Upcoming Workshops
Join Bob at his workshop for immersive, small-group classes where you'll learn directly from Bob Emser in a working boat shop environment. Perfect for hobbyists, artisans, and aspiring builders who want hands-on experience. Here are some recommended workshops or classes for beginners interested in building their own wooden boats.
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Stitch and Glue Kayak in One Week
Dates TBA
Location Eureka, IL
Tuition $990.00
Kayak Kit $1479.00
Instructor Bob Emser
Experience Level Beginner
Class Size 4 Participants
This is a 5.5 day course
Join master boatbuilder Bob Emser for an unforgettable hands-on workshop where you’ll build your very own Wood Duck 12, one of Chesapeake Light Craft’s most popular and versatile kayaks. Over the course of 5½ days, you’ll learn the complete stitch-and-glue construction process—from assembling precision-cut marine plywood panels to applying fiberglass and epoxy for a strong, beautiful finish.
The Wood Duck 12 is a lightweight, stable recreational kayak designed for paddlers of all experience levels. Its smooth lines and comfortable cockpit make it perfect for lakes, rivers, and quiet coastal waters.
TBA
Pattern Making and Casting Marine Fittings
Dates September 11-13, 2025
Location Eureka, IL
Tuition $900
Materials $290
Instructor Bob Emser
Experience Level Beginner
Class Limit 4 participants
This is a 3 day course
Whether you're a seasoned pro or amateur boatbuilder building modern sailboats, traditional wooden skiffs, or anything in between there's one challenge all boatbuilders face: sourcing the right hardware. Specialty bronze fittings can be hard to find and even harder to afford when custom casting is the only option.
Join Bob Emser in this dynamic, hands-on workshop where you'll dive into the fascinating world of bronze casting. From the fundamentals of pattern making and sand molding to constructing your own low-cost furnace, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to cast metal parts with precision and creativity.
Even if you don’t plan to cast your own hardware long-term, this course equips you with the design and pattern making knowledge you need to work smarter and more cost-effectively with commercial foundries.
Each participant will create a pattern and cast an original piece of hardware from start to finish, learning critical foundry safety protocols and sourcing tips along the way. You’ll also discover techniques to refine and finish your custom castings for professional-grade results.
Canceled
Witness the Casting of a Full-Size Lead Ballast Keel.
Dates October 23-25th 2026
Location Eureka, IL
Tuition $900
Instructor Bob Emser
Experience All Levels
This is a 2.5 day course
Most boatbuilders will never witness a full-size lead ballast keel casting.
This October, I'm opening the shop for a rare 2.5 day workshop where six participants will follow the entire process from mold construction to the final pour.
Because of the specialized nature of the project and the limited enrollment, this workshop is expected to fill quickly.
Join us for a unique opportunity to witness and understand one of the most remarkable operations in boatbuilding.
You'll learn:
✓ Mold construction
✓ Casting calculations
✓ Safety procedures
✓ Casting setup
✓ DIY melting pot construction
✓ Keel design considerations
Plus evening boatbuilding discussions and a visit to our lakeside retreat to survey completed boats and discuss the decisions behind their construction.
This is not a classroom lecture. It's a chance to experience one of the most fascinating operations in traditional boatbuilding firsthand.
If you've ever wondered how a sailboat's ballast keel is made, this is your opportunity to see the entire process up close.
October 23-24, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
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Workshop pricing varies based on the length and type of workshop. A detailed cost breakdown is provided at wit each workshops full description.
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Yes. All required tools, wood, fasteners, and supplies are provided. Participants may bring personal hand tools if they prefer.
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Yes. There are many AirBnB’s available in town. There are Hotels and campsite that include RV hookups and cabin rentals. A curated list of nearby hotels, campgrounds, and short-term rentals is provided with your registration welcome email for your convenience.
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All skill levels are welcome. The workshops are designed for beginners through experienced woodworkers, with instructor guiding every stage of the build.
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Most are over 3 day weekend. The executions are the Kayak class is 5¹⁄₂ day and the rigging class is 2 days.
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The registrations are kept low to provide individualize instruction. Most are limited to 4 participants, The rigging workshop is limited to 3.