The Strip-Built Sea Kayak: Three Rugged, Beautiful Boats You Can Build

With all the rave reviews already stated, I add my own.Mr. Schade will break your heart in the very introduction of the book; at this moment you will come to understand the true dedication of this author to his craft (and love for his wife). Then there is a descent into the inner secrets of this craft that he loves. As an accomplished gymnast, he will certainly make this kayak-building appear easy, almost too easy, and yet the details are in place to convince you that, yes, you can do it yourself.You have to pinch yourself to bring yourself back to the reality that you will spend many hours building this kayak, that it will cost you quite a bit, and that the process is not as easy as it looks. Then stop pinching yourself and start planning; the reality is that you can do it!There are a few gaps in the details that I had to think my way through, but none of these gaps are intentional. In fact, these opportunities are more exciting than aggravating.This is not the only good resource available for learning the strip-building technique. I am already modifying Mr. Schade's designs to include elements provided elsewhere, as he would even encourage himself. On the other hand, this book is all you need to make a great kayak, and the information in this book is superior to anything that I have seen elsewhere.I would recommend this book even to those who never plan on building a kayak if for no other reason than to appreciate this fine art of shipbuilding.

Bought Nick's plans as well as the book and made a great kayak. I have significant woodworking skills, experience and equipment. Your success will depend on your experience and skills. Most of the instructions are fairly clear. However I had never done the epoxy and fiberglass work before and found that having access to his on line discussion group was extremely valuable. (as well as his You tube videos). Some processes he demonstrates in the videos have evolved from how he does it in the book. he does not address the use of bungee cords on the kayak surface very well and doesn't deal with fiberglass tunnels. There are a few areas which are confusing, but the on line resources and community help. It is surprising but there are apparently quite a number of people out there who make wooden boats either for a living or who make many of these and have been doing it a long time, so they can teach you a lot. I found this especially true in the section on making a paddle. Not sure if you get this access just from buying the book or you have to buy the plans as well.

Awesome read. I feel confident to start, and Ireally understand the process now. I recommend supplementing with Nick's YouTube channel. When I start building I'm going to order complete plans from the website, even though you can technically use the ones in the book. I figure for the time and investment I'll have into this, and since it's my first one, that is a necessary expense to have some reassurance.I'm a beginning woodworker with a modest tool collection. The book only recommends a few critical tools, of which I'll be purchasing higher quality options. I feel like the build will be slow and detailed, but the book makes it seem very doable and rewarding. Check out some wooden kayak pictures online to get the juices flowing!

There's a lot of information packed into a relatively short book. But the best part about it is you'll come away with the skills to build any strip-built boat, not just a kayak. The section on lofting is the best part of the book as it is one of the few (and in owning perhaps a dozen books on boatbuilding, the only book) that goes into any great detail on how to translate the offset tables into meaningful plans. The only gap is how to translate the graphs created when input into Excel's x-y scatter plot into real sheets of paper that can be used as templates for the forms. I guess when I make my run to Staples, I'll figure it out. The rest of the book draws upon the author's vast experience building boats. Many other strip-built boats provide similar information but not with this clarity.The point is once you learn how to turn offset tables into plans, you are really and truly on the way to building the boat of your dreams. It took me about a half hour of careful typing and following along in the text to finally "get it". If I can understand it, anyone can. Really. If you read between the lines, though, that means the three plans in the book are not the ones I'd want to build. The tandem is too large and the Guillemot too complicated. That leaves the Auk which won't do me well for the lakes and fishing I want to do. As another poster said, use this book to give you the foundation to build a different kayak, supplemented with Youtube videos (there are a LOT).Four stars instead of five for the 'second tier' kayak plans included in the book and the lack of clear directions on how to print. Other than that, I feel like I'm ready to start planing!

The author provides a detailed ‘offset table’ allowing you to draw your own forms. If followed exactly the forms will be the same as if one either purchased them premade or bought full scale drawings both at considerably more expense.The author freely shares his impressive knowledge of the subject matter and presents it articulately. In addition he has recorded a set of videos on building Kayaks. They are not intended to augment the book; however they certainly provided additional perspectives that were useful to me.I especially took note of the author’s impactful Dedication in the front of his book and personally I feel it speaks to the quality and character of the author, Mr. Nick Schade.

Ce livre est une véritable bible, pas seulement pour pour la construction des kayaks de bois, mais aussi pour la partie théorique au début du livre

Schritt für Schritt zum eingehen Kajak. Sehr gut erklärt und unterhaltsam obendrein.

Excellent resource for anyone thinking of building a kayak

I was very seriously considering building a wooden sea kayak.I reckon this book told me everything I'd need to know to go ahead and do it .............It also gave me a real appreciation of just how much work I'd need to commit.Which is why I now own a GRP Sea Kayak.My GRP Sea Kayak is heavier and less beautiful. BUT its available now and I won't have the same dread of scraping or damaging it.What I'm saying boils down to this - If you want a gorgeous boat and love major handcrafting projects this book will be inspiration and informative..... But.... If you just want to get Kayaking there are *much* simpler and quicker ways.

Testo in inglese accessibile anche per i meno esperti, supportato da didascalie, schemi ed immagini davvero eloquenti. Anche se destinato spiccatamente a chi ha già una certa dimestichezza con le tecniche, sicuramente anche il neofita potrà godere delle illuminanti soluzioni proposte e dallo stile in generale elevato.