Great Lakes Boat Building School

Finding Balance

New instructor promotes experiential learning… by: Dave Murray Patrick “Pat” Owen arrived at GLBBS, like many students, from a tapestry background that blended life experience, art, curiosity, and skill. “I was a photographer for the Navy but never set foot on a boat,” the 64-year instructor said. He and Rob Freel will be taking over […]


Posted: October 24, 2017 | View More »

Maiden Voyage of the Marilyn Jean

A multi-year project for second year students at GLBBS culminated this academic year, with the launch of the Marilyn Jean.     A replica of a turn-of-the-century Truscott fantail launch, the Marilyn Jean was built by GLBBS for the Inland Water Route Historical Society  (IWRHS) out of Alanson, MI. She is 30-feet long and boasts seating for […]


Posted: October 24, 2017 | View More »

My Neighbor

“…human meaning is made by seeing into what is.” –Jane Hirshfield, Nine Gates IT IS OFTEN NOTED that we don’t really know our neighbors, the people living next door. We can see them go to work, perhaps have a conversation with them, and we can watch their friends and families come to visit. We sometimes […]


Posted: August 18, 2017 | View More »

GLBBS NAMES ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

scholarship named for School visionary Great Lakes Boat Building School has established an endowed scholarship fund, held by the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation. The goal of this fund was to help students who had demonstrated exceptional achievement and aptitude, and who, without financial assistance would be unable to continue with their education at GLBBS. The idea of having a […]


Posted: July 4, 2017 | View More »

Restoring Passion

GLBBS selects home grown talent to fill instructor roll By: Dave Murray Rob Freel, one of two new instructors at Great Lakes Boat Building School, brings not only more than a decade of experience in boat restoration (“from top to bottom”) and construction, but also a background in business, and is a home grown native […]


Posted: June 18, 2017 | View More »

Congratulations to the class of 2017

ON MAY 27th, GLBBS CELEBRATED THE GRADUATION OF ITS TENTH CLASS. Sixteen students in total received certificates that bright, sunny day, including 11 from the Traditional Boat Building program and 5 from the Comprehensive Career Program. The first year students receiving their certification were Pamela Blusk, Rachel Conant, Roger Dunham, Ty Fairchild, Gordon Kwiatkowski, Jonas […]


Posted: May 27, 2017 | View More »

GLBBS BECOMES 10th ABYC MARINE LEAGUE MEMBER

In February of 2017 GLBBS was approached by the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) about joining the Marine League of Schools – a group of educational institutions that (with support from ABYC) collaborate to increase the number of qualified marine professionals through: Education Certification Continuing Education Workforce Development Industry & Community Engagement In March, […]


Posted: May 1, 2017 | View More »

A peek inside our workshop

Workshop Timelapse from GLBBS Vimeo on Vimeo.


Posted: April 21, 2017 | View More »

LEARNING CURVES…Thoughts On Craftsmanship

by: Patrick Mahon, Director of Education We talk about teaching and preserving “craftsmanship” so it is appropriate that we define what we mean by that term. Sometimes the word is used to describe anyone who works with their hands, or makes something tangible. I think it is more flexible in definition and often up to […]


Posted: January 9, 2017 | View More »

GLBBS 2017 Visit Day Schedule

Great Lakes Boat Building School’s Director of Student Services, Ryan Hinnen, announced today the School’s upcoming Visit Day schedule for Spring 2017. “GLBBS is pleased to invite any prospective students interested in learning the art and craft of boat building to attend one of our upcoming Visit Days,” Hinnen said.  “We understand that attending full-time […]


Posted: January 3, 2017 | View More »

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