The Arques school, in Sausalito, California, is a small school dedicated to teaching the art of traditional wooden boatbuilding. Traditional wooden boatbuilding is a beautiful and complex woodcraft that is based upon centuries of traditional boat design, the related art of lofting boat lines to full size, and an in-depth understanding of various construction methods. Traditional boatbuilding depends on the use of hand-tools. After learning about tool sharpening and care, students cultivate the long-term mastery of their tool skills.

The Arques School has, since its inception, harvested its own lumber as much as possible, abandoned the use of toxic fungicides, and limited the use of harmful glues. Power tool noise hazards are reduced through an emphasis on hand tools, which also reduces the production of wood dust. The Arques School's classes have been developed over the last twelve years to provide adult students with an authentic understanding of traditional boatbuilding. The following are some of the key points of this approach:

* To develop our attention capacity through quiet focus on the work at hand; to cultivate the patience and persistence necessary to truly learn the fundamentals of theory and practice of this complex craft.

* To progressively develop our handtool skills by learning them systematically through a series of wood-joint cutting and fitting exercises that allow us to master the basic skills required for careful traditional boatbuilding.

* To broaden our understanding of the scope and complexity of traditional boatbuilding. Appreciating the beauty and scope of this craft increases our commitment to learning the craft as it was historically taught, carefully and by degrees.

Classes

The School's most popular class is the All Day Saturday Boatbuilding Class offered every Saturday from 9am to 4pm. This class is for hobbyists as well as students preparing for a more in depth study of boatbuilding.

At the beginning of our week, on Tuesday mornings, we offer Boat Design is for novices and apprentices alike. Other short classes include Wood Milling, and Celestial Navigation which are held periodically.

The Arques School has introduced a new class, Classic Small Boats on the Bay. Classic Small Boats On The Bay is for hobbyists who want to learn to sail and row small classic boats built by the school. The boats include our 24ft gillnetter, the 20ft Kingston Lobster Boat, the 16ft Whitehall, the 15ft Black Cat, and the 20ft sloop Loon which will be launched sometime mid-year.

Advanced training for those few individuals wanting to master the craft of wooden boatbuilding is offered in our Apprenticeship Program. The Apprenticeship Program is an intensive program for study of the essentials of design, lofting, timber harvesting, bronze casting, and all aspects of traditional tool use and boat building.

Historical & Boat Projects

View the Arques School's projects of the last few years. Students first learn basic skills in woodworking. Then they help build the several different styles of boat under construction at the school.

Contact Details & Location

Visitors are welcome between 12pm and 1pm - Tuesday through Saturday.