Face of the Island: Boatbuilding master Ursula Latus

Magazine

Boatbuilding master Ursula Latus in the workshop — Ursula Latus ©

09.06.2020, Usedom Tourismus GmbH

Ursula Latus is a passionate boatbuilding master who has been offering courses on Usedom since 2006, where participants can build their own wooden boats under expert guidance.

Build Your Own Wooden Boats

Ms. Latus, how did you come up with the idea of offering boatbuilding courses on Usedom?

I used to sail on tall ships and work on them. During that time, I realized that a lot of people are interested in learning these traditional crafts. That was the original idea that led me to start the boatbuilding school. I wanted to combine boatbuilding with rigging construction. Unfortunately, though, I couldn’t split myself in two, so only the boatbuilding courses remained.

How did you become a boatbuilder?

I completed a boatbuilding apprenticeship in Berlin from 1995 to 1998. Before that, I was a chemical engineer, and I got into boatbuilding through sailing. After completing my training, I came here to Usedom to work for a company where I built rigging. Later, I earned my master craftsman’s certificate and started my own business.

The kinds of boats you can build

Let’s talk about the boatbuilding courses themselves. What kinds of boats can participants build with you?

In the standard program, I offer canoes, kayaks, rowboats, stand-up paddleboards, and small dinghies. They’re always wooden boats. Basically, you can build anything with me that can be finished in a few days.

People in a workshop building a wooden boat — Ursula Latus ©

How long does it take to build a boat?

Between one and two weeks, depending on which boat you’re building. I always offer two-week sessions, and within those two weeks, you can build whatever you’d like.

What does a typical course or course day look like at your workshop?

We basically have a six-day workweek. We build from Monday through Saturday, and the Sunday between the two weeks is a day off. We start at 8:00 a.m. and take two breaks a day. Around 5:00 p.m., we put the tools away and call it a day. So, basically, things here run just like they do at a normal shipyard. On the first day, there’s always a lot of hustle and bustle, but after a few days, everyone gets into the swing of things.

How many participants are in a course?

A maximum of five boats can be built at the same time. Typically, one to three people work on each boat.

What prior experience or materials do I need to bring?

You don’t need to bring anything. When you come to me, I’ll provide you with your kit and the instructions for your boat. I’ll explain everything step by step. We also have five sets of each tool, so every team has its own set and there’s no waiting around. Participants don’t need to be trained craftsmen. Sometimes it’s actually more complicated with them. Even complete beginners who’ve never held a jigsaw before have built some really great boats with me.

Has every workshop participant gone home with their own boat, or have there been people who gave up early?

No, no one has ever given up. Every now and then, someone works slowly and takes longer, or comes back later to finish, but that’s okay too. Usually, the time is scheduled so that everyone can finish comfortably. There’s a plan for each type of boat that outlines what should be done on each day. But even if you fall behind schedule, it’s not a disaster, because I’ve actually built in a buffer day for every boat.

How do participants get their boats home?

Simply using a roof rack. Most boats weigh no more than 25 kilograms and are easy to handle.

The boatbuilding classes are open to everyone

What kind of people book a boatbuilding workshop with you?

It’s a colorful mix of craftsmen, doctors, IT professionals, families with children, and so on. I’ve even had a master boatbuilder who built his first wooden boat here with his son, because he’d only ever worked with plastic before. A mother, son, and grandfather have also tackled a three-generation project here. And I had a couple who built a boat for their wedding. The course was a wedding gift from the husband to his fiancée. School classes come by from time to time, too.

What’s the average lifespan of the wooden boats?

Our boats aren’t made entirely of wood. About 95 percent of the boat is covered with fiberglass. The coating is very well done, so you can’t see it. The boat looks like it’s been clear-coated. But it simply has significantly greater strength and durability. The wood itself doesn’t actually come into contact with water.
We work with plywood and strips that are laminated on both sides. This means the wood doesn’t warp much, and you don’t have to refinish it as often as you would with other wooden boats. So, sand it down and repaint it once a year. But thats not necessary with our boats. They do need to be revised every now and then, but depending on usage, that’s every three to five years.

And then the first trip on the boat you built yourself...

What do you recommend to your participants as their first trip in their newly built boat?

If you’re setting out from Peenemünde, the most scenic route is actually to head toward Freest or in the direction of Struck. If people have a little more time, I always recommend paddling down the Peene River—that’s also very beautiful. Personally, I also go on short excursions here in the area after work.

A woman in a wooden boat on the water — Ursula Latus ©

What do you like about Usedom?

I like that we’re in such an idyllic location here in Peenemünde and that this part of the island is still very unspoiled. As a Bavarian, I'm obviously a big fan of being by the sea and on the beach. I work where other people go on vacation. Even though I rarely get the chance to take a real vacation here myself. But at least I can pop down to the beach for a quick visit in the evenings. We always call it an “instant vacation.”

What’s your favorite spot on Usedom?

I absolutely love being at the Krummin Harbor. It’s a really great café and restaurant right on the water where you can enjoy delicious food and sit in the evening sun.

Thank you so much for the interview!

Mr. Koprek conducted the interview on behalf of SEM SEO GmbH for usedom.de.

Share this discovery

By clicking the icons, you leave this website.