<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Very detailed. It Makes you want to get up and build.
Review: Chris is also pleasant to talk with on the phone. Though I selected kits of another vendor, I honor the author of this book. He is living a Life he enjoys, and writes well about it so others can emulate to the degree they wish.
Rating: 
Summary: A good description and an easy learning how to build a kayak
Review: Easy to follow and a good explanation of how to build a kayak (Cape Charles). The explanation of why things had to be done as told in the book made it easier to understand everything. Even a description of building a paddle was in the book,which I appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading for Stitch and Glue Kayak Builders
Review: If you have ever considered building your own sea kayak, The Kayak Shop is required reading. The author clearly and effectively describes the steps involved in building these simple but elegant boats. It covers everything from materials and tools, to painting and varnishing tips and everything in between. The book is also nicely illustrated with photographs demonstrating specific building techniques. After reading this book, I built my own stitch and glue kayak from one of the author's kits. I referenced The Kayak Shop constantly during the process.
Rating:
Summary: Alternative to strip or canvas covered kayaks
Review: There are about four books out by the same publisher on the subject of building your own kayaks. This one I read while building the one by G. Putz.In the home garage, you can make strip kayaks or covered frame boats. This particular book describes a way of boat-building that is popular in parts of Europe - stitched marine plywood. I'd never heard of this before; the practice of sewing two halves of a hull together with wire and then applying a resilient epoxy. It appears that this is an excellent way to make a kayak efficiently and with less effort than the other types. Another advantage is space on the interior for storage and leg-room which the frame boats do not afford. Also, these look NICE. Had I not started on a canvas number, I would have made one of these. Very well written, lots of detail. The author clearly has a lot of experience building these things. You could easily follow along like a cookbook's recipe - nicely done.
Rating:
Summary: Alternative to strip or canvas covered kayaks
Review: There are about four books out by the same publisher on the subject of building your own kayaks. This one I read while building the one by G. Putz. In the home garage, you can make strip kayaks or covered frame boats. This particular book describes a way of boat-building that is popular in parts of Europe - stitched marine plywood. I'd never heard of this before; the practice of sewing two halves of a hull together with wire and then applying a resilient epoxy. It appears that this is an excellent way to make a kayak efficiently and with less effort than the other types. Another advantage is space on the interior for storage and leg-room which the frame boats do not afford. Also, these look NICE. Had I not started on a canvas number, I would have made one of these. Very well written, lots of detail. The author clearly has a lot of experience building these things. You could easily follow along like a cookbook's recipe - nicely done.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This book was easy to follow - I made the kayak, and did not buy any plans. An opaque projector and poster board worked. I really enjoy my boat.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This is an excellant book. Very educational and inspiring. The only problem I can see is that you do need to buy the plans to build the boats and unless you can loft the plans that are printed in the book, plans for these three kayaks are no longer available. "The New Kayak Shop" also by Chris Kulczycki is virtually the same book with not so much "three more" boats you can build but the improved versions of this books boats. In other words it replaces this book. Unless you are a dyed in the wool bookaholic like myself, just buy "The New Kayak Shop". Plans and kits are available for those boats and that combined with the quality of instruction from the book practically guarantees a high quality kayak at a very low price along with builders bragging rights.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Very good intro to building stitch and glue boats. It would be a little easier to redraw to full size if the prints in the book included all of the needed dimensions. I have CAD, but I had to play around a little with the radii on the bow and stern to get them right. Unless I wanted to spend additional money on the full size plans from the author. Still, I consider this the "bible" for this type of boat construction.
<< 1 >>
| 
