The Boat Building Academy's core activity is training men and women of all ages to build and restore boats of all types over a ten month course. For some this is a life changing experience and the ethos of the academy is for hands on, practical experience by everyone working with others in a group. We build at least half the number of boats as we have students and these can belong to those building them at the end of the course. This is a City and Guilds Level 3 course.We also offer short courses in boat building and related subjects for a few days to a week and furniture making courses over twelve weeks (at Level 3 and at a more advanced level) to equip people for employment, set up business or work as carpenters, joiners or cabinet makers.

Flew as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy flying Sea Vixen fighters in the 60s, F-4 Phantoms in the 70s and Sea Harriers in the 80s. An A Category Qualified Flying Instructor (with civil Full Flying Instructor's licence), an Air Warfare Instructor and an Instrument Rating Examiner. Senior Pilot: Air Warfare School (764 Squadron) RNAS Lossiemouth; RN Phantom Operational Training Unit, RAF Leuchars; 892 Squadron (Phantoms). HMS Ark Royal. Commanding Officer 800 Sqn (Sea Harrier) and 809 Sqn (Sea Harrier Falklands war). Aviation Officer BRNC Dartmouth and 3 Commando Brigade.