IYRS Launch Day: Students Reveal Boats They Built and Restored

On June 4, students at the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) in Newport, R.I., will mark the culmination of their year-long training with a distinctive graduation tradition: Launch Day. Rather than receiving diplomas alone, graduating students will put into the water the boats they designed, built, or restored, offering a public demonstration of the craftsmanship and technical skills developed in IYRS’s hands-on programs.

The public is invited to attend Launch Day at the IYRS docks to view finished projects from the school’s three core programs: Boatbuilding & Restoration, Marine Systems, and Composites Technology. Visitors will have the opportunity to see a wide range of wooden and composite work up close, observe launches, and appreciate the attention to detail that goes into maintaining and creating fine small craft.

This year’s graduates include the first class to complete IYRS’s new Composites Technology program. Their capstone project involved both tooling and construction of Moths — compact, single-handed hydrofoils roughly 11 feet long that represent a high level of precision in composites fabrication. Moths are notable for their speed and technical demands, and building these boats required students to learn advanced composite layup, mold making, and careful assembly.

Boatbuilding & Restoration students focused on historically and culturally significant vessels, restoring a selection of traditional small craft. Their projects included a fleet of Beetle Cats, a Columbia lifeboat, a Herreshoff 12-1/2, and an R‑Class sloop designed by Starling Burgess. Each restoration project involved structural work, exterior and interior finish, rigging, and systems work where applicable, blending traditional woodworking techniques with modern conservation practices.

The Marine Systems program coursework and projects emphasize propulsion, electrical systems, and onboard mechanical systems—skills that are essential for keeping both classic and modern boats safe and operational. Together, the three programs give students a well-rounded foundation in the full lifecycle of small craft: design and construction, materials and systems, and ongoing maintenance and restoration.

Graduation ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. inside Restoration Hall on the IYRS Newport campus (449 Thames Street). After the indoor portion of the ceremony, attendees will move outside to the docks to inspect the students’ work and watch as the boats are launched. Launch Day blends formal commencement with practical demonstration, allowing graduates to present the tangible results of their training to family, friends, industry professionals, and the local community.

For visitors, Launch Day is both a celebration and a chance to learn. Expect to see examples of traditional woodwork and modern composites, discussions with students and instructors about methods and materials, and the visual excitement of small sailboats and restored classics returning to the water. The event highlights the transferable skills students acquire at IYRS—woodworking, composite fabrication, marine electrical and mechanical systems, and project management—skills that prepare graduates for careers in boatyards, restoration shops, manufacturing, and related marine trades.

IYRS’s approach emphasizes immersive, project-based learning: students spend extended time on hands-on assignments that culminate in finished vessels. That practical focus is evident on Launch Day, when completed hulls, rigs, and systems are tested in real conditions. The public celebration of these projects reinforces the school’s role in preserving maritime heritage while advancing modern boatbuilding techniques.

Whether you are a boat enthusiast, a prospective student, or simply curious about maritime craftsmanship, Launch Day provides a vivid showcase of what a year of focused, practical education can achieve. Attendees will leave with a clearer appreciation for the skill and dedication behind restoring historic craft and building high-performance composite boats, and with the satisfaction of supporting emerging marine professionals as they begin their careers.