Traditional Small Craft Instructors

I have mentioned various things about the instructors in my previous posts; however, I think videos of them speaking about their experience at the school is far more valuable. I would be dishonest in saying that I have a favorite...I actually enjoy the uniqueness that each one offers. This may look and feel like a commercial for the school but the actuality is that it is real and I hope to be able to take away a little part of each instructor as I venture out on my own. It's without a doubt that we are lucky to have three of the best instructors in the country in one program.

Jeff Hammond, Senior Instructor
Jeff apprenticed to Bob Prothero, preeminent Northwest boat builder and founder of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and began teaching at the School in 1985. As the School’s senior instructor, Jeff has led thousands of students through the lofting and building of more than seventy-five vessels ranging in size from eight to fifty feet. An excellent instructor both in the classroom and on the boatbuilding floor, Jeff has continually adapted and improved his building techniques and his teaching methodology. As a result, Jeff is instrumental not only in the direct instruction of our students, but also mentorship of the next generation of boat building instructors at the Boat School. Most recently, Jeff led his Traditional Small Craft students in building one of the three boats used by the British Broadcasting Corporation to recreate John Wesley Powell’s iconic 1869 trip through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River while completing four other traditionally-built boats. Jeff enjoys mountain biking when not in the boat shop with his students.

Peter Bailey, Instructor
After 4 years in USCG search and rescue, learning the many ways boating can go wrong, Peter apprenticed as a boat builder to Donlon J. Arques of Sausalito CA. This old school builder of tugs and barges gave him a unique education in traditional construction techniques as practiced in the San Francisco area before World War Two. Peter then went on to another apprenticeship as Historic Rigger at Mystic Seaport, then worked in various small yards in the San Francisco Bay area. He repaired and rebuilt fishing vessels and yachts. He also crewed on various large schooners and square-riggers in every job from Seaman to Captain (of the Columbus replica “Nina”), several of them being instructional vessels where he taught seamanship to youth. He designed and built a modified Slocum “Spray”, launched in 1984 and has sailed it extensively on the West coast from Mexico to northern British Columbia, refining practical skills and researching small sailing ship operation. At San Francisco Boat Works, Peter ran the wood shop and was responsible for all wooden vessel repairs, including many classic, cold molded and strip planked boats. After ten years in the film business including 3 “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies he returned to the marine trades after moving to Port Townsend in 2008. He brings over 50 years of practical experience in boat building, repair, maintenance and operation and is a unique asset to our School.

Leigh O'Connor, Instructor
Leigh grew up on the coastal town of Swampscott MA. He formed a love for the ocean at a young age and spent summers working on Lobster boats out of Beverly and Nahant. He attended the Art Institute of Boston where he studied as an apprentice in sculpture and bronze casting. He worked as a welder and metal fabricator to help pay for his education. After graduating he moved into the field of woodworking, cabinetmaking, construction, and Historical Restoration. In 2008 he received an Associate’s Degree from the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and immediately began working as a shipwright. He has worked for himself and also with two of the top wooden boat companies in the Port of Port Townsend. Leigh has a long history of working in the trades, but has also been honing his skills as a teacher over the years. He has taught college classes, children’s classes, and has been a guest instructor at the NWSWB. Leigh believes that nothing is impossible. With the proper tools and information a person can accomplish anything. It is his dream to pass on true skills to students who want to excel as craftsmen.