Family Boat Building: June 6 + 7
Join us for a family boatbuilding workshop! Build a boat as a family or team up with friends.
Sign up with your team to find out what it takes to build your very own boat - in two days no less! Under the guidance of volunteers and staff, you will build The Elegant Punt, a simple yet sturdy 8-foot row boat, which will be yours to take home at the end. Starting Saturday morning, a dedicated team can finish their boat by Sunday afternoon and launch it for a brief row around the waterway to admire their handiwork.
This two-day class is specially designed for first-time boat builders! No experience is required. You will learn essential skills such as measuring, steam-bending wood, clamping, and laminating, as well as get practice using tools such as hand saws, drills, and routers.
Families are welcome (teams of friends are great too!) - Each team can consist of two to five people, at least two of whom must be adults. Children 10 and up are welcome!
About the boat:
A quick Google of 'Phil Bolger's Elegant Punt' will turn up several helpful videos about the boat and its building process. The Elegant Punt was designed for its simplicity and forgiving nature, perfect for first-time boat builders. While the design is less complicated than most boats, this is a functional and durable craft, stable enough to fit a small family, perfect for picnicking, fishing, or exploring the waterfront. It is small enough to fit in the back of many SUVs and small trucks, and can easily be carried and launched by two adults or several motivated children.
To make it possible for folks to finish their boat in two days, we have prepared a kit for each team. All lumber has been precut, and the transoms are partially pre-assembled. But don't worry, there is still plenty of work to do!
Please note we will not have time to paint or varnish the boat during class, but we highly recommend you do so at home to preserve the integrity of the wood. We can advise on tips and tricks to do so.
You can find pictures and read more about this class on page 16 of the Ash Breeze magazine here:
https://tsca.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AshBreeze-Summer-2025-web.pdf
WHERE: Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock Street, Tacoma WA
WHEN: June 6 + 7, 9 AM - 4 PM
COST: We want every family to have the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial resources. We won’t ask for financial verification, but if you’re able, choosing a higher tier helps another family take part in this experience.
Per family/team (one boat per team):
- $300 – Community supported option
- $600 – Covers the true cost of materials
- $900 – Pay it forward to keep this class accessible for all (thank you!)
Please contact our Boat Shop Manager with any questions:
253-272-2750, ext 106
Event Venue
Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States
