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.
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.
