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Apprenticeship FAQ's

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While we offer opportunities to learn about boatbuilding, our mission goes beyond simply teaching technical skills. We’re primarily a space for growth and learning, where motivated apprentices can gain hands-on experience building small wooden boats and develop a range of other valuable skills. However, boatbuilding serves as a key vehicle for our deeper work—fostering greater understanding and compassion for ourselves and others.

In addition to building boats, apprentices participate in community work like cooking, cleaning, and maintaining our campus, reinforcing the values of collaboration and shared responsibility. The depth of learning and growth depends on the effort and engagement each apprentice brings to the experience.

Apprenticeship is also a job. Apprentices are expected to work hard to build, repair, and paint boats for our customers, to support our campus community through chores and cooking, and our neighbors through service work projects. We like to take joy in our work, and – as in any job – there may be moments of tedium as well as moments of learning and excitement. The work that we do connects us to our wide circle of customers and to the broader community we are a part of. It also provides necessary income to support our apprenticeship program.
While we live and work together as a community, there are some key differences between the Boat Shop and some forms of intentional communities. There are some decisions we make together, often at our weekly community meeting, while others are made at the organizational level by staff and our board of directors. Although not all matters are ultimately decided by apprentices, we do welcome questions and input.
We expect apprentices to make a commitment to engaging fully in the program for their nine months. We have specific commitments and expectations which are named in our Terms of Apprenticeship agreement. Please review our Terms carefully before considering applying to be an apprentice.
While the 9-month apprenticeship is tuition-free, and includes room and board, apprentices should plan for certain personal expenses not covered by the program. Apprentices need to cover the expenses of personal hygiene products, a car for those who bring one, phone, health insurance, entertainment, etc.
Apprentices have the option to take on paid part-time work or odd jobs as the boat shop schedule allows. While our schedule will include occasional evening and weekend activities and trips, apprentices can use their down time as they choose. However, please keep in mind that the boat shop schedule can be rigorous and apprentices may find taking on additional work to be challenging.
We encourage all of our apprentices to learn how to safely use a variety of fresh and saltwater craft for paddling, rowing, and sailing. The apprenticeship curriculum emphasizes the development of seamanship skills through classroom time, day trips, and expedition sailing. The apprenticeship curriculum includes a multi day sailing expedition. Additionally, on fair weather days, apprentices are welcome to go paddling canoes, sailing, or rowing after hours. PFDs (life jackets) are provided for all apprentices and must be worn upon arriving at the waterfront.
Our standard new boat builds are the 9’6″ and 11′ Monhegan Skiff, both plywood-sided and cedar lapstrake models. Our shops also put out new boat builds beyond the Monhegan Skiff; past builds have included catspaw dinghies, peapods, nutshell prams, and semi-dories. Apprentices spend time working on both new construction and restoration projects. In the Restoration Shop we store and care for a variety of small craft and also maintain and repair our own fleet of boats.
Our living quarters are centered in two historic farmhouses. All apprentices have their own modest single rooms with a shared bathroom and shared laundry. The rooms come with basic furnishings as well as all necessary towels and linens.
No, we welcome commuters to our community. Commuters are expected to fully participate in the boat shop schedule, attend as many meals as possible during the work week, and attend community activities and events.
No. We are unable to accommodate apprentices or guests of apprentices with pets.
We do our very best to accommodate all dietary restrictions, within the limitations of our budget. It is important, however, for apprentices and guests to give us advanced notice of dietary needs in order for our campus manager to have necessary food items on hand.
After our apprentices have completed the necessary training on the use and safety of our power machinery, they are encouraged to make use of the workshops after work hours and on the weekends. The boat shop has some project wood available at cost, and we provide contacts for local lumber suppliers.
Apprentices are expected to participate in all aspects of community life at the boat shop. This includes regular shifts preparing and cleaning up after meals, daily household chores, workshop cleaning and tool maintenance, improvement projects for our buildings and grounds, and hauling and stacking firewood. The boatshop also periodically participates in volunteer service opportunities for neighbors in need and other community organizations.

