
Women on the Water
WHEN: Wednesdays from 6-8PM; June 7 – October 11
LBS Members: $175 for season (weather permitting)
Drop in fee: $22 ($20 LBS Members)
Join us at Lowell’s Boat Shop every Wednesday evening for a Girls Night Out rowing adventure on the Mighty Merrimack. Depending on our numbers and the tide, we’ll row together in the Surf Dory or in teams in our Banks Dories to different destinations along the Merrimack – for a hike, a dip, or simply for the sheer pleasure of rowing on the river. Bring a libation to enjoy on the lawn after our rowing outing, and perhaps a snack to share; LBS will provide seltzer and a little something to nosh on!
Space is limited; please register in advance to reserve a spot. Rowing experience is not required.

Thursday Evening Row
WHEN: Thursdays from 6-8PM; June 8 – October 12 (weather permitting)
LBS Members: $175 for season
Drop in fee: $22 ($20 LBS Members)
Join us at Lowell’s Boat Shop every Thursday evening for a day’s end rowing adventure on the Mighty Merrimack. Depending on our numbers and the tide, we’ll row together in the Surf Dory or in teams in our Banks Dories to different destinations along the Merrimack – for a hike, a dip, or simply for the sheer pleasure of rowing on the river. Bring a libation to enjoy on the lawn after our rowing outing, and perhaps a snack to share; LBS will provide seltzer and a little something to nosh on!
Space is limited; please register in advance to reserve a spot. Rowing experience is not required.

Painting and Varnishing with Gary Lowell
WHEN: Saturday, November 4 from 9-3 and Sunday, November 5 from 10-2
LBS Members: $215; Nonmembers: $235
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
Marine finishing requires a lot of careful preparation, good technique, and an understanding of marine coatings. Gary Lowell will present two information-packed days of painting and varnishing. He starts with surface preparation, including techniques for sanding, to help make the job less tedious. You will learn how to choose the right brush and several brushing techniques. You’ll also learn how to protect yourself so you can get a beautiful finish and stay healthy at the same time. Students are encouraged to bring small projects such as a hatch or seat to use as practice in class. Please check with the shop staff prior to bringing your project.
OUTLINE:
Introductions
Safety Rules – dust control & chemical use
Surface Prep – paint and varnish removal, sanders and sanding techniques, & fairing putties and fillers
Brushes and Brushing Techniques – brushing & rolling and tipping
Applying Paint and Varnish
Specialty Products – masking, bleaching, staining, teak finishes, & wet sanding and buffing
Instructor:
Gary Lowell is a descendant of the Lowells who founded Lowell’s Boat Shop. He is the president of Lowell Boats Inc.in Greensboro, NC, an award-winning boatshop specializing in classic runabout restoration. Gary teaches painting and varnishing at the WoodenBoat School and is a long-time friend of LBS.
for more info visit https://lowellboats.weebly.com/

Building the Rogue River Special
WHEN: Saturday, November 11 through Thursday, November 16
9AM-5PM each day; 9AM-Noon on Thursday
LBS Members: $925; Nonmembers: $1015
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
Space is limited to 12 participants
Throughout the mid-1900s Oregon Drift Boats were evolving on the McKenzie and Rogue Rivers. Their classic dory shapes were developed for stability and quick maneuverability in fast, rocky rivers. The Rogue boats were fuller bodied, better adapted to bigger rapids and heavier loads, and had a somewhat flattened midsection for greater buoyancy and tracking. In 1956 Jerry Briggs, second generation river guide and boatbuilder in Grants Pass, Oregon, designed the Rogue River Special, still considered by many to be the best open drift boat ever created.
Boatbuilding dream team Cricket Rust and Brad Dimock of Fretwater Boatworks will be teaching a six-day class at Lowell’s Boat Shop November 11-16. Lowell’s is considered the birthplace of the dory and there can be no more appropriate place to recreate this Briggs masterpiece. The class will begin by lofting the boat—drawing it full size and fine-tuning all the curves for a perfect boat. Then we’ll build the parts—ribs, transom, and bowpost— right on top of the lofting to preserve our lines. Meanwhile we will scarf together sheets of plywood to make the large panels for sides and floor. By day three we expect to pull the hull together and get ready to install the bottom. The remainder of the course will involve installing gunwales, seats, fly deck and hardware. Sometime on day six we will launch her in the Merrimack River outside the boat shop, and hold a drawing for whoever wishes to take her home for the cost of materials.
During this course you will learn how to create the lines and parts for any drift boat from a rudimentary (and often inaccurate) set of numbers. You will learn how to assemble a hull and fine tune as we move along. Much of boatbuilding is troubleshooting and problem solving; we will take you through each step. We will be very busy throughout the week but we guarantee it will be not only very educational, but a tremendous amount of fun.
Instructors:
Brad Dimock comes from a long line of carpenters. He combines this heritage with five decades of rowing boats in the whitewater of Grand Canyon, the West, and the world. He owns and operates Fretwater Boatworks in Flagstaff, Arizona. Along with his small eclectic crew, Dimock specializes in designing and building Grand Canyon dories of all sizes. Fretwater Boatworks strives to perpetuate the heritage and skills of wooden whitewater boatbuilding, while keeping the craft fun, innovative, and exciting. He teaches boatbuilding and other skills at his shop and at WoodenBoat School. When Brad and his crew are not in the boatshop, they can be found rowing their brightly painted boats on the rivers of the West.
Cricket Rust has been boating Grand Canyon since she was eight, and works summers there rowing dories and rafts. She has worked as a boat designer, builder, and painter at Fretwater Boatworks for seven years and is Dimock’s “right-hand man.” She is a gifted teacher both in the shop and at WoodenBoat School. She is currently writing a book on traditional construction of whitewater dories.
Click this link for a lovely documentary on our last Lowell’s class:
And a blog post about the same:

