Rating: 
Summary: Alternative to strip or canvas covered kayaks
Review: There are about four books out by the same publisher on the subject of building your own kayaks. This one I read while building the one by G. Putz.In the home garage, you can make strip kayaks or covered frame boats. This particular book describes a way of boat-building that is popular in parts of Europe - stitched marine plywood. I'd never heard of this before; the practice of sewing two halves of a hull together with wire and then applying a resilient epoxy. It appears that this is an excellent way to make a kayak efficiently and with less effort than the other types. Another advantage is space on the interior for storage and leg-room which the frame boats do not afford. Also, these look NICE. Had I not started on a canvas number, I would have made one of these. Very well written, lots of detail. The author clearly has a lot of experience building these things. You could easily follow along like a cookbook's recipe - nicely done.
Rating:
Summary: Alternative to strip or canvas covered kayaks
Review: There are about four books out by the same publisher on the subject of building your own kayaks. This one I read while building the one by G. Putz. In the home garage, you can make strip kayaks or covered frame boats. This particular book describes a way of boat-building that is popular in parts of Europe - stitched marine plywood. I'd never heard of this before; the practice of sewing two halves of a hull together with wire and then applying a resilient epoxy. It appears that this is an excellent way to make a kayak efficiently and with less effort than the other types. Another advantage is space on the interior for storage and leg-room which the frame boats do not afford. Also, these look NICE. Had I not started on a canvas number, I would have made one of these. Very well written, lots of detail. The author clearly has a lot of experience building these things. You could easily follow along like a cookbook's recipe - nicely done.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: This book was easy to follow - I made the kayak, and did not buy any plans. An opaque projector and poster board worked. I really enjoy my boat.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This is an excellant book. Very educational and inspiring. The only problem I can see is that you do need to buy the plans to build the boats and unless you can loft the plans that are printed in the book, plans for these three kayaks are no longer available. "The New Kayak Shop" also by Chris Kulczycki is virtually the same book with not so much "three more" boats you can build but the improved versions of this books boats. In other words it replaces this book. Unless you are a dyed in the wool bookaholic like myself, just buy "The New Kayak Shop". Plans and kits are available for those boats and that combined with the quality of instruction from the book practically guarantees a high quality kayak at a very low price along with builders bragging rights.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding book but obsolete plans!
Review: This is an excellant book. Very educational and inspiring. The only problem I can see is that you do need to buy the plans to build the boats and unless you can loft the plans that are printed in the book, plans for these three kayaks are no longer available. "The New Kayak Shop" also by Chris Kulczycki is virtually the same book with not so much "three more" boats you can build but the improved versions of this books boats. In other words it replaces this book. Unless you are a dyed in the wool bookaholic like myself, just buy "The New Kayak Shop". Plans and kits are available for those boats and that combined with the quality of instruction from the book practically guarantees a high quality kayak at a very low price along with builders bragging rights.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Very good intro to building stitch and glue boats. It would be a little easier to redraw to full size if the prints in the book included all of the needed dimensions. I have CAD, but I had to play around a little with the radii on the bow and stern to get them right. Unless I wanted to spend additional money on the full size plans from the author. Still, I consider this the "bible" for this type of boat construction.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Very good intro to building stitch and glue boats. It would be a little easier to redraw to full size if the prints in the book included all of the needed dimensions. I have CAD, but I had to play around a little with the radii on the bow and stern to get them right. Unless I wanted to spend additional money on the full size plans from the author. Still, I consider this the "bible" for this type of boat construction.
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