Rating: 
Summary: Excellent overview of wooden boat building.
Review: A classic in every sense of the word. Howard I. Chapelle covers nearly every aspect of the design and construction of small, traditional, wooden craft. There is much insight to be gained, and the illustrations and plans included are priceless bits of our marine heritage. Worth a read, even if you don't plan on building a boat yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Boat Construction
Review: A classic work from a legendary author. Provides background and instruction in boat building [in 1941]. If you want to learn about traditional boat building methods, this is a wonderful addition to your library; if you want to throw together something in plywood and epoxy in a week, find another book (although this still might be a handy addition to your library). The author does assume that if you are building a boat, you know what one is and doesn't define or explain nautical terms, like bow, stern, gunwales, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Boat Construction
Review: A classic work from a legendary author. Provides background and instruction in boat building [in 1941]. If you want to learn about traditional boat building methods, this is a wonderful addition to your library; if you want to throw together something in plywood and epoxy in a week, find another book (although this still might be a handy addition to your library). The author does assume that if you are building a boat, you know what one is and doesn't define or explain nautical terms, like bow, stern, gunwales, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: stinky boat book
Review: After reading the book I had no real clue how to build a boat which was why I bought the book in the first place. I think it would make sense to maby not call a book complete hand book of wooden boats when it is not complete. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!
Rating: 
Summary: A true classic - just not a beginner's how-to book
Review: As the editorial review from Book News clearly states, this is a reprint of a book from 1941. As such it is not written or illustrated like a modern how-to book. It is, however, packed with information about traditional methods of boat construction. There are certainly more appropriate choices for a first book on boatbuilding, or for someone who wants step-by-step guidance to building a particular design, but this book is is a classic that belongs in the library of anyone with a strong interest in the craft.
Rating:
Summary: What About the Designs?
Review: I agree with the other (positive) reviewers--not an easy read, but well worth the investment in time. My favorite part of the book, though, has not been mentioned. Mr. Chapelle includes a number of sample designs--wonderful classics from a rowing peapod to a large commercial fishing boat. If you have some solid boat building experience, the plans are complete enough to build from, with a little eyestrain. For historical purposes, these designs complement those in American Small Sailing Craft, another worthwhile book by H.I. Chapelle. There is also an interesting, though too brief, section on choosing a design.
Rating:
Summary: What About the Designs?
Review: I agree with the other (positive) reviewers--not an easy read, but well worth the investment in time. My favorite part of the book, though, has not been mentioned. Mr. Chapelle includes a number of sample designs--wonderful classics from a rowing peapod to a large commercial fishing boat. If you have some solid boat building experience, the plans are complete enough to build from, with a little eyestrain. For historical purposes, these designs complement those in American Small Sailing Craft, another worthwhile book by H.I. Chapelle. There is also an interesting, though too brief, section on choosing a design.
Rating:
Summary: A true classic - just not a beginner's how-to book
Review: I think this book has a place in a complete boatbuilding library but, as a beginner, it uses terms that are unknown to most newbies. I think this book will be more helpful when you are further along in boatbuilding and perhaps have built a simple boat or two. It does have some classical appeal to it being written by a legend in the boating commmunity and therefore I feel it is a good purchase, just don't buy it as a newbie thinking your going to learn how to construct a boat cold turkey with this book as a guide.
Rating:
Summary: Boatbuilding By Chapelle---Confusion for a Newbie
Review: I think this book has a place in a complete boatbuilding library but, as a beginner, it uses terms that are unknown to most newbies. I think this book will be more helpful when you are further along in boatbuilding and perhaps have built a simple boat or two. It does have some classical appeal to it being written by a legend in the boating commmunity and therefore I feel it is a good purchase, just don't buy it as a newbie thinking your going to learn how to construct a boat cold turkey with this book as a guide.
Rating:
Summary: The reference on wooden boatbuilding
Review: Pure and simple. I'm a professional, doing repairs on wooden workboats and I do refer to it whenever I'm stumped. Not the easiest read, not completely user-friendly.....well, I'll let you in on a little secret; neither is boatbuilding. Some have whinged about the terms, some have groused about the old-style construction methods. Well, there are certain terms that are used for certain things and you are not knowledgeable unless you can use and understand them. Learning them is part of learning the trade. Study! Tremendous detail, wide variety of different methods covered. Chapelle was a NA/ME and a skilled designer in his own right and it too shows. Highly recommended.
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