Basic boat carpentry course
Why this course?
Learn the fundamentals of Basic Boatbuilding
Give your boat a new lease on life. This course provides you with the essential skills to carry out repairs, modifications, and custom projects on board. Master the use of hand and power tools, learn joining, assembly, and finishing techniques, and work with a variety of woods and materials commonly used in shipbuilding.
Give your boat a new lease on life. This course provides you with the essential skills to carry out repairs, modifications, and custom projects on board.
Key Benefits
- Practical Knowledge: Learn to diagnose problems, plan projects, and execute repairs with confidence.
- Essential Techniques: Master cutting, sanding, planing, assembling, and finishing boat wood.
- Safety and Best Practices: Familiarize yourself with safety procedures and best practices in boatbuilding.
- Custom Projects: Apply your skills to build or repair items such as shelving, tables, benches, and more.
- Maintenance and Appreciation: Keep your boat in top condition and increase its value through boatbuilding.
- Modality: Online
- Level: Cursos
- Hours: 150 H
- Start date: 25-04-2026
Availability: 1 in stock
Who is it aimed at?
- Boat owners who want to carry out minor repairs and preventative maintenance on wood.
- Boating enthusiasts looking to acquire practical skills to customize and improve their boats.
- Maritime professionals (mechanics, electricians) who want to expand their knowledge of basic carpentry.
- Nautical and shipbuilding students looking for a practical introduction to boat carpentry.
- DIY enthusiasts looking for a new challenge and to apply their skills to maritime projects.
Learning flexibility
Designed to adapt to your pace: downloadable material, explanatory videos, and practical exercises to apply what you have learned.
Objectives and competencies
Perform basic repairs on structural and finishing wood in boats.
“Identify and repair common damage such as cracks, chips, rot, and warping, selecting the appropriate techniques and materials to ensure structural and aesthetic integrity.”
Interpreting plans and technical specifications for the construction and repair of wooden elements in boats:
Identify specified symbols, scales, and materials, ensuring the correct execution and quality of the work.
Select and use hand and power woodworking tools safely and efficiently:
“Knowing the risks, using appropriate protective gear, and following procedures to optimize results and prevent accidents.”
Apply wood assembly techniques to build or repair carpentry elements on boats:
“Using hand and power tools, ensuring strong and durable joints, according to plans and technical specifications.”
Apply protective and finishing treatments to the wood to preserve its durability in marine environments:
“Select, prepare and apply protective coatings (varnishes, oils, stains) with UV filters and fungicides, following regulations and technical data sheets.”
Identify and diagnose common boat carpentry problems:
“Inspect wooden structures, identify rot, water damage, joint failures, and propose appropriate repair solutions.”
Curriculum - Modules
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Wood: Types, Properties, Identification, and Selection
- Basic Hand Tools: Use, Maintenance, and Sharpening
- Wood Joining Techniques: Dowel Joints, Half-Lap Joints, and Dovetail Joints
- Adhesives and Sealants: Types, Applications, and Environmental Considerations
- Reading Plans and Parts Lists: Interpretation and Dimensioning
- Frame Construction: Design and Fabrication
- Hulage Planking: Lashing, Hitch-Planking, and Full Planking Techniques
- Caulking: Materials, Tools, and Procedures
- Deck and Structural Elements: Beams, Tenons, and Topsides
- Finishes: Priming, Painting, varnishing and wood protection
‘
- Introduction to Naval Carpentry: History, Evolution, and Applications
- Types of Wood Used in Shipbuilding: Characteristics, Properties, and Selection
- Basic Hand Tools: Use, Maintenance, and Sharpening (Planes, Chisels, Saws)
- Power Tools: Drills, Sanders, Circular Saws, and Jigsaws; Safety in Their Use
- Adhesives and Sealants: Types, Properties, Applications, and Best Practices
- Introduction to Naval Technical Drawing: Interpretation of Plans and Sketches
- Material Calculation: Estimating Quantities and Optimizing Wood Use
- Basic Joints and Assemblies: Butt Joints, Half-Lap Joints, Miters, Tongue and Grooves
- Techniques of Wood bending: steam, rolling, and other methods
- Workshop safety: standards, personal protective equipment (PPE), and risk prevention
‘
- Introduction to Wooden Shipbuilding: History and Evolution
- Types of Wood: Properties, Strength, Durability, and Suitability
- Basic Hand Tools: Use, Maintenance, and Sharpening
- Basic Power Tools: Safety, Handling, and Applications
- Wood Joinings: Types, Assembly Techniques, and Adhesives
- Wood Bending Techniques: Steam, Rolling, and Heating
- Plans and Parts Lists: Interpretation, Scaling, and Layout
- Hulal Construction: Traditional and Modern Methods
- Caulking and Sealing: Materials, Techniques, and Procedures
- Wood Finishing and Protection: Varnishes, Paints, and oils
‘
- Introduction to wood: types, properties, and naval uses.
