Howdy folks — Mark here from Nomad Boatbuilding! In today’s video, I’m in Copenhagen, Denmark, spending the day inside the last and only traditional sailmaking workshop still operating in the city — A. Hansen Sailmakers, founded back in 1934. Join me as I meet Frida, one of Denmark’s few remaining traditional sailmakers, who graciously lets me step behind the sewing machine to help craft a new square-rigged sail for a tall ship. Together we talk about: The 91-year history of this tiny yet legendary workshop The craft of hand-sewn sails and the tools that make it possible Working with Duradon sailcloth, traditional ropes, and vintage machines The challenges of handling massive sails in a workshop the size of a small kitchen Preserving maritime craftsmanship in the modern age This visit is a rare glimpse into a vanishing world of handmade sails, ropework, and Danish maritime heritage — all kept alive by passion, skill, and tradition. If you love traditional boatbuilding, wooden boats, or old-world crafts, you’ll love this one. ⚓️ Watch till the end to see how I (sort of) manage to sew a straight line on Freda’s machine without making a mess of her sail! 💡 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL If you’d like to support the work I do and help keep these craft traditions alive, you can: 👉 Give this video a thumbs up 👍 👉 Subscribe to the channel & turn on notifications 🔔 👉 Join me over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding 👉 Or send a Super Thanks under the video! 🧵 CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction — Visiting Copenhagen’s last sailmaker 1:10 Inside the Selma Hensen sail loft 3:45 Sewing a 6x12m square sail 7:00 Talking tools, canvas, and stitching 12:40 Ropework and the “crown cringle” 18:00 Traditional materials — flax, synthetic rope, and beeswax 24:30 Trying my hand at sail sewing 30:00 Reflections on preserving maritime craft ⚓️ HASHTAGS #Boatbuilding #Sailmaking #TraditionalCraftsmanship #MaritimeHeritage #Copenhagen #Denmark #WoodenBoats #Sailing #Craftsmanship #NomadBoatbuilding #Handmade #Sailmaker #TallShip #TraditionalSkills #SailingCulture My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/

Here’s a fun little Colin Archer pilot boat scaled down to day sailor size. This boat belongs to my good friend in Denmark, Mikkel Pagh of @SmallBoatSchool My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Join boatbuilder Mark Reuten at Nomad Boatbuilding as we take on one of the trickiest repairs for a traditional lapstrake dinghy: replacing and scarfing in a fractured garboard plank. This video is the third of a three-part series focused on bringing this traditional dinghy back to life. Watch the other videos here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnOoJJKdbR4Lk9QaAMWkjBHCzF1Nto2Um&si=m72QgA4loWVJxsnS In this episode, you’ll see the full process: Steam bending new planking into shape Creating a long scarf joint for a seamless repair Using WEST SYSTEM Epoxy to secure and fair the plank Tips for fitting, beveling, clamping, and avoiding common mistakes This small acorn dinghy, originally built at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre in British Columbia, had extensive damage on both garboard planks. On the port side, we installed a Dutchman to fix a crack; on the starboard side, we replaced nearly three-quarters of the plank. Whether you’re interested in traditional wooden boat repair, lapstrake construction, or just love watching hands-on craftsmanship, this video shows practical techniques, lessons learned, and honest challenges faced during the repair. 👉 If you enjoy these projects and want to support the channel, consider joining me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding 👉 Learn more about WEST SYSTEM Epoxy here: https://www.westsystem.com Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more wooden boatbuilding tutorials! #Boatbuilding #WoodenBoatRepair #Lapstrake #DinghyRepair #NomadBoatbuilding #Woodworking #SteamBending #EpoxyRepair #TraditionalBoatbuilding #WestSystemEpoxy My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ You can also support these videos with a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

This is Part 2 of a short series on repairing a small dinghy built at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre in BC Canada. You can see the first part of this repair here: Small Boat, Big Problem - Part 1- Repair a badly damaged lapstrake garboard plank https://youtu.be/xqqeUy3os74 We also did a different type of repair to the other side which you can see here: Repairing cracks in lapstrake planks with West System Epoxy https://youtu.be/jCRSG5LSsZg You can see other examples of our work on our website: Http:/www.nomadboatbuilding.com Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

