Boatbuilding Schools

(IYRS) is a non-profit institution dedicated to education and maritime preservation. The school teaches the skills, history, art and science of building, restoring and maintaining wooden boats and their systems. IYRS offers intensive programs in traditional wooden boatbuilding and marine systems, employing a time-honored educational model that teaches problem solving, teamwork, project management and hands-on skills. IYRS graduates are highly regarded for their passion and craftsmanship, and work in many of the premier modern and restoration yards around the world. Our Mission: ■To teach the skills, history, art, and science of building, restoring, and maintaining wooden boats and their systems; ■To preserve the knowledge, heritage, craftsmanship and aesthetic genius inherent in these boats; ■To safeguard our site and historic buildings as an important part of America's working waterfront; ■To show that honest work, integrity and mastery of a craft are among life's great achievements. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). In 2004, IYRS was designated a “School of Distinction” for its in-depth curriculum and the delivery of its programs by an extraordinary instructor core. IYRS was founded in 1993. In 1996, the school opened its doors with a two-year apprentice program in Boatbuilding and Restoration. Its first graduate completed the program in 1998. In 2005 and 2006, the school rolled out two additional professional programs: Continuing Education programs and a full-time certificate program in Marine Systems, the latter in partnership with the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). IYRS graduates have worked alongside some of the most accomplished boat builders in both modern and restoration yards throughout the world, including Fairlie Restorations, Pendennis, The Concordia Company, The Hinckley Company, Brooklin Boat Yard, Alden Yachts and Sparkman & Stephens. The unique nature of the IYRS educational model allows students to learn an in-demand craft while restoring, maintaining and returning historically important small yachts to the water. To date, IYRS students have returned nearly 100 historic wooden boats to the water. IYRS has two campus locations in Newport and Bristol, RI. The Newport campus is located on a 2 ½ acre historic waterfront site. Classes for the Boatbuilding & Restoration program are held in Restoration Hall, a converted electric generating plant. IYRS has an excellent marina with dockage for our restored vessels and visiting classics. The campus includes a recently restored 1831 steam mill building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Coronet, an 1885 schooner yacht, currently under restoration. The Marine Systems program is housed in a new facility in Bristol. Both areas are rich in boating history and marine industry, including some of the most highly acclaimed boat yards and boat builders in New England.

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