- Hand tools: selection, sharpening, and maintenance.
- Power tools: safety and applications in shipbuilding.
- Adhesives and sealants: types, properties, and applications in shipbuilding.
- Basic assembly techniques: butt joints, half-lap joints, tongue and groove joints.
- Miter and tenon joints: design, cutting, and fitting.
- Reinforcements and fasteners: screws, nails, bolts, and clamps.
- Construction of basic structures: frames, stem, sternpost, and keel.
- Caulking and waterproofing: materials and techniques.
- Wood finishes and protection: varnishes, paints, and oils.
‘
- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
Plan de estudio - Módulos
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Wood: Types, Properties, Identification, and Selection
- Basic Hand Tools: Use, Maintenance, and Sharpening
- Wood Joining Techniques: Dowel Joints, Half-Lap Joints, and Dovetail Joints
- Adhesives and Sealants: Types, Applications, and Environmental Considerations
- Reading Plans and Parts Lists: Interpretation and Dimensioning
- Frame Construction: Design and Fabrication
- Hulage Planking: Lashing, Hitch-Planking, and Full Planking Techniques
- Caulking: Materials, Tools, and Procedures
- Deck and Structural Elements: Beams, Tenons, and Topsides
- Finishes: Priming, Painting, varnishing and wood protection
‘
- Introduction to Naval Carpentry: History, Evolution, and Applications
- Types of Wood Used in Shipbuilding: Characteristics, Properties, and Selection
- Basic Hand Tools: Use, Maintenance, and Sharpening (Planes, Chisels, Saws)
- Power Tools: Drills, Sanders, Circular Saws, and Jigsaws; Safety in Their Use
- Adhesives and Sealants: Types, Properties, Applications, and Best Practices
- Introduction to Naval Technical Drawing: Interpretation of Plans and Sketches
- Material Calculation: Estimating Quantities and Optimizing Wood Use
- Basic Joints and Assemblies: Butt Joints, Half-Lap Joints, Miters, Tongue and Grooves
- Techniques of Wood bending: steam, rolling, and other methods
- Workshop safety: standards, personal protective equipment (PPE), and risk prevention
‘
- Introduction to Wooden Shipbuilding: History and Evolution
- Types of Wood: Properties, Strength, Durability, and Suitability
- Basic Hand Tools: Use, Maintenance, and Sharpening
- Basic Power Tools: Safety, Handling, and Applications
- Wood Joinings: Types, Assembly Techniques, and Adhesives
- Wood Bending Techniques: Steam, Rolling, and Heating
- Plans and Parts Lists: Interpretation, Scaling, and Layout
- Hulal Construction: Traditional and Modern Methods
- Caulking and Sealing: Materials, Techniques, and Procedures
- Wood Finishing and Protection: Varnishes, Paints, and oils
‘
- Introduction to wood: types, properties, and naval uses.
- Hand tools: selection, sharpening, and maintenance.
