erkeley Boathouse is project of Waterside Workshops. We are a small boat shop centered around community education. We provide classes for youth and free vocational training for transition aged youth. Aside from our educational aspect, Berkeley Boathouse is fully functional small boatshop employing talented craftsmen well capable of constructing any type of boat up to 20 feet in length. If you are in need of yacht tender, fishing boat, recreational watercraft, or custom oars, please let us know. Proceeds from all sales and repairs go toward supporting our free programs for low income youth.
For three months in 2008, our boatshop director traveled to his native Azores Islands to study with one of the last Azorean whaleboat builders. This sabbatical proved to be a great learning experience for Helder. Some photos of the trip.... CLICK HERE.
Internships
After school and summer internships are available for older youth, roughly 16-18yrs of age. As an intern, youth will work along side of one of our skilled instructors in an apprenticeship-style setting. One on one attention allows interns to become immersed in the craft and in every aspect of running a small business. Working in a small boat shop helps youth to quickly develop vocational skills in the areas of woodworking and construction, while providing a real-world application for product design, physics, and geometry. Depending on their interest, students can apply their experience in the boat shop to a variety of trades or areas of study. Apprentices are given the opportunity to tour local woodworking shops as well as the Civil Engineering/ Naval Architecture department at UC Berkeley. Many local schools accept our classes as elective/vocational credit for high school students. Please contact our office for more information.
Youth Classes
Our much anticipated boat program offers classes for youth (roughly 10 to 18 years of age). Beginners are scheduled in small classes, 1 or 2 days per week depending on interest. Students will learn proper use and care of woodworking tools. We will use our skills to construct and repair wooden boats that will be used at the Berkeley Aquatic Park. Class fees are on a sliding scale.
We currently do not offer adult classes.
Youth Class Hours: by appointment only. Groups and individuals are welcome. Please call ahead: 510-644-2577
Below, some of the many model sailboats, built and designed at The Boathouse. Students piece together the hull components, mast, keel piece, rudder, ballast then students stitch together the sail and attach it to the mast. In the end, our kids walk out with a beautiful little sailboat that operates on the same physical principals as the larger sailboats; a great lesson in woodworking, sailboat physics, and sailboat handling.
Instrument Building
One of our boat shop instructors is also a talented luthier. Musically inclined students have the opportunity to build a small instrument of their own and shadow our instructor in the construction of full-size guitars and other instruments. Please call our office for more information! For more information on Nathaniel's instruments, check out his website at www.hollisguitars.vpweb.com
Field trips: Please contact us if your school is interested in a field trip!
Group photo of students from a South Bay Waldorf School; field trip to Waterside Workshops to build model sailboats. It was truly a fun day for all!
Contact:
berkeleyboathouse@gmail.com
Office # 510-644-2577
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Currently on the shop floor...
12 foot Catspaw Dinghy
This round-bottomed, carvel planked row and sailboat is a recent commission for the Boathouse.
16 foot Flatiron Skiff for the Berkeley Marina Harbormaster
Below is the lofting/design of the skiff; designed by The Boathouse. The hull will be constructed out of 1/2 and 3/4 inch marine plywood with white oak frames, stem, and chine logs.
1970s El Toro sailboat restoration
This commission is being worked on exclusively by one of our long-term youth interns.
