COMPOSITE BOATBUILDING

The Composite Boatbuilding program provides a broad education in the rapidly evolving field of composite manufacturing. Students learn how modern composite materials and construction processes are used to create boats of varying sizes in today’s commercial boatbuilding industry. The courses are taught through lecture, labs, field-trips and the fabrication of composite parts and the construction of one or more composite boats.

Students study the strength, stiffness and structural mechanics of materials commonly used in composite manufacturing, so they are knowledgeable about the range of choices available to today’s boat builders. Students are provided instruction in fabrication techniques using those materials, from hand layup to vacuum-infusion and prepreg part-making in both open- and closed-molding environments. In the lab-based segment of the curriculum, students work on the fabrication of composite parts. Student-builders construct one or more plugs, molds and parts, starting with the lofting process and including fairing and finishing.

Equipment such as plural and single component spray equipment, vacuum bagging, resin infusion and wood working machinery are used. Throughout the school year, students examine the effects of the various composite materials on the production methods, assess structural strengths firsthand and witness how the choice of materials interfaces with the design and production of a boat.

CLASSROOM SIZE

The maximum number of students enrolled at one time in the Composite Boatbuilding program is 15.

COMPOSITE PROGRAM CURRICULUM

The following courses are taught through lecture and lab work as part of the Composite Boatbuilding program:

COM 110 Composite Shop Practices

COM 215 Engineering Basics

COM 115 Drawings, Documentation, and Office Tools

COM 225 Composites Fabrication and Repair Techniques

COM 120 Composite Materials Fundamentals (GN)

COM 230 Problem Solving, Process and Quality Control

COM 150 Composites Tooling

COM 235 CAD & CNC

COM 160 Composite Fabrication

COM 245 Product Construction

Earning Your Diploma or Degree

To earn a diploma in the Composite Boatbuilding Program, you must attend The Landing School full time for two semesters (about eight months) and meet all graduation criteria. Students wishing to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree can choose to stay an additional year and complete a second program, plus general education coursework.

Careers for Composite BoatBuilding Graduates

The curriculum prepares students to work in a modern composite manufacturing setting with a focus on the fabrication of components of modern composite vessels. A graduate can assume a career as a self-employed or an entry level boat builder, boat repairer or composite technician in the marine industry, or use his/her skills in other manufacturing fields including transportation, energy and aerospace. Examples of alternative career paths that graduates have taken include wind turbine repair, furniture construction, and sports equipment design.

For more information, please call 207-985-7976 or fill out a contact form.