A Short Guide
The 40 week boat building course is the only complete practical training route available in the UK. It is not a short experience or a casual introduction. It is a full time commitment that asks you to step away from your usual routine and focus on learning the skills that form the path to becoming a shipwright.
You’ve probably done some research already and are weighing up whether this is a realistic next step, or simply trying to understand what is involved. This guide pulls together the key points and links through to the detailed articles.
Many people take months or even years to decide, that is the norm. If you like we can stay in touch during this time and keep you up to date with any new developments.
What the 40 week course actually is
At its core, this is a continuous build programme. You are not attending isolated lessons. You are part of a team, studying technical theory and working through the full construction of a wooden boat.
That structure is what sets it apart from shorter courses. Instead of learning individual skills in isolation, you see how they connect. Lofting leads to framing. Planking leads to finishing. Each stage builds on the last.
If you want a full overview of how the course is structured, this article sets it out clearly:
Structure of the 40 Week Boat Building Course
For a more detailed breakdown of the curriculum and how the weeks are organised, the prospectus gives a useful reference point:
Skills you actually gain
By the end of the course, you are not just familiar with tools. You have worked through the build of a complete vessel.
That includes setting out lines, shaping timber, fitting structure, and understanding how each part contributes to the finished boat. You also develop the pace and discipline required in a working yard.
This article gives a grounded view of the type of skills involved and how they carry beyond the course:
The important point is that these are practical, transferable skills. They apply to restoration work, refit projects, and new builds.
A real build example
One of the clearest ways to understand the level of work involved is to look at a completed boat.
“Wild Boy” is a sprit rigged yawl built during Debbie’s 40 week course. Her design is based on a traditional working craft, the Gorran Haven crabber. The mixture of boats built during your course will include modern and traditional wooden boats so you get to see all the techniques involved.
Realistically Wild Boy is about as big a boat as can be built in the 40 weeks. Each course builds around six wooden boats all of different construction types.
Building a vessel like this is not a single task repeated. It is a sequence of different disciplines brought together over time. Structure, planking, interior work, rigging considerations. Each stage requires a different approach.
What you take from this is not just a finished boat. It is an understanding of how a vessel comes together, and what is required to build or maintain one.
Please note you only take a boat away at the end of the course if the boat you would like fits into the curriculum mix and that you pay for the materials in its construction.
What happens after the course
This is where expectations need to be clear.
The course gives you a solid foundation. It does not guarantee a specific job. What it does is open a number of realistic routes. You won’t be a shipwright at the end of it, but you will be able to become shipwright by continuing to work and learn in the industry,
Some move into boatyards, working on maintenance, refit, and restoration. This is often the most direct step.
Others take on smaller projects independently. Repairs, modifications, or assisting on builds. This tends to develop over time rather than immediately.
There is also seasonal and project based work supporting operational vessels. Refit periods, winter maintenance, and ongoing upkeep all require practical skills.
Some choose to continue training, specialising further in areas such as joinery, rigging, or design.
If you want a balanced view of whether this course leads directly to becoming a boat builder, this article is worth reading:
Can I become a boat builder in 40 weeks?
The key point is progression. This is a starting point, not a finished position.
What it is like day to day
You are working full time, often physically with hand and power tools. There is repetition, but also steady progression. Some days feel productive, others feel slow. Over time, the work accumulates.
These first hand accounts give a good picture of what the course feels like:
Career Change – My experience on the 40 week boat building course
How 2 women funded a 40 week boat building course
They also highlight practical realities such as funding, accommodation, and maintaining focus over the full duration.
Quality of instruction
The course is not just about the build. It is also about who is teaching you and how knowledge is passed on.
Guest tutors and experienced instructors bring specialist insight at different stages. That range of input helps you understand not just how to do something, but why it is done that way.
This article introduces one of the guest tutors and gives a sense of that input:
What to consider before applying
When can you start?
This is a long course. There are two starting points every year, normally February and September. Consider what is the best time for you. The length of the course affects more than just your time.
Money
You need to plan financially. Costs should always be checked against the current course year, as they can change.
Accomodation
You also need to consider where you will live and how you will manage day to day expenses.
Physical
There is also the physical side. You are working with timber, tools, and materials. It is practical and often demanding. I’ve seen youngsters only just sixteen on the course, men and women over retirement age.
Then there is the pace. Forty weeks is long enough for motivation to fluctuate. You need to be comfortable with that and able to continue through it.
A realistic view on difficulty and timing
Nearly everyone who starts the course completes it.
The challenge is not usually finishing. It is getting to the point where you are ready to begin.
Places are limited. Not everyone who is interested will start straight away. Timing, finances, and personal circumstances all play a part.
For many, the decision is the hardest step. Taking time away from work, committing to the cost, and changing routine for nearly a year is not a small decision.
It is common to delay. That is not failure. It is often a sign that the timing is not yet right.
Recognising that early can save you from forcing a decision that does not fit your situation.
Trying it first
If you are unsure, shorter courses can be a useful way to test whether this suits you.
It gives you a chance to get to know the place, the staff and how things are run. This article outlines some of those options:
Try it first
Bursaries and funding
There are bursary options available that can help with funding.
This is a practical route for some applicants, although it is not guaranteed and often requires planning and application in advance.
A full explanation is here:
Staying in touch while you decide
Most people do not make a decision on this immediately.
If you want, we can keep you informed over the next few months. That might include updates on courses, related articles, and occasional prompts to help you refine what you are looking for.
The aim is not to push you. It is to give you enough information over time to decide whether this is the right step, and when.
Next step
If you want to talk it through, you can ask for advice. Debbie here at Classic Sailing built Wild boy on the course and is happy to answer any of your questions.
You do not need to be ready to commit. You can simply outline where you are in your thinking, whether you are exploring, planning, or close to applying.
We will pick that up and give you a considered reply based on where you are now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 40 week boat building course worth it?
It depends on your aim. If you want a structured route into practical boat building skills, it is one of the most complete options in the UK. It does not guarantee a job, but it provides a strong foundation for working in boatyards, refit projects, or continuing training.
Do you become a shipwright after the course?
No. You leave with the skills to begin working towards becoming a shipwright. Progression comes through continued work and experience in the industry.
How difficult is the 40 week boat building course?
The work is practical and often physically demanding. Most people who start complete the course. The harder part is committing to the time, cost, and change in routine before starting.
How much does the 40 week boat building course cost?
Costs vary each year, so always check the current course fees. You should also budget for accommodation, living costs, and materials if you plan to build your own boat.
Can you take a boat away at the end of the course?
Only if the boat you want to build fits within the course curriculum and you pay for the materials. Not every student builds a boat to take away.
What jobs can you do after the course?
Typical routes include working in boatyards, refit and restoration projects, freelance repair work, or further specialist training. It is a starting point rather than a final qualification.
Are there bursaries available?
Yes, there are bursary options. These are limited and require planning and application. See the full bursary article for details.
Should I try a short course first?
For many people, yes. A shorter course can help you understand the environment, tools, and pace before committing to 40 weeks.
When does the course start?
There are typically two intakes each year, usually February and September. Availability is limited.
How long does it take to decide?
Many people take months or even years to decide. That is normal. It is a significant commitment and worth taking time over.
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