Lesson Content
Engines & Boat Building Lesson
Boats - Week 1 &2 - 21st Jul - 3rd Aug 2025
During this program, students and teachers will build a 14-foot flat skiff using the stitch and glue method. Participants will learn how to:
- Cut the plywood panels for the sides and bottom
- Assemble the panels with butt blocks
- Cut the frames and transom
- Assemble the hull, including the sides and bottom around the frames and transom
- Build the fiberglass seams with putty fillets
- Install the seat tops
- Build the rub rail
- Fair the hull
- Install a skeg (keel)
- Sand and paint the boat
- Finally, fit a 3.5 HP outboard motor onto the boat.
This lesson will require participants to work with hand and electric tools, maintain focus on their tasks, and follow all instructions carefully and consistently.
Engines - Week 2 : 28th Jul - 3rd Aug 2025
Additionally, the program will provide a solid foundation in internal combustion engines by demonstrating working model engines, including a 2-stroke 3.5/5 HP outboard motor. During the second week, students will observe how internal combustion engines function. Teachers will incorporate this lesson into a rich learning experience, allowing students to understand the basic principles of these engines. They will have the opportunity to start and run a 3.5 HP internal combustion outboard engine, which will be used on the boat. The lessons focused on engine mechanics and boat-building skills will enable students to motor their crafts on the lake. Activities will include boat building sessions interspersed with games, providing students with time to relax and enjoy the program. Each day will conclude with readings from the book "Sextant."
River studies - Week 3 - 4th -9th Aug 2025
Once the boats are constructed, they will be transported to the banks of a lake where students will learn to row, motor, and sail the flat skiffs to various points along the shore. They will also create a profile/contour map of the water body using GPS-equipped depth sounders to record depths. Participants are expected to develop sound judgment, creative thinking skills, and a lasting enthusiasm for the world around them. On the last day of the program, August 10, 2025, students will receive their corrected main lesson books along with reports and certificates in the afternoon before returning home.
During this program, students and teachers will build a 14-foot flat skiff using the stitch and glue method. Participants will learn how to:
- Cut the plywood panels for the sides and bottom
- Assemble the panels with butt blocks
- Cut the frames and transom
- Assemble the hull, including the sides and bottom around the frames and transom
- Build the fiberglass seams with putty fillets
- Install the seat tops
- Build the rub rail
- Fair the hull
- Install a skeg (keel)
- Sand and paint the boat
- Finally, fit a 3.5 HP outboard motor onto the boat.
This lesson will require participants to work with hand and electric tools, maintain focus on their tasks, and follow all instructions carefully and consistently.
Engines - Week 2 : 28th Jul - 3rd Aug 2025
Additionally, the program will provide a solid foundation in internal combustion engines by demonstrating working model engines, including a 2-stroke 3.5/5 HP outboard motor. During the second week, students will observe how internal combustion engines function. Teachers will incorporate this lesson into a rich learning experience, allowing students to understand the basic principles of these engines. They will have the opportunity to start and run a 3.5 HP internal combustion outboard engine, which will be used on the boat. The lessons focused on engine mechanics and boat-building skills will enable students to motor their crafts on the lake. Activities will include boat building sessions interspersed with games, providing students with time to relax and enjoy the program. Each day will conclude with readings from the book "Sextant."
River studies - Week 3 - 4th -9th Aug 2025
Once the boats are constructed, they will be transported to the banks of a lake where students will learn to row, motor, and sail the flat skiffs to various points along the shore. They will also create a profile/contour map of the water body using GPS-equipped depth sounders to record depths. Participants are expected to develop sound judgment, creative thinking skills, and a lasting enthusiasm for the world around them. On the last day of the program, August 10, 2025, students will receive their corrected main lesson books along with reports and certificates in the afternoon before returning home.
