students of a similar level.
Course Details: The Dingy Build Program is a five days a week course from 8.30am to 4.30 pm (excluding weekends and public holidays). Although we are aware that students may need to skip a day here or there, we do emphasise that the course length is set based upon participation of all three students to ensure deadlines are met. We do recommend to prepare for the possibility that an additional few days or week is needed to finish the build due to unforeseen circumstances.
Accommodation: If you are located outside of the greater Hobart and Huon Valley area, we can provide you with a list of contacts of local accommodation providers to assist you with a place to stay. Please let us know if you would like to receive this information.
