 |  
Rating:  -
I have worked as a carpenter professionally for thirty years and I have finally reached a point in my life where I would like to build something for myself. Why not a boat?
Upon the recommendation of a naval designer, I purchased a copy of this book and a couple of others. Having had no experience with boat building, sailing, or the like, I was in hopes of finding some answers to questions like, "How do I get started?"; "What order do you work in?" and "where do I go for materials and fittings?"
The first thing I discovered is that the terminology and language of boat building is far from anything I have known and the book helped a great deal with defining and aiding the understanding of the language. Next, the book opened up not only a whole new world of carpentry, but a history of the evolution of boat building through the various designs, styles, and methods of construction, and they are numerous.
This is both an entertaining book, if you like boats, as well as an educational book if you are searching to answer the questions that plague a non nautical person faced with the task of building a boat. In the case of the latter, sometimes the first reading is not enough, but the answers are there.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who wished to pursue the craft, with the warning that the Patinence required when reading to educate yourself, is proportional to that required to carry on the physical craft of construction. Take your time, work the math, and enjoy!
This will definitely remain a resource for me througghout the project.
Rating:  -
This is a beautifully illustrated book, easy to read, and simple to understand. It is really all you need to build your own wooden book. It is inspirational and important at the same time. This would make a wonderful textbook for those whom wish to study the craft in a more rigorous academic environment. While it is a great book, I found some other books better as far as being more complete and up to date. I rated this book a four star rating for this, and only this, reason. I recommend it, and suggest that it would make a great addition to any library of book construction techniques.
Rating:  -
This book is (or should be) truly mandatory for anyone constructing a boat or rebuilding a boat (sail or power) made of wood. It is an invaluable reference, and has a wealth of information and tips for the most experienced boatbuilder. Most importantly however, is that it paints a remarkably accuate portrait of what is involved in working with the media of wood and water. It will either encourage the motivated amateur, or discourage him or her with its no-nonsense explanation of the nature of such an undertaking.
In short, it makes life easier for *anyone* who works with wooden boats, sail or power.
Rating: -
I'm actually building a boat and will tell you that this book is a good overview on the topic, but when it comes to finding specifics for a particular project it will usually fall short. I have had much better luck with a specific research topic referring to the likes of Fred Bingham, Howard Chappelle, Bud Mcintosh, and Larry Pardey. Having said that, your library is not complete without this classic. It is another valued tool in the toolbox
Rating: -
The Boatbuilding Manual is essentially a text book, in all sense of the word, of boatbuilding. It's a great introduction to boatbuilding for beginners and amateurs. If you're looking for a quick, purely instructional guide to building a seacraft, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you are looking for an in-depth, well-researched and well-presented book building a boat, then you have the right book.
| | 
Boat Design.Net
Design Award
Top Rated Sites
Most Popular Sites
What's New
 Boat
Plans
Books
Designers
Boatbuilders
Materials
Powerboats
Catamarans
Propulsion
Sailboats
Multihulls
Software
Resources
Random
Site
My Links
Gallery
Forums
Search
|
