Rating: 
Summary: Classic
Review: A true classic that will last as long as other good literature of it's ilk. Well presented, very clear and above all has a humourous dialog that begs to keep reading. I finished it in an afternoon and reread it the next day. I am already chasing the materials for my kayak. Thanks George
Rating: 
Summary: For a Better Boat Than You Can Buy . . .
Review: Do you want to pay too much for one of those slick and pretty plastic boats or do you want to build your own organic alternative? It's lighter, faster, cheaper, and has more character. Putz caters to the home builder as he recommends readily available materials and simple building techniques, guiding the reader through all the steps in this marvelous book. I'm off to start my own--meet me at the boatshed!
Rating:
Summary: George is Great!
Review: Finally found a quick, down and dirty kayak design and build primer!
(makes one anxious to build ,or, should I say, "roll" their very own boat design)
Mystery of the boat's "innards" from keelson to gunwales- George readily explaines in a "'round the campfire", down-right friendly, fashion.
Putzs' hand's-on attitude and the "you too can do this", plus, the two acommpanying tried and true blueprint's / offsets, make's for easy to build, easy to modify - plans and materials selections.Do I recommend it? Heartily !
Rating:
Summary: George is Great!
Review: Finally found a quick, down and dirty kayak design and build primer!
(makes one anxious to build ,or, should I say, "roll" their very own boat design)
Mystery of the boat's "innards" from keelson to gunwales- George readily explaines in a "'round the campfire", down-right friendly, fashion.
Putzs' hand's-on attitude and the "you too can do this", plus, the two acommpanying tried and true blueprint's / offsets, make's for easy to build, easy to modify - plans and materials selections. Do I recommend it? Heartily !
Rating:
Summary: Read this book!
Review: I built two boats from this book back in the early 90's in Washington State. It was the only one of its kind I could find ( no internet access at the time available to me). Both boats are still in better than excellent shape. I've had nothing but wonderful experiences in them. I also get more compliments on them even now, as well as surprised looks when people find out what they're made of. The instructions were clear, humorous, and, well, easy to follow. I do, however, wish I had seen the plethora of books available online today on the subject. It seems like there's a lot more information on the subject. But, I was pleased to see all the positive reviews for Mr. Putz's book. I was also surprised to see that one person built his kayak from this book, and it wound up being a behemoth that was difficult to transport. I'd be interested in what happened, because my boats weigh in at a mere 30 to 35 lbs. each! I can easily lift them over my head with one hand (unloaded, of course). I believe the reason I built my boats from George's book was partially for that reason: to build a light, strong craft from readily available, and inexpensive materials. At the time I built mine, It ran about $300.00 for BOTH boats. I couldn't touch ONE boat for that price then or now. Give George Putz's book a read, at least, if you're going the wood and canvas route. You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait to build it.
Review: I first picked this up in a library while stationed in Seoul, South Korea. I saw it the bookstore a couple of years later and had to get it. I have also read "The strip built kayak", by Nick Shade. I plan on building both. I'm starting with the frame and skin design from "Wood and Canvas Kayak Building" as soon as I can get my hands on some good, used tools and locate a fair canvas dealer probably from a marine sail maker here on the east coast. George Putz has done an excellent job with this book. It is clear, usually easy to follow, humorous, and has lots of good photos. My conservative cost estimate on building this boat; $200-$400 for tools, if you are like me and do not have any. Plus approximately $250 for materials of which the single most expensive item is the canvas itself, accounting for about $150. Happy building, don't drink and boat, and always use your PFD.
Rating:
Summary: Very good for the beginner
Review: If you are a beginner looking for a, relatively speaking, quick and easy way to build your first kayak, this book is for you. While these kayaks probably are not ones that will push the envelope, they will serve the recreational kayaker well. Also included with the book is the article of the kayak that inspired George's design and if you compare the design to others kayaks that are on the market you will see that their designs were inspired by it too (Klepper and the old Folbots, though heavily modified, resemble both George's Walrus as well as the original Walrus design). While I probably will not build this kayak as my first, I do plan on using many of the weight savings ideas that are evident in George's design. There is an excellent chapter that discusses the various issues with repairing problems after the kayak has seen some use. Other books tend to leave this info. out. One area I was disappointed in is that I believe the author should have shown an alternative building method that utilized the actual plywood floor frames instead of using the stands, then going back and replacing the stands with plywood frames. The other point that I disagreed with was the author's attitude toward plastic kayaks, there is enough room on the water for kayaks of all kinds. The author's writing style was different, very much down to earth although opinionated in some respects, but does not detract from the book at all, IMHO.
Rating:
Summary: Very good for the beginner
Review: If you are a beginner looking for a, relatively speaking, quick and easy way to build your first kayak, this book is for you. While these kayaks probably are not ones that will push the envelope, they will serve the recreational kayaker well. Also included with the book is the article of the kayak that inspired George's design and if you compare the design to others kayaks that are on the market you will see that their designs were inspired by it too (Klepper and the old Folbots, though heavily modified, resemble both George's Walrus as well as the original Walrus design). While I probably will not build this kayak as my first, I do plan on using many of the weight savings ideas that are evident in George's design. There is an excellent chapter that discusses the various issues with repairing problems after the kayak has seen some use. Other books tend to leave this info. out. One area I was disappointed in is that I believe the author should have shown an alternative building method that utilized the actual plywood floor frames instead of using the stands, then going back and replacing the stands with plywood frames. The other point that I disagreed with was the author's attitude toward plastic kayaks, there is enough room on the water for kayaks of all kinds. The author's writing style was different, very much down to earth although opinionated in some respects, but does not detract from the book at all, IMHO.
Rating:
Summary: Be inspired, do it!
Review: This Book will inspire anyone interested in canoeing to get out and do it, read and re read to get to the finer points, set up the workshop and order the material. I have noticed this book available and recomended by a local boat builder, so even the professionals know its value
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is a very detailed book for those of us that intend to build kayaks without a lot of fancy tools. I'm now nearly finished building a kayak based on the instructions in this book, and I haven't yet found any instruction that was amiss or that caused problems in the construction. The book (1991) describes how to build either a 17ft. or 18ft. wood-frame canvas kayak. It contains nicely drawn plans of a classic design from 1923. There's a lot of work involved, but none of the steps are overly complicated or require significant woodworking expertise. Other than basic hand tools, the only tools I've had to buy were a jig-saw, a hand-held power saw, and a drawknife. Material costs today would range about $400 - far short of the $1,300 for a plastic sea kayak of the same length. This book is very well written, and has a touch of humor. I especially appreciate the attention to traditional boat-building techniques. Photos help you in the process. In all a very readable book...Thanks George!
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