"Five arts." Tiverton High School students are proud of the wooden boat they built
Traveling along the Sauconette River in his family's boat, Keegan Dutel proudly passed the wooden boat he and his classmates built at Tiverton High School.
"It's cool to see some of the boats you've built," Dutel, 18, said.
Dutel will likely see more of himself and his classmates this summer. He and other members of instructor Bill Phillips' marine woodworking class are putting the finishing touches on a 15-foot Sauconette River flat-bottom boat that is already under contract for sale.
The students built a 15ft Chester Yawle, a 12ft Cedar Kayak and another 12ft Kayak, all brilliant vessels that showcased their carpentry and joinery skills.
"Art Pops, that's what I call them," said director Susan Craven.
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With 400 miles of coastline, Sea Carpenter is a good choice
The volume is the result of years of study and practice under Phillips and assistant instructor Jim Gauch in the high school's marine woodworking technology program. According to Lee Cusumano, the school's CTE coordinator, it's one of six career and technical education programs the school offers as an elective so students can explore different career fields.
About 60 of the school's 500 students chose the Marine Mill Technology program. Students can also gain engineering/robotics experience; Computer; public safety and law enforcement; Visible paint; and as certified practical nurses, according to Cusumano.
Phillips and Gauch said marine carpentry is a perfect fit for Rhode Island, which has 400 miles of coastline and many people who work and play on the water. "The marine industry is a huge industry in Rhode Island, and it needs skilled workers," Phillips said. "I think we're putting them on the right track."
Students in the program have gone on to work for companies such as Sakonnet Lobster Co., Safe Harbor Marinas, Westport Yacht Club and Freedom Boat Club. Some continued their education at schools such as the IYRS School of Technology and Trades at Newport and the Maine Maritime Academy.
Others focused on different fields in college but retained carpentry skills they could rely on for life. "Shipbuilding is like the next step in woodworking," Gauch said.
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What will marine carpentry students learn?
In the first year, they start with the basics. With an emphasis on safety, they learn to use all the tools in the school's two woodworking shops, which are stocked with "tools used in the field today," Phillips said.
As students progress, they build cutting boards and furniture. In their junior and senior years, they typically build two boats a year. They start with rough sawn material before planing, cutting and joining the boards to the correct shape, size and angle.
“Students love working on real projects,” Phillips said. “The look on their faces when we launch these boats is amazing.
"I love this class," said Ben Curtis, who will continue his education at the Maine Naval Academy to join the Coast Guard.
As the school year ends and boating season begins, Curtis, Dutel and several classmates recently showed off their skills at the shop's equipment and displayed the products of their lessons and work. They also discuss their interests and plans.
"We have exceptional students," Phillips said.
Like Curtis, Dutel plans to continue his studies in the maritime field. He will join IYRS next year. Duttel, who grew up in Tiverton and worked in Newport, says he's been around a lot of nice boats and wants to keep improving his skills. That said, I've always loved boats.
Senior Dylan Combra started woodworking when he was "very young" and is glad he was able to develop his skills in school. He plans to attend IYRS or the New England Institute of Technology.
About 20% of the program is female, including Kailyn Verrett. Although Verrett plans to study forensic psychology in college, she thinks woodworking is better for girls. "I like to do my job," he said.
Devin Boarder, a junior, said he enjoys other hands-on courses like woodworking and welding. "It's great to be able to work with your hands and make things," she said.
On the grass behind the school were three containers made by the students: pots and two kayaks. Sanded and varnished cedar tongue and groove showcases the beauty of nature and the intricate patterns of the wood used to build the kayaks.
"The kids make all these pieces and put them together," Phillips said. "Everything is sealed."
Some pieces of wood are no more than an inch long. How many coins were used? No one could say for sure. Hundreds, Curtis thought.
What happens to the boats the students build?
Inside the carpentry shop was a flat-bottomed Sakonet River boat, a sturdy boat that could be used for fishing, cruising or pleasure trips.
“It's our design. I learned that when I was a kid,” said Phillips, who grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Tiverton High School.
Students change the design every year. For example, they have added seats and storage spaces among other features. "It's the most beautiful boat we've ever built," Phillips said.
The boat is sold for $3,500 and the money is reinvested into the project to buy materials to build more boats. Other boats can also be sold or towed to make money. On June 10, Phillips and his students will likely take a boat to nearby Grinnell Beach to demonstrate during the city's annual Safety and Health Day.
The school has had open openings in the past. It's great fun for students, Phillips said. This can be frustrating for their coach, even if he tells them not to worry.
"We haven't sunk any ship yet," he said with a smile.
