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Most of what I know, I learned from books. I have amassed an extensive collection of books on boat building in my quest for knowledge but many are either over simplified, leave large gaps or just rehash other better books. The following are the books that I found most usefull. The images are linked to the related page at Amazon.com so you can order them right from here. If you use these links, I get a little commission. So if you would help me pay for another gallon of epoxy I sure would appreciate it.
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There are two invaluable booklest that are not on amazon. Tom McNaughton has developed a set of scantling rules for strip composite that is excellent and not expensive http://hamlet.hypernet.com/MGROUP/scantlingsbook.htm
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The other is Peggy Hall's masterfull little booklet explaining the mysteries of the marine head and holding tank system. "Marine Sanitation:Fact vs. Folklore," which you can download and print from http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/phall.htm
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 The Nature of Boats: Insights and Esoterica for the Nautically Obsessed by Dave Gerr
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This is where you need to start. Dave Gerr explains in simple terms why boats do what they do and the information this book contains will help you talk to your designer or prevent you making a real stupid mistake if you are designing yourself. An essential for any boaters book shelf. Should be right next to Chapman and the Annapolis Book of Seamanship.
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 The Elements of Boat Strength : For Builders, Designers, and Owners
by Dave Gerr
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Dave Gerr's latest book. Once again explains in simple terms how your boat will get stressed and why you need that extra layer of glass forward of the keel.
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">
 Principles of Yacht Design by by Lars Larsson, Rolf E. Eliasson
This book is pretty well recognized as the successor to Skene's which is no longer in print. It looks a bit intimmidating at first because of all the formulas but actually it is rather straight forward and easy to follow. Iit is THE reference for for almost every aspect of modern Yacht construction.
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 Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of the Offshore Yachts by John Rousmaniere
If you are planning a cruising boat, you need this book. It is a collection of essays and research papers sponsored by the Cruising Club of America. Covers all the safety and comfort requirements for an offshore yacht
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 The World's Best Sailboats : A Survey By Frenec Mate
If you want to get sailing as quickly and cheaply as possible, DON'T BUY THIS BOOK! It will add a year to your construction time and $10,000 to your cost but OH! what a dream book. It is by far the best of Frenec Mate's books. A great source for details on some of the finest production sailboats in existence. My copy is covered with drool spots.
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 Yacht Style: Design and Decor Ideas for Your Boat by Daniel Spurr
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Another dream book. This one concentrates on custom interiors. More power boat than sail and many of the boats would only be for Donald Trump but there are a lot of good ideas and it gives you an idea of the ultimate in yacht fit and finish. If I only got one dream book, it would be Frenec Mate's
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 Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction : Wood and West System Materials by Meade Gougeon
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The mother of all epoxy boatbuilding books. Unquestionably the most valuable book on boatbuilding I own. It is mostly cold molded methods but the basics of mold building, contemporary construction methods, tools and epoxy are covered. A great reference book.
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 Cold-Molded and Strip-Planked Wood Boatbuilding - Ian Nicholson
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This is the book that convinced me to go with strip composite construction. Half the book is cold molded but the other is invaluable information on traditional strip plank building. Combined with the information in Gougeron, you have 90% of what you need to know.
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 Boatbuilding Manual By Robert Stewart
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While this book is about traditional methods, there are a lot of things that have to be done traditionally. Most of the other books get you through the hull and leave the other 75% of the job to your imagination. This one covers the whole thing. I am using it for ideas on how to hold things in place while I attempt yo install and cuss at them.
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 The Laminated Wood Boatbuilder: A Step-By-Step Guide for the Backyard Builder by Hub Hiller,
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Mostly cold molded construction and the illustrations are a little on the cute side but some good information on cabin trunks and a lot of good detail drawings of construction details.
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 Boatbuilding With Baltek Durakore By David Brown
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If I had it to do over again. I would look seriously at Baktek Duracore strips. It would have been slightly more expensive than cedar strip but a lot less work and much lighter. This book is a good alternative to Ian Nicholson's book and a good reference on strip composite construction
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 Boat Joinery and Cabinet Making Simplified By Fred B
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Most of the books mentioned leave off the interior cabinet work. Bingham picks up at that point and covers almost everything after the hull is built. A bit traditional for my taste but the techniques are still very relevant.
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 Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking 1&2 : A Step-By-Step Guidebook to Essential Woodworking Technique by Tage Frid,
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This book has absolutely nothing to do with boat building but it is one of the finest books ever printed on the basics of fine wood working, shaping, laminating and joinery. .
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 Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical bible by Nigel Calde
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Calder is the unchallanged guru of the bilge and things that go zap in the night. This book covers almost everything amout maintaining all the systems on your boat. Other books cover specific system in more detail with more imphasis on installation but Calder covers just about everything on how to keep it running.
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Living on Twelve Volts With Ample Power by David Smead
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Everything you need to know about the theory of 12 volt systems but were afraid to ask. Very good information on the how, why and how much of battery banks, charging systems and a lot on refrigeration but kind of thin on installation.
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 The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible by John C. Payne
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This one covers the 12 Volt subject with more practical information on installation and maintenance. More detailed than Calder but not as much theory as Smead.
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">
 The Complete Riggers Apprentice by Brion Toss
Brion Toss is recognized as one of the best riggers in the US. Whine it does describe many standard and decorative knots and splicing of modern braided line, this is not a Knot book. It covers rigging strength, spar design, tuning, emergencies and most everything you need to understand about modern rigs.
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Site last modified:04/12/04
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