- Power tools: safety and applications in shipbuilding.
- Adhesives and sealants: types, properties, and applications in shipbuilding.
- Basic assembly techniques: butt joints, half-lap joints, tongue and groove joints.
- Miter and tenon joints: design, cutting, and fitting.
- Reinforcements and fasteners: screws, nails, bolts, and clamps.
- Construction of basic structures: frames, stem, sternpost, and keel.
- Caulking and waterproofing: materials and techniques.
- Wood finishes and protection: varnishes, paints, and oils.
‘
- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
- Introduction to Shipbuilding: History, Materials, and Tools
- Workshop Safety: Personal Protective Equipment, Tool Handling, and Risk Prevention
- Wood: Types, Properties, Selection, Drying, and Storage
- Hand Tools: Use, Maintenance, and Sharpening of Chisels, Planes, Saws, etc.
- Power Tools: Drills, Sanders, Jigsaws, Circular Saws, etc.
- Wood Joints: Basic Joints (Mortise and Tenon, Half-Lap, etc.)
- Caulking: Materials, Techniques, and Tools for Sealing Joints
- Construction of Basic Structures: Frames, Floors, Stem, Sternpost
- Repair and Maintenance: Identification
- Damage, repair techniques, and parts replacement
- Finishes: sanding, varnishing, painting, and wood protection
‘
- Introduction to Wood: Types, properties, sustainability, and selection.
- Hand Tools: Use, maintenance, and safety.
- Power Tools: Use, maintenance, and safety.
- Basic Joints: Butt joints, half-lap joints, mortise and tenon joints.
- Adhesives: Types, applications, and surface preparation.
- Fastening Systems: Screws, nails, and staples.
- Introduction to Naval Design: Plans, scales, and nomenclature.
- Layout and marking of curved pieces.
- Structural Assembly: Frames, floors, and keel.
- Finishing: Sealing, sanding, and varnishing and protection.
‘
- Introduction to wood: Types, properties, and selection for nautical use.
- Basic hand tools: Use, maintenance, and safety.
- Power and battery-powered tools: Safe and efficient use techniques.
- Basic wood joints: Joints, half-lap joints, and butt joints.
- Glued joints: Types of glues, surface preparation, and gluing techniques.
- Bolt and screwed joints: Selection of fasteners, tightening techniques, and sealing techniques..
- Construction of nautical structures: Benches, lockers, and small boats..
- Maintenance and repair of wooden elements in boats.
- Wood finishes and protection: Varnishes, oils, and marine paints.
- Safety in the nautical carpentry workshop and waste management.
‘
- Introduction to Wood: Types, Properties, and Naval Uses
- Basic Shipbuilding Tools: Selection, Maintenance, and Safe Use
- Wood Joinings: Traditional and Modern Assemblies in Shipbuilding
- Construction of Basic Structures: Frames, Keel, and Stem
- Caulking: Materials and Techniques for Waterproofing Wooden Vessels
- Wood Sheathing: Liner, Gunwale, and Decks
- Repair and Maintenance of Marine Timber: Identifying Problems and Solutions
- Finishing and Protecting Wood: Varnishes, Paints, and Oils
- Introduction to Modern Shipbuilding: Combining Wood and Composite Materials
- Workshop Safety Naval: Risk Prevention and Chemical Handling
‘
Career opportunities
- Shipwright: Construction, repair, and maintenance of wooden boats.
- Shipbuilder: Design and manufacture of wooden components for boats.
- Classic Boat Restorer: Conservation and restoration of historic wooden boats.
- Nautical Furniture Maker: Manufacture of custom-made furniture for boat interiors.
- Carpentry Work in Ports and Marinas: Repair of docks, walkways, and other wooden structures.
- Shipbuilding Companies: Collaboration on boat construction and repair projects.
- Self-Employed/Entrepreneur: Creation of your own workshop specializing in boat carpentry.
- Marine Carpentry
- Professor/Instructor: Transmission of knowledge and skills in nautical training centers.
