How to Build a Wooden Boat
by David C. McIntosh

List Price: $36.00
Our Price: $21.99
You Save: $14.01 (39%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $19.00 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Book Summary Information

Book Reviews of How to Build a Wooden Boat

Book Review: Strongly (and provisionally) recommended
Summary: 4 Stars

1) It is an enormously technical book. This is not light reading. The first chapter is the best explanation I have ever read of the lofting process. He makes it so very understandable and easy for the novice. However the rest of the book is dry and technical.

2) The dry and technical I speak of is worth the read for an understanding of boat construction. However, it uses McIntosh's "Merrywing" boat as a model. Every aspect of the book relates a detailed description of methods and tools he used on that particular boat, though he does generalize a bit in places. This requires the reader to make some level of abstraction to apply the information--well worth the effort, in my opinion.

3) "Merrywing" is a boat that McIntosh designed and built with great difficulty. It was not a remarkable boat, except that its construction was so difficult, that in describing the same to readers, he feels that he covers any conceivable problem or issue a wooden boatbuilder is likely to encounter.

4) The picture on the cover is *NOT* "Merrywing." This is an editorial mistake, according to McIntosh's son.

5) You will fall in love with "Merrywing" while reading the book. BUT IT IS AN ILLUSION. The plans are not available, and McIntosh's son will not release or sell them to the public. "Merrywing" is a teaching vessel in many ways. And that is all that it is.

BOTTOM LINE: This should not be your first or your only book on wooden boatbuilding. However, once you are sure you will build in wood, or are comfortable doing so, it is an informative read, and a tremendous reference.

Summary of How to Build a Wooden Boat

Ships Books

• Subjects > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Ships
• Sports & Outdoors > Water Sports > Boating
• Sailing