Build Your Own Plymouth Rock’r Rocking Boat
WHEN: Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19
Friday and Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 9AM-4PM
LBS Members: $250; Nonmembers: $275
Materials fee: $255 (same for both Members & Nonmembers)
Total cost: LBS Members: $505; Nonmembers: $530
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
In this class, each student will build their own Plymouth Rock’r, a children’s rocking “chair” inspired by the design of the traditional Banks Dory. In building this glued lapstrake dory, students will learn how to shape the bottom, stem and transom; determine bevel angles; and spile and shape planks. Students will also fashion the breasthook and stern knees, as well as the seat and rockers. Students will complete building their Plymouth Rock’r in this 3-day class.
Instructor: Bob Fuller is a 3rd generation master craftsman. He owns South Shore Boatworks, and specializes in building traditional wooden ships wheels and patternmaking for bronze hardware, as well as building and restoration of wooden small craft. Bob teaches classes at the WoodenBoatSchool and in his shop. He has demonstrated his skills at National Park Service events, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, and The Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Bob lives in Plymouth, MA with his wife Peggy, and is teaching his daughter Christina to be a 4th generation wheel builder.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Sometimes even our best laid plans get derailed – we get it. If you find you must cancel your registration for a class, workshop or program, please do so ASAP; we often limit the class size, and if you can’t attend, it’s possible someone else is waiting to take your place. If you cancel before the two-week out mark, you will get a full refund. If you cancel two weeks or fewer from the class/workshop/program start date, you will be credited the registration fee to use toward a future LBS class/workshop/program, less a $50 administration charge and any materials fees.
Often our classes/workshops/programs require a minimum number of participants to run. We reserve the right to cancel any class/workshop/program due to under-enrollment. We will do our best to give those that have registered a two-week notice of cancelation; of course all registrants will be refunded in full.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND ASSISTANCE
Lowell’s Boat Shop is committed to encouraging everyone to participate in our programs, and to ensuring that all feel welcome and included. We do our best to keep our pricing as reasonable as possible, but if you feel you can’t swing the registration fee for a particular class, workshop or event, please contact us and we’ll work with you to make it happen.

Women on the Water
WHEN: 3rd Thursday evenings, 6-9PM; June 18 – September 17
Join us at Lowell’s Boat Shop every 3rd Thursday of the month for a Girl’s Night Out adventure. Depending on our numbers and the tide, we’ll row together in the Surf Dory or in teams in our Banks dories to different destinations along the Merrimack – for a hike, a dip, or simply for the sheer pleasure of rowing on the river. After our rowing outing, we’ll head to The Ale House for libations and a bite!
Members: $15
Nonmembers: $17

Women on the Water
WHEN: 3rd Thursday evenings, 6-9PM; June 18 – September 17
Join us at Lowell’s Boat Shop every 3rd Thursday of the month for a Girl’s Night Out adventure. Depending on our numbers and the tide, we’ll row together in the Surf Dory or in teams in our Banks dories to different destinations along the Merrimack – for a hike, a dip, or simply for the sheer pleasure of rowing on the river. After our rowing outing, we’ll head to The Ale House for libations and a bite!
Members: $15
Nonmembers: $17

Seafaring and Sail Training for Adults
When: Friday, September 18th – Sunday, September 201th
Join us for a weekend sail training adventure aboard the wooden 131’ gaff-rigged schooner Harvey Gamage! A collaboration between Lowell’s Boat Shop and Sailing Ships Maine, this voyage offers the opportunity to cruise the Maine Coast as a member of the Gamage crew, helping to put the Schooner through her paces. Sail handling, navigation, watchstanding, and using the schooner’s safety and anchoring equipment will all be a part of your daily life at sea. Our itinerary will be dictated by the weather, but may include a visit to historic Jewell Island, occasions to observe marine mammals and sea birds up close, a talk about the Maine fisheries and aquaculture, and an evening of stargazing with an astronomy buff. Enjoy delicious meals and restful nights at anchor — interrupted only by your night watch, a memorable experience.
Space is limited. Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com if you have questions.
Program Dates & Rates
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Board Friday, September 18, 2020 at 4pm in Portland, ME (dinner will be served on board)
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Disembark Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 4pm in Portland, ME
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Fee of $595 per person ($1090 per couple) includes 3 meals per (full) day (dinner on Friday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday). While adult beverages will be allowed at dinner (BYOB), the hands-on nature of this distinctive program requires that participants be mindful and aware at all times while on watch.
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Due to the uncertainties presented by the Covid-19 epidemic, we are not requiring deposits at this time. You are welcome to register to hold your spot without any financial obligation; once we are able to confirm, we will connect with you and request payment. Click on the FREE ticket to hold your spot.
Please note: If you are looking for an experience with no sail training involved, we will be offering opportunities to sail and stay onboard the Harvey Gamage during the Gloucester Schooner Festival (September 4-6); details coming soon.