Friends and Family of The Landing School,

Well, it’s almost May, and May means… Graduation!

There is a certain excitement in the air as students really see the finish line ahead of them and I share in the excitement. The project boats are wrapping up (some are done already), the Town Class sailboats are in the finishing stages (I can’t wait to see what final colors are chosen) and the Yacht Design final projects are looking very professional (after many long, industrious hours in the studio).

And of course, spring is the time for our annual spring appeal. I often say that The Landing School is a transformational place / experience for so many people. I have personally seen it change lives and launch tremendous careers but, like any institution of higher learning, it takes the generosity of people like you to continue to offer the rewarding, hand-on experience our students enjoy. Please consider giving generously this spring. Thank you!

Sincerely,  

Marine Systems

In Marine Systems the ABYC exam is in the rear view mirror and all hands are on tools. It’s a race to the finish to complete the project boats for sea trials in a few weeks. Last week, during an afternoon Open House, our visitors were captivated by the buzz of the Systems Shop, as students busily worked on any number of projects, both on and off the boats.

Although the project boats are a heavy focus, the final weeks of the program include bonus demonstrations and labs on topics such as diaphragm pumps and transducers. Before we know it it’ll be on to graduation and the Marine Systems students will transition to the next phase in their new careers!

Wooden Boat Building

Graduation is right around the corner! We are 5 weeks away from the Landing School graduation but here in Wooden Boat, we count the weeks until splashing the Town Class project boats, and that adds up to 4 + or – weeks! Woodworking is nearly complete with only the coaming left to install. The varnish logs are filling up with tick marks as the seats and centerboard trunk cap are just 1 coat away from a final coat, the rub rails, the transom, and spars have gotten 1 – 3 coats, and the floorboards are just about ready for non-skid paint. Phew, there are a lot of brushes in the air, and tape is flying off the rolls!

Our 1st line splicing clinic takes place this week as we welcome back, Ben Anderson, WBB '21. Our class will learn techniques to complete all the splices for the Town Class rigging and a few specialty splices to keep it interesting. Ben took to splicing very quickly and is eager to share his knowledge with the class of '23.

As our friend and colleague Rick Barkhuff always said, it is easy to start a project but difficult to complete one! Our students are nearing the completion of 2 Town Class Sailboats and that is quite an accomplishment.

Yacht Design

There is a very quiet atmosphere in the design studio these days as the students focus intently on the development and completion of their final projects.

However, each day at 11am, there is a welcome break in the silence. This is because the students are also giving their individual presentations on a topic of their choice. There have been a wide range of topics from Ice Boating to Sonar as well as Celestial Navigation and Drone Piloting!