In 2009 the SBCSA boat building class will complete the Shellback that was started in 2008 and work on the "Ellen" a John Brooks designed 12 foot sailing skiff. Ellen's hull was built in 2008 at Wooden Boat School and brought to Michigan for completion by the SBCSA students. Toward the end of this years session the class will be setting up a strongback and building molds for a boat to be worked on in 2010.

The boat building class is made up of about 20 students.
The class started January 5th, 2009 and will complete on March 31th, 2009
meeting twice a week for three hours.

January February March April

Progress in January 2009
The plans for the Shellback and Ellen are studied to
determine tasks for the class, a student checks his plane.


The Shellback inside seams are faired and
the Ellen hull is cleaned up and holes made when the plank laps were clamped are filled.


The Shellback quarter knees and breasthook are sawn and fitted to the hull.


Outwales for both boats are made and attached to the hulls.


The Shellback's centerboard trunk is assembled and the Ellen's outer stem is faired.


Students made a pair of collapsible, adjustable cradles as described in John Brooks Glued Lapstrake book.


Progress in February 2009
Ellens's hull s preped for epoxy sealer.


Shellback's dagger board trunk is fitted, bow stem trimmed and inwhale blocks epoxied in place.


Thwart is fitted to dagger board trunk


OhOh! We should have read this first! Shellback's inwhale is clamped to inwhale blocks. Ellen's breasthook is assembled.


Ellen's half frames are in place. The Shellback's gunwhales are in place.


Progress in March 2009
The forms for Ellen are made,
the mast for the Shellback is rounded and the tiller finished.


The Ellen transom is carefully cut out, bowstem strips are cut, the Shellback is sanded for painting.


The Shellback center board plug is finished
the Ellen forms are attached to the strongback, Shellback gets painted.




Progress in April 2009
The Shellback is readied for painting, seats installed.


Ellen's bowstem, keelson, and transom are mounted on the forms.


The Shellback's hull is painted.


More painting, seats installed again.




Close Window

Last modified Friday, 01-May-2009 06:08:03 CDT