In this episode, I’m tackling a repair on an Acorn dinghy built at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre. Like many traditional lapstrake boats, this one developed cracks in the planking after sitting in dry storage. Using a mix of traditional repair techniques and West System epoxy, I’ll show you how to deal with cracked or checked planks without having to replace entire strakes. Whether you’re restoring a dinghy, skiff, or any traditionally-built wooden boat, these techniques will help you confidently approach plank crack repairs. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:28 Assess the damage 03:20 Plan the repair 05:19 Plan-A. Make a pattern 11:33 Routing for the shiplap joint 19:45 Plan-B 25:09 outro My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Course registration: http:/www.smallboatschool.com

🔧 Repairing Cracked Lapstrake Planks with Epoxy | Traditional Wooden Boat Repair In this episode of Nomad Boatbuilding, Mark Reuten tackles cracks in a traditionally-built Acorn dinghy using time-tested techniques paired with West System epoxy. This classic wooden boat, once built at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, suffered sun damage during dry storage—leading to several split and cracked lapstrake planks. Mark walks through a careful repair using Dutchmen (splines), epoxy filling, and heat-assisted saturation for tight hairline cracks. With a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern epoxy methods, this is an excellent deep dive into wooden boat repair for anyone restoring or maintaining traditional planked hulls. ▶️ In this video, you’ll learn: When and how to use splines to reinforce cracked planks How to flood-checks with unthickened epoxy Tips for using heat to thin epoxy without weakening it How to stop cracks from spreading When to choose spline vs. fill-and-seal techniques Smart clamping and jigging techniques for awkward repairs Why grain orientation and end-grain saturation matter This video is the first of a two-part series focused on bringing this traditional dinghy back to life. Stay tuned for Part 2! 🎥 Watch more videos on traditional boatbuilding: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnOoJJKdbR4Lk9QaAMWkjBHCzF1Nto2Um&si=g1004uIALSvgEzpV 🛠 Sponsored by: https://www.westsystem.com My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:06 Roll the hull and plan the repair 06:46 Making the router template 08:36 Using the router template 10:00 Double sided tape tip 13:44 Cutting the dutchman slot 14:21 Inspect the progress 18:18 Make and fit the dutchman 20:07 Marking the length with a masking tape trick 23:59 Gluing the Dutchman 35:10 Fairing the dutchman 39:35 Outro #WoodenBoatRepair #Lapstrake #WestSystemEpoxy #TraditionalBoatbuilding #EpoxyRepair #BoatRestoration #NomadBoatbuilding #AcornDinghy #WoodworkingTips #SplineRepair #DutchmanFix #BoatRepairSeries #CedarBoat #HeatGunEpoxy #LapstrakeRepair #CowichanBay #EpoxyHowTo #MaritimeRestoration #WoodenDinghy #DIYBoatRepair

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

0My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channe

In this second part of our keel repair series, I’m fixing a mistake I made on a small wooden boat I built about a year ago. The keel—originally glued on with West System 105/205 epoxy—started to fail under constant submersion, and now it’s time to do it right. In this video, I share the full repair process, lessons learned from the failure, and demonstrate how to use G/flex epoxy, West System 105/205, and mechanical fasteners to reinstall the keel—this time with confidence. Whether you're working with Purpleheart, sepili mahogany, or any oily hardwood, this episode is packed with real-world epoxy bonding tips and hard-earned wisdom. 📌 What you’ll learn: * Why the original epoxy bond failed * The difference between G/flex and 105/205 systems * Why oily woods like Purpleheart need special treatment * How to prepare wood surfaces for optimal epoxy adhesion * Scarf joint improvements, clamping pressure advice, and fastener strategies * Mixing epoxy by weight vs. volume—and why it matters * Pro cleaning/prep techniques (including what rags not to use!) ▶️ If you missed Part 1 where I removed the keel without damaging the hull, watch it here: https://youtu.be/YO1L_EdIe3k 🛠️ This episode is sponsored by West System Epoxies. Huge thanks to their tech team for their help and for making rock-solid adhesives that boatbuilders can count on. West System Epoxy Info – https://www.westsystem.com/ 👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell if you're learning from these builds. Your support keeps this channel afloat. 🔗 Relevant Links: Part 1 of This Repair – https://youtu.be/YO1L_EdIe3k Scarf Joint Tutorial – https://youtu.be/Cp8oihaWwnY My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