“`
Admission requirements
Academic/professional profile:
Degree/Bachelor's degree in Nautical Science/Maritime Transport, Naval/Marine Engineering, or a related field; or proven professional experience in bridge/operations.
Language proficiency:
Recommended functional maritime English (SMCP) for simulations and technical materials.
5. Induction
Updated resume, copy of degree or seaman's book, ID card/passport, letter of motivation.
Technical requirements (for online):
Equipment with camera/microphone, stable connection, ≥ 24” monitor recommended for ECDIS/Radar-ARPA.
Admission process and dates
1. Online
application
(form + documents).
2. Academic review and interview
(profile/objectives/schedule compatibility).
3. Admission decision
(+ scholarship proposal if applicable).
4. Reservation of place
(deposit) and registration.
5. Induction
(access to campus, calendars, simulator guides).
Scholarships and grants
- Fundamentals of Shipbuilding: Learn the essential techniques for working with wood in maritime environments.
- Tools and Materials: Learn about the specific tools and types of wood most commonly used in boatbuilding.
- Repairs and Maintenance: Master the repair of wooden structures and their preventative maintenance to extend their lifespan.
- Safety and Best Practices: Gain knowledge about workshop safety and best practices in shipbuilding.
- Practical Projects: Participate in practical projects to apply what you’ve learned and develop your skills.
Testimonials
I quickly mastered the fundamental techniques of boatbuilding, from reading blueprints to constructing a small sailboat. My final project, a single-person canoe, demonstrated my ability to shape and assemble wood with precision and efficiency, exceeding the instructor’s expectations for finish and strength.
During the Construction, Painting, and Design course, I acquired practical skills that allowed me to lead the complete renovation of a historic home. From initial planning and interior design to painting and construction details, I successfully applied my newly acquired knowledge, achieving a final result that exceeded the client’s expectations and opened doors to new projects.
I learned fundamental shipbuilding techniques, from selecting the right wood to constructing strong, watertight joints. I successfully built a small rowboat, demonstrating my mastery of the skills I learned during the course.
I quickly mastered the fundamental techniques of boatbuilding, from reading blueprints to constructing strong, watertight joints. My final project, a small rowboat, exceeded the instructor’s expectations in terms of accuracy and finish.
Frequently asked questions
Carpenter’s plane
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna University + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
- Introduction to Wood: Types, Properties, and Naval Uses
- Basic Shipbuilding Tools: Selection, Maintenance, and Safe Use
- Wood Joinings: Traditional and Modern Assemblies in Shipbuilding
- Construction of Basic Structures: Frames, Keel, and Stem
- Caulking: Materials and Techniques for Waterproofing Wooden Vessels
- Wood Sheathing: Liner, Gunwale, and Decks
- Repair and Maintenance of Marine Timber: Identifying Problems and Solutions
- Finishing and Protecting Wood: Varnishes, Paints, and Oils
- Introduction to Modern Shipbuilding: Combining Wood and Composite Materials
- Workshop Safety Naval: Risk Prevention and Chemical Handling
‘
Request information
- Complete the Application Form
- Attach your CV/Qualifications (if you have them to hand).
- Indicate your preferred cohort (January/May/September) and whether you want the hybrid option with simulator sessions.
Teachers
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Naval engineer specializing in the selection, integration, and optimization of propulsion systems for yachts, high-speed craft, and service vessels.
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Materials engineer specializing in marine composites and corrosion protection systems for ships, yachts, and port structures.
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Naval electrical engineer with over fifteen years of experience in the design, integration, and operation of power and automation systems.
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Specialist in meteorological and operational decision-making for coastal and offshore navigation, integrating wind, wave, and current models.
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Naval engineer with a PhD in applied hydrodynamics and over a decade of experience designing high-performance hulls and marine structures.
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
MCA-certified captain with command of ocean-going vessels, specializing in advanced maneuvering, navigation management, and bridge safety.