On a typical day, apprentices spend most of the work day in the workshop building Monhegan Skiffs. There are breaks in our daily schedule for tea time, lunchtime, chore time, and a weekly community meeting. The day ends at 4:30 and dinner is at 5:30. Apprentices take part in a rotation to spend time working in the kitchen and in the restoration shop. On any given day, one apprentice will be assigned to work in the kitchen and one or several apprentices may be assigned to work on restoration projects or campus projects.

Yes, apprentices are allowed to invite visitors for short stays at the boatshop campus. Apprentices must provide advance notice to the Apprenticeship Program Director about guests. We ask that visitor stays on campus be limited to weekends. There are several spaces on campus, including the barn chapel and spare rooms in the white farmhouse, available for visitor stays on a first-come first-serve basis. Afterwards, apprentices help prepare for future guests by changing the linens and restocking firewood if necessary.

In general, meal times are limited to apprentices and staff. However, apprentices can request to invite guests to meal times by speaking in advance with the Apprenticeship Program Director.
No! Apprentices are not expected to have previous experience in boatbuilding, woodworking, or sailing. The apprentice curriculum includes an introduction to the power and hand tools that we use in the workshops as well as exposure to seamanship skills.
Yes. The boatshop schedule includes time off on major holidays, one three-day weekend during most months, and a two-week summer vacation. Apprentices can request to take additional time off by speaking with the Apprenticeship Program Director.

The Boat Shop is located in rural Pemaquid, Maine, where a vehicle isn’t strictly necessary but can be incredibly helpful. Having one makes it much easier to explore and enjoy all that the beautiful peninsula has to offer. Parking onsite is available and bicycles are also welcome.

The nearest major airport is located about 1.5 hours away in Portland, Maine (Portland International Jetport). A smaller airport, Knox County Regional Airport is located in Owls Head, Maine offering CapeAir flights and is about an hour away.

Apprentices will receive a packing list prior to the start of the session.

Artist in Residence FAQ's

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Artists are selected annually on a rolling basis. Organizational needs and scheduling play a part in selection as well as the needs of the artist.
The artists working space is an open concept floor plan in the Barn Chapel. It is heated either by wood or heat pumps and similarly cooled by heat pumps. The Barn Chapel is a three level structure and the second and third floor is dedicated to our artists.
The third floor of the Barn Chapel. There is a queen bed, two small refrigerators, a coffee maker and hot water maker. There is a table and chairs and couch.
There is electricity and heat, there is not running water. The bathroom is located in one of our farm houses approximately one minuet walk from Barn Chapel to Farm House.
We provide potable water for drinking.
You will have access to the shops. You will need to be checked out by one of our instructors prior to use.
No.
March through November the community kitchen is provisioned and staff and apprentices eat multiple meals a day together. We have a commercial kitchen in one of our farm houses that artist can use.
It depends on the needs of the artists and the organization. Typical ranging between one week to five weeks.
This depends on the artist and the organization. One can choose to have an art opening, teach a workshop, host a reading. This would be agreed upon prior to beginning ones residency.
Yes. Artists are welcome in our shops, at meals, tea time and if appropriate may be able to participate in sails with staff and apprentices.
The Boat Shop is located in Pemaquid Maine and it is in a rural environment. A vehicle is not necessary and one may find it incredibly helpful for exploring and enjoyin g the peninsula.
Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome. Cats and other animals are not permitted.
Yes.
You will need to bring your materials for creating. We will provide linens, bedding and food.
Damariscotta is the closest town and it is approximately 15 minutes from the Boat Shop. New Harbor is a smaller town with a post office and small grocery store and it is about 5 minutes from campus.

The nearest major airport is located about 1.5 hours away in Portland, Maine (Portland International Jetport). A smaller airport, Knox County Regional Airport is located in Owls Head, Maine offering CapeAir flights and is about an hour away.

Guests are welcome, but we kindly ask that you discuss any plans to invite guests with the Executive Director beforehand.
Artists are welcome to use our freshwater boats which include; a sunfish, canoes and kayaks. The campus abuts to the Pemaquid River and Boyd’s Pond. We are located next to The Crooked River Preserve which provides miles of walking trails. We will provide paddles and lifejackets.

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The Carpenter’s Boat Shop

440 OLD COUNTY RD | PEMAQUID, ME 04558

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