5 Stars
Some people love working on cars, golfing, or seeing a good game. This reviewer loves ships and boats. I got this book as a house warming gift for a friend who build a massive house. I have to admit the book is amazing and quite informative.
Bluntly, if you're a good carpenter with a full work bench of tools, know a lot about basic carpentry construction, and don't mind spending money then this is the book for you.
Indeed, the person I gave this book to is an avid sailor on Lake St. Clair and is a house contractor. He is using some of the information in this book in restoring a wooden 1950s era cabin cruiser. This book tells a craftsman how to cut nautical grade joints, tells what types of woods to use, calking, and what types of glues to use. Note, the information is a little old so a person may want to research modern glues for marine use. It may not be easy to find some of the older glues referenced in this book.
I highly enjoyed reading this book. This amazon.com reviewer own a small sloop with a Marconi rig. I would never own a gaff rigged boat. But this wonderful little book will give you complete information on building a nice little sail boat. The section on the large cruisers is very tempting to anybody who has a passion for the sea.
If you are a builder of boats this book will have some good information for you. If you're like me, it has a fair bit of necessary general information on construction techniques and nautical terms.
I give it five stars. Anybody who likes boats, woodworking, and being on the water will learn something good from this nice book.
Highly recommended.