Skip to main content

Make your passion your future

Welcome to the Boat Building Academy

Our world leading courses are focussed on professional training but also provide life-changing opportunities for complete beginners, enthusiasts and those on a gap year.

Learn boat building and woodworking by the sea in the heart of Lyme Regis, on the Dorset coast. From 2 days to 40 weeks, there is a course for everyone.

Our Boat Building and Furniture Making Courses - Beginners welcome

40-week Boat Building course

Our Flagship 40-week Boat Building course

You will learn boat building through a structured programme of skills training and building boats from start to finish. An immersive experience perfectly suited to those starting or enhancing their career, right through to those joining us for the sheer challenge and enjoyment of building boats.

12-week furniture making course

12-week furniture making course

You’ll be immersed in a practical and comprehensive programme of woodwork, skill building, joinery, drawing, bending, an optional level 3 qualification, a personal design and make project, and much more.

2 to 5-day short courses

2 to 5-day short courses

Boat building, woodwork and more; suitable for all skill levels, from beginners or experienced hobbyists to existing professionals.
Whether you’re looking to refine existing skills or try something new, there’s something for everyone: Sail making, marquetry, chair making, rope work and much more.

40-week Boat Building course

Our Flagship 40-week Boat Building course

You will learn boat building through a structured programme of skills training and building boats from start to finish. An immersive experience perfectly suited to those starting or enhancing their career, right through to those joining us for the sheer challenge and enjoyment of building boats.

12-week furniture making course

12-week furniture making course

You’ll be immersed in a practical and comprehensive programme of woodwork, skill building, joinery, drawing, bending, an optional level 3 qualification, a personal design and make project, and much more.

2 to 5-day short courses

2 to 5-day short courses

Boat building, woodwork and more; suitable for all skill levels, from beginners or experienced hobbyists to existing professionals.
Whether you’re looking to refine existing skills or try something new, there’s something for everyone: Sail making, marquetry, chair making, rope work and much more.

Join us for launch day

Join us on Tuesday 4th June for the launching of the boats built by the 40-Week Students.

NEW PADDLEBOARD MAKING COURSE

Spend 2 weeks in sunny Lyme Regis learning how to build your own wooden paddleboard

“The 40-week Boat Building course is by far the best thing I have ever done. The teaching is of the highest quality, both in expertise and enthusiasm for the course and the boatbuilding industry in general. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering a career in either woodworking or boatbuilding or even just to learn a new skillset.”

George Soper, 40-week Boat Building course

"Your college has set the benchmark for the future of training craftsmen, which has long been the biggest worry of traditional boat builders and repairers. You deserve to go from strength to strength, and I for one will recommend it to anyone looking for a career in our industry."

Tom Richardson, Owner of Elephant Boatyard, Hampshire

A really useful week! I learned techniques and got some confidence in general woodworking, but the best thing was being able to bring my boat along for the class to work on.
I am extremely grateful for the dedicated concentration on the issues that need sorting for my boat.

Richard Palmer, Wooden Boat Restoration

A brilliant, well run school, where everyone was helpful, professional and a joy to be around! It was an excellent course that more than met my expectations. Providing many detailed explanations on several different aspects of boat construction.

Richard Cord, Modern Wooden Boat

All our interactions and experiences with the BBA have impressed us with their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive space. The teaching offered is second to none, and the environment is unique in its atmosphere of respect, encouragement and acceptance of all. BBA is a wonderful place to spend time.

Belinda Joslin, Women in Boatbuilding

“I wanted to do the 40 week course in order to retrain and start a new career. Without the bursary I would not have been able to join when I did, and at 34 I felt that I didn’t have time to waste. Before the course, I was stuck in a fairly poorly paid job and only had a small amount of savings. I was lucky enough that my family were willing to help with some of my costs, but it was a stretch. The bursary I received enabled me to make up the rest and enjoy the course to the fullest. I now have lifelong skills (and friends), and finally a career that I love. I wouldn’t be writing this without the support I received.”

Tom Jenkins , 40-week Boat Building course

The Boat Diaries

Discover our boat building diaries. Follow the construction and progress of the boats currently being built in our workshop, as well as those built on our previous 40-week boat building courses.

20′ Looe traditional clinker diesel launch

- Ben Short
Read More

14′ carvel & cold moulded Riva Scoiattolo, outboard powered

- Tom Thorley
Read More

14’4″ glued clinker Welsford Walkabout lug yawl

- Ginny Harvey
Read More

14′ glued carvel Crosby catboat TRIO

- Andrew Streeter
Read More

16’6″ Carvel Gorran Haven Crabber

- Richard Pisani
Read More

SUPPORT FUTURE BOAT BUILDING AND FURNITURE MAKING STUDENTS BY MAKING A BURSARY DONATION ONLINE

We aim to provide financial help to men and women passionate to train in the crafts of boat building and woodworking.

Recent News and Events

Thank you!

Thank you! The Boat Building Academy is extremely grateful to the following organisations for their generous donations to support our student bursary

Open Day 2024

Join us April 27th for our open day, if you want to learn everything about what we do this is the best

Boat Building Academy Newsletter 2023

As the sun sets on another eventful year here at the Boat Building Academy, it’s time to look back on the incredible

Thank you!

Thank you! The Boat Building Academy is extremely grateful to the following organisations for their generous donations to support our student bursary

Open Day 2024

Join us April 27th for our open day, if you want to learn everything about what we do this is the best

Boat Building Academy Newsletter 2023

As the sun sets on another eventful year here at the Boat Building Academy, it’s time to look back on the incredible

Spaces available on our flagship Boat Building course

Spaces available on our 12-week furniture making course

Book our short courses online