Mahwah High School Student Launches Boat Built in Wood Shop Class

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Mahwah NJ,  Mahwah High School student has turned a woodshop class project into a fully functional boat. Lukas Hart, who grew up in a boating family, launched the 11-foot, 450-pound boat that he designed and built in his advanced woodshop and furniture design class.

Inspired by his family’s love for boats, Lukas set out to create something more ambitious than the usual class projects. “My entire family loves boats,” said Hart. “Everyone has a boat, and I have grown up around them my whole life.”

While most of his classmates were building tables, Lukas aimed for something bigger. He designed the boat with hopes that it would someday carry him and his Airedale terrier-poodle, Izzy.

Overcoming Challenges

Lukas’ project was no small feat. He secured a $400 sponsorship from TotalBoat, a Rhode Island-based boat company, and continued work over the summer to complete the boat.

“One of the most challenging parts was making the wood malleable,” Lukas explained. He used a process called steam bending to shape the ash wood, a technique that required creating a steam chamber to soften the wood. “The process failed four times before I got it right,” he admitted. “It was incredibly challenging.”

Lukas even traveled more than two hours to Connecticut to find special marine-grade plywood needed for the boat.

Successful Launch

After months of dedication, Lukas and his dog Izzy took the boat for a successful test run in a local swimming pool. “The whole purpose of this project was to challenge myself,” he said. “I’ve learned the importance of not stopping after failure.”

Inspired by Thomas Edison’s famous quote, “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that don’t work,” Lukas persevered through setbacks and now has his sights set on taking the boat down the Hudson River.

The Most Ambitious Project

“This is probably the most ambitious project anyone has ever attempted since I’ve been here,” said Lukas’ teacher, Daniel Catizone. He praised Lukas for his dedication, saying, “It would have been easy to give up, but Lukas has been consistent throughout.”

Lukas hopes to continue his passion for design by studying naval architecture or regular architecture, with a dream of attending Notre Dame, following in the footsteps of his mother and grandfather.

Outside of building boats, Lukas stays busy as the goalkeeper for both his high school varsity soccer team and a club team. He also plays trombone and baritone in the high school symphonic band and marching band.

“If you are able to follow your passion to the highest degree in life, then you will be successful,” Lukas said.

For more information about the Mahwah High School Career Pathways Elective Program, click Mahwah High School Career Pathways Elective Program is here..

 

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