Gathering a basic kit of good quality tools is essential before students arrive on campus for their first day of class. The following information is provided to help students understand the tools and books needed for their respective program and how to acquire them.
Marine Systems
For guidance on required tools and books for the marine systems program, please review the tool/book list and included guidance letters below from Lead Marine Systems Instructor Kevin Ritz.
Textbooks and Recommended Reading:
2019-2020 Marine Systems Book List
Tools:
April 2021 Tool List Will Be Posted Soon
Boatbuilding
For the boatbuilding programs, students can acquire tools independently or through Edensaw Woods, a proud sponsor of the Boat School, located in Port Townsend, Washington. All tools can be purchased through Edensaw Woods to make ordering easy and streamlined but is at the discretion of the student.
Textbooks and Recommended Reading:
Students enrolled in the Traditional or Contemporary Wooden Boatbuilding program are provided the required textbook, Hand Tools by Aldren A. Watson. All other required or recommended titles are available in the School’s library for checkout. The School’s store also stocks a number of the books, available to students at a 20% discount off the list price.
2019-2020 Boatbuilding Book List
Tools:
Due to the COVID-19 environment, tool availability and pricing may have changed on the lists below.
Fall Quarter Tools:
Winter, Spring, Summer Quarter Tools:
2019-2020 Traditional Wooden Boatbuilding
2019-2020 Contemporary Wooden Boatbuilding
How to Order
For tool guidance, read Chief Instructor Sean Koomen’s advice letter:
Sean’s Tool Letter
The tool lists for each quarter are listed above. Pre-ordering your tools from Edensaw Woods ensures incoming students get a special Boat School discount. The school will offer a virtual “Tool Buying” information session that will offer support to students by having NWSWB instructors available to give advice and assistance. Dates to be determined. There will also be several used tool vendors at the School during the first week of class.
If you do not wish to order through Edensaw Woods, please reference the tool lists above to know what tools are required each quarter.

211 Seton Rd.
Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.edensaw.com