Course in Wood and Nautical Cabinetmaking
Online course of 300 hours in marine woodwork and cabinetmaking. 6 modules covering wood behaviour at sea, boards and veneers, marine cabinetmaking techniques, teak decks and exteriors, and finishes, varnishes and restoration, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the properties of wood and its behaviour in the marine environment.
Select species, boards and veneers using technical and legal criteria.
Apply cabinetmaking techniques adapted to the motion of the vessel.
Build and maintain teak decks and their alternatives.
Choose durable varnishing and finishing systems.
Plan the restoration of wooden elements.
Develop a complete marine cabinetmaking project.
Who it's for
- Marine cabinetmakers.
- Marine joinery workshop managers.
- Onboard furniture designers.
- Classic boat restorers.
- Teak deck technicians.
- Shipyard interiors managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter yacht building.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (deforestation-free products)
- BS 1088 (marine plywood)
- EN 636 (plywood specifications)
- EN 314-2 (plywood bonding quality)
- IMO FTP Code (fire test procedures)
- Directive 2004/42/EC (VOC emissions from paints and varnishes)
- FSC scheme (forest certification)
- ISO 12215-5 (small craft hull construction: design pressures)
- AutoCAD
- Rhinoceros 3D
- SketchUp
- Alphacam
- Fusion 360
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Wood anatomy and properties1.2Moisture content and hygroscopic equilibrium1.3Swelling and shrinkage1.4Traditional species: teak, mahogany and iroko1.5Natural durability and resistance to fungi1.6Density and weight on board1.7Certified timber and legality1.8Alternatives to Burmese teak1.9Defects and visual grading1.10Case study: species selection for a classic sailing yacht
2.1BS 1088 marine plywood2.2Lightweight and honeycomb panels2.3Wood veneers and cuts2.4Veneer layout and matching2.5Fire-retardant boards for interiors2.6Gluing and bonding classes2.7Vacuum pressing2.8Bending and lamination2.9Quality control of boards2.10Workshop: veneered panel with grain matching
3.1Traditional and mechanical joints3.2Furniture with rounded corners3.3Flexible fixings to bulkheads3.4Marine doors and hinges3.5Drawers with anti-movement catches3.6Folding and extending tables3.7Handrails and mouldings3.8Assembly tolerances on board3.9CNC machining of parts3.10Practical exercise: design of a cabinet with a safety catch
4.1Traditional teak decking4.2Caulking and polyurethane sealants4.3Synthetic teak and alternatives4.4Bonding onto steel and aluminium4.5Exterior varnishes and oils4.6Maintenance and sanding4.7Repair of damaged decks4.8Weight and thickness considerations4.9Compliance with the Deforestation Regulation4.10Case study: teak deck renewal
5.1Surface preparation5.2Polyurethane and polyester varnishes5.3Matt and high-gloss finishes5.4Stains and patinas5.5Spray application and spray booths5.6Safety with solvents and VOCs5.7Restoration of classic boats5.8Repair of dents and stains5.9UV protection of exterior surfaces5.10Lab: comparison of varnish systems
6.1Selection of the piece or space6.2Choice of species and boards6.3Workshop drawings6.4Cutting list and optimisation6.5Manufacturing plan6.6Finishing system6.7Installation on board6.8Cost and lead time6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AutoCAD, Rhinoceros 3D, SketchUp, Alphacam and Fusion 360, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: manufacturing a veneered panel with grain matching, designing marine furniture with flexible fixings and comparative testing of exterior varnishes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, BS 1088, EN 636, EN 314-2, IMO FTP Code, Directive 2004/42/EC, FSC scheme, ISO 12215-5.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with AutoCAD, Rhinoceros 3D, SketchUp, Alphacam and Fusion 360, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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