Pram Class Graduation Day

Today ISEA graduated ten students in its Pram Build and Sail Program.  These young students have been working in the ISEA Boat Shop since February to learn how to safely work with tools, how to work cooperatively, and how to have fun gaining new skills. 

Instructors are recognized for their dedication.  John M., Bill E., Terry S. , Mike C. , Sandy S. & Chuck D.
Not present were Sandy K., Larry W., Toni D., Scott M., & Paul M. 

Graduates with diplomas

Graduates with new life jackets provided by ISEA

Build and Sail graduates will attend TACS sailing school this summer to learn how to sail the boats they built.

Special thanks to Chuck Dickerson for his leadership in this program.

--Tom K. 

Pram Building Class, Week 8

This week our students applied the first top coat of paint to the prams.  One is blue (M blue!) and one is green (for that other school?).  The interiors are white.  A second coat will be applied next week.

Following the painting, Chuck gave a short lesson on boat terminology.  Each student got handouts to help them learn the names of all the parts of a boat. 

Pram Building Class, Week 6

This week our pram-building students installed the daggerboard trunk, quarter and bow knees, seats.  They also epoxy-puttied the many screw heads used to attach the bottom and sides. 

Pram Building Class - Week 4 - February 23, 2013

This week students glued and fastened the plywood hull sides to the prams. This required a lot of precision drilling and teamwork. Next week the bottom!

Pram Building Class #3

This past Saturday our Pram Building Crew was hard at it again:

ISEA's Pram Building Class is a great example of how we transfer skills and positive attitudes from one generation to the next.  All Boat Shop Instructors are volunteers who gladly give their time to help these youngsters experience the planning, team work and skill development needed to build a boat.

This program is provided to the students at no cost.  The Pram Building Class costs ISEA about $3,800 to put on (for materials and supplies).  We are seeking corporate and/or individual partners who would like to help cover this cost.  Please contact Kathy Lievense, ISEA Development Director, for more information.  (231-271-3077).

Pram Class #2 2-2-13

Each winter the ISEA Pram Building Class constructs two Optimist prams.  These students are aged 10 - 15 and have no prior experience building boats.  The course is sponsored by ISEA and the students participate for free.  The finished boats are donated to TACS and each student builder gets a scholarship to TACS to learn how to sail the boat they built during the winter.  

Saturday in the ISEA Boat Shop - Opti Prams Nearing Completion

Installing deck hardware.

Painting the daggerboards and rudders.

 Next Saturday is the Graduation Ceremony for the Boat Shop students. They will get a certificate and a scholarship to the Northport Youth Sailing School this summer.

Inland Seas' rebuilt head gets a fresh coat of paint!

In The Boat Shop - Pram Class #1

Today was our first day of pram construction.  The students learned how to use epoxy glue and clamps, and practiced the safety procedures they learned at the orientation sesson.  And at the end of the today's session, they got to feed the fish in the tanks upstairs.

Epoxy coating a transom

Rolling on epoxy

Can't have too many clamps!

Done for the day.  See you next Saturday. 

Pram Builders Graduate - and Get Ready To Set Sail

The young pram builders at the Inland Seas Boat Shop received certificates of completion this past Saturday and were each given their own PFD (life jacket) and a scholarship to the Northport Youth Sailing School where they will learn how to sail the boats they built.  More photos are available at ISEA's Flickr page.

Thanks to the ISEA Volunteer Boat Builder Instructors, their leader Chuck Dickerson, and the Collectors Foundation who funded this project.  Thanks also to the parents, grandparents, and friends who brought the students to class each Saturday!

Pram Building Continues in the Inland Seas Boat Shop

On Saturday March 19, students in the Pram Building class began making the centerboard trunk and puttying the 300+ screw heads on each boat.  More photos are available on our Flickr page.

Centerboard

Putty Application

Pram Building Graduation Ceremony At ISEA Boat Shop

Jim and Donna Chapman are recognized for their work with the Northport Youth Sailing School. Our prams will become part of their program this summer, and the student boat builders will each receive a scholarship for a week of sailing instruction at NYSS. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northport-MI/Northport-Youth-Sailing-School/116961566389

Our 11 boatbuilders proudly display their Certificates of Achievement.

Everyone enjoyed the treats after the ceremony!

--Tom Kelly