IYRS School of Technology & Trades has announced a new Runabout Restoration Course, a 9-month hands-on program developed in partnership with the Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS).
The pilot course gives students the opportunity to complete a full restoration of a classic 17-foot 1940 Chris-Craft Deluxe, from structural rebuild to final water testing. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Restoration Hall on the IYRS campus at 449 Thames St. in Newport.
The curriculum starts with foundational skills including shop safety, tool use, and woodworking terminology before advancing into the full structural restoration of the mahogany runabout. Students will work through the boat’s bottom, keel, frames, topsides, deck planking, interior upholstery, finishes, mechanical systems, wiring, and engine installation.
Bjorn Bakken, an internationally acclaimed boat restorer who will serve as course instructor, said students will also develop skills in project documentation and historical research alongside traditional woodworking techniques.
The program is designed for experienced boatbuilders and classic runabout enthusiasts. Enrollment is limited, and the application deadline is June 7, 2026. The course is non-accredited and not eligible for federal financial aid, though limited scholarship opportunities are available.
Founded in 1993, IYRS is a nonprofit post-secondary institution on the Newport waterfront. More information is available at iyrs.edu.