It took time to develop and perfect a course by which boat building could be taught in a classroom. Homework would have to be done on the kitchen table during wintertime when it is impossible to work outdoors in much of North America. In November 1997 thirteen keen amateurs, who knew nothing about boat and boat model building but were eager to learn, and one naval architect, allowed me to launch the eight-hour course of four weekly, two-hour sessions. Their ages ranged from 14 to 75 years old.

At the end of the course they had all built a two-foot model to scale. The photographs show some samples of their work.

What they were taught became the text of Common Sense Boat and Boat Model Building for City Dwellers, Volume One, The Conventional Way.

For the experience they gave me, and for their enthusiasm, I am extremely grateful.