Build the New Instant Boats

Rating:
Summary: Truly Inspirational!
Review: It all started with a search for an inexpensive sailboat. Through these efforts, I stumbled across several websites from people that have built the 23 1/2 ft. "Light Schooner" (one of the projects in this book) and instantly fell in love with the design. With this book, anyone can build a boat in their backyard as I am. If you have even the slightest experience working with wood, and desire to build your own boat you must check out Bolger's designs. Sure, the full size plans help but these boats could feasibly be built using just this book. Try it, you'll be hooked too!

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!!
Review: Payson takes the intimidation factor out of boatbuilding. I'd been toying with the idea of building a boat for years, but didn't have enough confidence in my own woodworking ability. This book (1) explains the necessary fundamentals, (2) goes into great detail with loads of helpful hints on step by step construction, (3) has a really helpful glossary, (4) has several plans to select from, and (5) is written in a folksy, easy to read style. It was well worth the low purchase price and was thoroughly enjoyable reading.

Rating:
Summary: Essential boatbuilding
Review: This is the best book ever written on making small boats for rowing or sailing using modern techniques. If you always figured you would like to build a boat, but were worried about making a success of it, this book, or the others in his series will ensure you get the job done.

Here are three reservations, just so you know:

1) The building method know as tack and tape is original to the Bolger/Payson duo, and isn't state of the art. Payson prefers working with fiberglass resin rather than epoxy, and those with an E allergy might agree. But for others, this may send you off in the wrong direction. Nonetheless the boats are great as designed, even if they could be better. For instance in epoxy it would be possible to drop the frames and add solid transoms to better carry motors or rudders. That's a better trade.

2) The designs are a little funky, which is good open thinking throughout, but for instance a person who bought one of these books because they noticed there was a sailboard would probably not be that satisfied, on the other hand it's a great plan to try out a little boarding on.

3)If you just wanted to build one of these boats, many of which are great like Diablo or Nymph, why not just buy the relevant plan?