Learn to "loft" at Gig Harbor Boat Shop | Events

Lofting is the first step in building a new boat. It involves drawing the design of the vessel full scale on the loft floor.

Once the initial design is laid down, the lines are “faired”, a process of correcting minor errors in the design caused by the small scale in which designs are created.

Once the fairing is complete, the builder uses the loft to generate all of the patterns and templates necessary to setup and build the hull.

The Gig Harbor Boat Shop will be offering a pair of weekend classes to teach the skills used in “lofting”.

Class participants will loft the Thunderbird sailboat using the table of offsets and lines given in the original plans. Interested participants can take the first or second session, or both - and learn the process of lofting. The loft will be preserved and used for a variety of purposes in Gig Harbor Boat Shop’s on-going work with the Thunderbird Sailboat.

The sessions are scheduled for the weekends of April 17-18 and May 1-2. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break.

Classes are held at the Historic Eddon Boatyard, 3805 Harborview Drive.

The cost is $165 for non GHB members and $150 for members. Classes are limited to six participants.

For more information about the program, instructor, or hotel package for out-of-town guests please call (253) 857-9344 – go on-line.  

Photo courtesy Gig Harbor Guide blogspot