Basic Boat Carpentry Course
Learn the fundamentals of basic carpentry for boats. This course gives you the essential skills to carry out clean woodwork and minor repairs on board, covering tools, timber types, joints and surface protection.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Basic Boat Carpentry Course?
This short course is a way to give your boat a new lease of life. It gives you the skills to carry out repairs, modifications and custom projects on board, covering the use of hand and power tools, joining, assembly and finishing techniques, and work with the timber and materials commonly used in boatbuilding.
Key benefits of the course: practical knowledge to diagnose problems, plan projects and carry out repairs safely; essential techniques for cutting, sanding, planing, assembling and finishing wood for boats; safety procedures and good practice in boat carpentry; custom projects such as building or repairing shelving, tables and benches; and maintenance that keeps the boat in good condition and increases its value through carpentry work.
Programme highlights
- Fundamentals of boat carpentry: basic techniques for working wood in marine environments.
- Tools and materials: specific tools and the types of timber most used on boats.
- Repairs and maintenance: repairing wooden structures and preventive maintenance to extend their service life.
- Safety and good practice: workshop safety and good practice in boat carpentry.
- Practical projects: projects that let you apply what you have learned and develop your skills.
- Take your first steps in boat carpentry.
Syllabus of the Basic Boat Carpentry Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of Boat Carpentry, Wood Materials and Construction Principles Applied to Small and Medium-Sized Boats
- 1.1. The concept of boat carpentry and the differences between marine carpentry, general carpentry and marine cabinetmaking
- 1.2. Types of wooden boats and the structural and non-structural components involving basic carpentry
- 1.3. Physical and mechanical properties of wood used in marine environments and its behaviour in response to moisture, salinity and temperature changes
- 1.4. Solid timber, marine boards, plywood, laminates and complementary materials used in boat construction and repair
- 1.5. Material selection criteria based on strength, workability, durability, weight and exposure to the marine environment
Tools, Equipment and Safety in Basic Boat Carpentry Work
- 2.1. Essential hand tools for measuring, marking, cutting, rebating, assembling and fitting wooden parts in the nautical field
- 2.2. Portable power tools and basic workshop equipment used in small-scale marine carpentry
- 2.3. Measuring, marking-out and squaring techniques applied to curved surfaces, angles and boat-specific parts
- 2.4. Maintenance, adjustment and correct use of tools to ensure precision, safety and quality of work
- 2.5. Occupational hazards in cutting, sanding, drilling, gluing and assembling wooden elements in nautical settings
Cutting, Shaping, Jointing and Assembly Techniques for Wooden Boat Parts
- 3.1. Basic rip, cross, curved and fitting cuts for structural and finishing parts in boats
- 3.2. Planing, rebating, sanding and shaping wood to fit hull geometries and irregular surfaces
- 3.3. Basic mechanical fastenings using screws, bolts, dowels and fixings resistant to the marine environment
- 3.4. Gluing, marine adhesives and surface preparation criteria for strong and durable joints
- 3.5. Basic joints used in thwarts, bulkheads, lids, hatches, frames and interior furniture of boats
Basic Construction and Repair of Interior and Exterior Wooden Elements in Boats
- 4.1. Basic fabrication of seats, lockers, thwarts, lids, hatches and wooden supports for small boats
- 4.2. Installation and fitting of lightweight bulkheads, interior panels, linings and functional compartments in confined spaces
- 4.3. Repair of parts damaged by moisture, impact, rot, wear or faulty fastenings in wooden elements
- 4.4. Replacement of boards, reinforcements, battens and basic components while respecting the shape, fit and functionality of the whole
- 4.5. Integration of hardware, hinges, catches, brackets and nautical fittings into marine carpentry components
Applied Project in Basic Boat Carpentry
- 5.1. Definition of the work case: marine carpentry element to be built, repaired or refurbished on a boat
- 5.2. Selection of materials, tools, fastenings and finishing products according to the component's function, location and requirements
- 5.3. Marking-out, cutting and shaping of the parts needed for the selected basic project
- 5.4. Assembly, fitting and installation of the carpentry element in line with criteria of functionality, safety and suitability for the marine environment
- 5.5. Application of the surface treatment and wood protection system appropriate to the intended use
Duration and format of the Basic Boat Carpentry Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Basic Boat Carpentry Course
Career opportunities after the Basic Boat Carpentry Course
Questions about the Basic Boat Carpentry Course
Carpenter's plane
Yes. The programme includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with port, ocean, fog, heavy-weather and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator stays/internships through partnership agreements.
Okoume
Functional SMCP is recommended. We provide support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a related qualification or experience in maritime/port operations. The admission interview will confirm your suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Partnerships and the Alumni Network.
Simulator exercises (rubrics), passage plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and an applied master's thesis.
More programmes in Shipyard and finishes
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Academic or professional profile: vocational training in carpentry, cabinetmaking or similar, or demonstrable experience in carpentry, preferably on boats.
- Specific knowledge: basic notions of geometry, technical drawing and materials (types of wood, fittings and adhesives).
- Familiarity with tools: prior use of hand and power tools.
- Skills: the ability to work precisely and with attention to detail, to follow instructions and drawings, and to work as part of a team.
- Additional requirements: previous experience repairing or building wooden elements on boats is valued, as is basic knowledge of workshop safety. Enrolment is open all year round; admission is provisional until the committee validates your documentation.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.