The Expectant Father's Cradle Boat Book

Rating:
Summary: The Expectant Father's Cradle Boat Book
Review: I purchased this book with the idea a boat cradle would be a unique gift from boat crazy Uncle Bill for my soon to be niece or nephew. Although not extensive, I do have some experience building strip built sea kayaks; very similar to the method used for the Bahama dinghy cradle discussed in the book.

Overall, the instructions are fairly clear and easy to follow. There are, however, a few pitfalls to avoid before construction starts. If you plan to enlarge the plans and patterns included in the back of the book with an architectural reprographics firm (as I did), be cautioned. The 600% enlargement specified by the book proved inaccurate. 548% brought them to scale without distortion and this was expensive (over $50). Once the plans were to scale, any stated measurements on the plans were not necessarily accurate so again, beware. Some measurements had to be coaxed from the plans and the exact placement of the transom mold still eludes me. Also a little confusing is that all the patterns are not square on the graph and, in fact, some patterns are not symmetrical. In particular the transom and rocker patterns. Purchasing the available full size plans may be the way to go.

Again the book is fairly well written as an instructional guide, even for someone like me with little boat building or woodcrafting experience. I'd have rated it much higher had the supporting plans and patterns better lent themselves to more rapid and better construction and less head scatching.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book Great Project
Review: I've built the pram twice. Lots of fun! To build this boat you may have to learn a little about epoxy. Although it can be built without epoxy. I highly recommend buying the plans. If you already have the plans, then the book will help greatly in building the boat.

Rating:
Summary: Probably the sweetest heirloom you can make.
Review: This book is a wonderful inspiration, and even the expectant moms can make the boat taking into account modifications to eliminate ANY exposure to the various toxins in epoxy etc. The boats are beautiful especially the historic examples. The instructions are excellent and diagrams clear. But be warned you may have trouble enlarging the plans. I went to all the blue print copying firms in a major metropolitan area and none of them had printing capabilities above 36" and I had no reply to the answer-phone messages left on the number to order plans. Time and time again. Otherwise it's got the be the best thing to focus on before baby arrives and nothing else can tell the baby(or mother) that you love them more!