When the Keel Fails: A Hard Lesson in Epoxy, Purpleheart, and Boatbuilding Mistakes Getting a call from a customer saying the keel is falling off the boat you built for them? That’s every boatbuilder’s nightmare. In this episode of Nomad Boatbuilding, Mark Reuten dives deep into a rare and frustrating failure on a wooden boat he built just last year. After months in the water, the keel began to separate—and things only got worse from there. Join Mark in the workshop as he investigates this epoxy bond failure, shares honest reflections on what went wrong, and begins the careful process of taking the keel off without damaging the boat. Along the way, he shares practical boat repair strategies, discusses the challenges of working with Purpleheart, and talks adhesives—from West System 105/205 to G/flex and polyurethane options. Whether you're a wooden boatbuilding professional, epoxy enthusiast, or DIY repairer, this video offers a valuable learning experience about adhesive selection, wood movement, and the importance of mechanical fasteners in keel construction. 📌 Chapters: 0:00 – The dreaded phone call 1:58 – Initial inspection of the keel 4:10 – Why the joint failed 6:23 – Removing the keel carefully 8:05 - Removing glued in plugs and screws 12:52 - Using the brace and bit for removing screws 14:08 – Using heat and hand tools 21:00 – Reflections on epoxy and wood compatibility 26:16 – What I’ll do differently next time 👉 Like this video? Support the channel by hitting 👍, subscribing, turning on notifications 🔔, or joining me on Patreon. 🔗 https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding  💵 Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding 🛠 Related Topics Covered: Keelson removal techniques Working with Purpleheart in boatbuilding Epoxy vs polyurethane bonding Scarf joint failure causes Fiberglass and keel joint considerations Lessons learned from 30+ years of boatbuilding #WoodenBoatbuilding #BoatRepair #EpoxyFailure #WestSystem #KeelRepair #NomadBoatbuilding #DIYBoatFix #GflexEpoxy #WoodworkingMistakes #PurpleheartWood My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Purchase Steve's lap clamps here: https://lapclamps.etsy.com/ My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding #westsystemepoxy #totalboatepoxy

Fitting lapstrake (clinker) planks can be one of the trickiest parts of traditional boatbuilding—but when done right, it results in a beautiful, strong hull. In this episode of Building Gannet, I walk you through essential tips and techniques to get your lapstrake planks to lay down in their natural position using glued epoxy construction. From clamping strategies using buttons, cam clamps, and clinker pins, to diagnosing fit issues like flaring and gaps, you'll learn how to adjust your gains, bevels, and patterns for a tight, fair fit. I also share how to handle back beveling at the bow, deal with flare, and use thickened epoxy for a forgiving but strong bond. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced wooden boatbuilder, this series provides in-depth guidance with practical shop tips for fitting and hanging planks with confidence. 👉 Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:41 Using Clamps & Buttons 02:00 Diagnosing Gaps & Misalignment 06:19 Adjusting Gains & Bevels 11:29 Back Beveling for Bow Flare 14:54 Final Fit at the bow 17:52 Transom Gain 22:10 Getting the fit just right 24:51 Creating a hard registration point 25:52 Wrapping Up 📌 Want to see how we cut gains or pattern planks? Check out previous episodes in the Building Gannet series! 🧰 Support this channel: 👍 Like, 💬 Comment, 🔔 Subscribe 💙 Become a Patron 💸 Use Super Thanks to support future builds Thanks for watching and stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll glue and fasten this plank into place! #Boatbuilding #Lapstrake #ClinkerPlanking #Woodworking #DIYBoat #EpoxyBoatbuilding #NomadBoatbuilding #GluedLapstrake #BackBeveling #WoodenBoat My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Welcome back to Nomad Boatbuilding! In this episode of Building Gannet, we dive into the art of spiling—a crucial (and often misunderstood) technique in wooden boat building. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this step-by-step walkthrough will show you how to pattern for planks when building a glued lapstrake plywood sailing dinghy. You’ll learn: What spiling really means in traditional boatbuilding Why typical spiling methods don’t work well for lapstrake planking How to accurately record plank shapes and attitudes Pro tips for fair lines, fitting techniques, and avoiding distortion Tools and tricks (like hot glue and battens) that make life easier This hands-on demonstration uses Gannet, our current dinghy project, to teach practical techniques for patterning, fitting, and cutting planks—without relying on elusive plank patterns in boat plans. 💬 Got questions about spiling or wooden boatbuilding in general? Drop them in the comments! 👍 Like the video if it helped you, and consider supporting the channel via Super Thanks or Patreon (link below). 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a build! My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding 00:00 Intro 01:07 What is spiling? 01:58 Marking plank widths 06:15 Connect the dots 10:20 Moving the pattern 12:33 Staggering scarfs 15:05 Fairing in the lines 19:28 Cutting out the planks 20:28 Smoothing the plank edges 22:31 Outro

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ Get WEST SYSTEM products here: https://www.westsystem.com/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding