Composites Program


The Composites Program teaches students to understand and use modern composite materials and processes through a balanced educational experience incorporating theory, hands-on labs and actual construction of a complete and operational boat.

See photos of Composites Program students constructing an F-82R trimaran.

With composite boat construction rising in popularity in the marine industry, educated composites technicians from The Landing School are in demand. Students in the Composites Program learn about complex materials and their properties, and then they are given instruction in the applications of those materials. From hand-layup to vacuum-infusion, students work directly with a variety of fabrication materials. Students study composite construction techniques in depth, including open- and closed-molding and infusion. Composite boat design is also incorporated into the curriculum, so students have a foundation in the entire boatbuilding process, from concept through final construction. The maximum class size for the Composites Program is 10 students. A student who successfully meets the criteria for graduation from the program is awarded a Diploma in Composites from The Landing School.

Educational Objective

The Composites Program is a study in modern building materials and their applications in boat construction. Graduates of the program have skill-sets targeted for professional roles in the production of composite boats, parts and tooling.

Course Description

The Composites Program provides a broad education in the rapidly changing field of composite materials. Students in the Composites Program study the strength and structural mechanics of many different materials, so they are knowledgeable about the range of fabrication choices available to today’s boatbuilders.

Next the students begin applying that knowledge to lab testing and construction. Instructors present the array of manufacturing processes used with various composite materials, including molding, infusion and tooling. Equipment such as ovens, autoclaves and vacuums are used in
the processes. Students learn how to judge the best technique to be used with the most suitable materials for any boat construction, from small boats to commercial vessels.

Over the entire school year, students work daily on the construction of one or more composite hulls and related boat parts. Through this process, students examine the effects of the various production methods on the composite materials, assess their structural strengths first-hand and witness how the choices of materials interface with design and production of a boat. Approximately one-third of the Composites Program is lecture-based, and the balance of the time is spent in practical fabrication labs and construction.

This is a sample syllabus for the 10-month-long Composites Program: