Our Classic Boat Building program will begin with the construction of an example of a 19th century Connecticut River shadboat, the Brenda M. This boat, measuring 19' 6"  by 7' , will be carvel planked in cedar over steam bent oak frames. A traditional gaff rig and oars will provide her only power. The mission of this vessel will be to provide hands-on experience in the methods employed in the fisheries of the lower Connecticut River during the late 19th century.
    Traditionally, the Connecticut River shadboats (aka dragnet boats) were designed by their builders, who would carve a half-model of the boat (to scale) and develop their lofting from the shape they had developed. The shadboats which evolved in this region were unique and highly refined, and were the only vessel type indigenous to the river.
    Shortly after World War II, Seth Persson designed and built a motorized shadboat of the classic type, making him in all likelihood the last builder to create such a craft in the traditional manner. Now, Jon Persson has developed a design for a new boat in the old ways, working from a half model developed from a close study of the 19th century boats. This boat, to be named the Brenda M, will be built as the inaugural project of the Classic Boat Building program at Seth Persson Boat Builders.
     The Classic Boat Building program will be run for one week each month. Participants will have the opportunity to work for the full week on the building of this vessel, under the expert guidance of Jon and Rick Persson. Each session will pick up on the project at whatever stage it is at, starting with building the backbone, and moving through framing, planking, decking, and sparbuilding. The targeted launching date for the Brenda M is April, 2002. At that time, she will begin a long career of re-creating the lifestyles of a bygone time, from which insights into our present society may be gained.

    The cost for a full week of Classic Boat Building is $650.00 per person, with a limit of six people. If there is sufficient interest, a weekend and evening component will be added, based on an hourly cost of  $16.00 per participant. The schedule for the weeklong sessions of this program are:

    May 21 - 25; June 25 - 29; July 9 - 13; August 13 - 17; September 17 - 21; October 22 - 26; and November 26 - 30.

    Sessions will be scheduled for January through April 2002.

    For a list of tools which you may want to bring when you participate in this project, plese click on Classic Boat Building Tools.