Product Description

Although better than nine out of ten boats afloat today are made of fiberglass, a significant minority of boaters believe that a boat isn't a boat unless it's made of wood. Wooden boats have character. Wooden boats are real. Wooden boats are living things, not plastic stampings from the corporate cookie cutter. But new wooden boats are priced beyond the reach of most families, and building from scratch takes more time and energy than many people have. The alternative, buying a tired old wooden boat and "fixing it up," is harder than it sounds because the available information is written for skilled craftsmen using traditional methods and materials to restore antique boats to museum standards--worlds away from the needs of the average boater. Enter author Jim Trefethen, who rebuilds wooden boats in Marblehead, Massachusetts, using modern materials and methods, such as epoxy laminations, to replace traditional heavy timber framework. Written for the novice, this book tells the reader how to select the right boat; establish a work schedule and budget; buy the right tools and equipment; select alternatives to endangered tropical rainforest woods; repair and modify the hull, topsides, deckhouse, masts, and interior; when, why, and how to use fiberglass; paint and refinishing; repairing electrical and mechanical systems, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61120 in Books
• Published on: 1993-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 302 pages

Amazon.com Review
Whether you own a wooden boat or are just toying with the idea of buying one, Wooden Boat Renovation is an essential addition to your nautical library. Author Jim Trefethen offers clear, detailed advice--in terms a layperson can understand--on how to select, renovate, and maintain a wooden boat. Trefethen's love of these craft is evident throughout the book, and his sense of humor enlivens the text. As one Amazon.com customer says, "A well-made, classic wooden boat is really a piece of art that just happens to float." Wooden Boat Renovation can help you become an artist. --M. Stein

Review
"I strongly recommend this book. It is as full of humor and wisdom as practical tips... It's an enriching, helpful book." -- The Ash Breeze

"Not just another how-to book, this is in-depth instruction written with knowledge, compassion and love for wooden boats." -- The Ensign

Review
``I strongly recommend this book. It is as full of humor and wisdom as practical tips. . .It's an enriching, helpful book.'' (The Ash Breeze )

Customer Reviews

If You Want A Wooden Boat, Buy This Book!
When I bought this book, I had some basic wood-working skills (I've built decks and simple things like that), but I knew absolutely nothing about making repairs to wooden boats. This book gave me valuable guidance in selecting a classic old wooden boat to buy, and helped me to transform her into something marvelous over the course of this summer.

The book is well-written. It is not highly technical or difficult to understand and it gave me confidence to take on some repairs that I would never have attempted if I hadn't read it. The author is clearly a character, and his personality shows in the amusing asides and comments sprinkled throughout the book.

A well-made, classic wooden boat is really a piece of art that just happens to float. There are few straight lines, pieces are bent in multiple directions and stressed in unusual ways. The book won't turn you into a Picasso of this amazing art overnight, but it is tremendously helpful to somebody just getting started.

If you are thinking about jumping into wooden boats, consider the following: With a little bit of money and lots of hard work, I now own something which speaks to my soul. How many of your current possessions can you say that about?

Great Read and Superb Information
This is a "must-have" book for both the serious as well wanna-be wooden boat owner. The book is loaded with lots of helpful information and tips. And it is fun, easy and enjoyable to read. Jim's no nonsense writing style is clear and consise. The book does not cover topics in intricate detail but that is not its intent. What it does cover is 80% of what someone needs to know and the book is a great resourece for further research. You just get a sense that Jim knows what he's talking about. Buy this book!

The Best Wooden Boat Book Yet
This is the first wooden boat book I purchased and it is still my favorite. I've even reread it a couple of times, something I've never done before. Trefethen's sense of humor and realism make this book a delight to read. His knowledge of the subject and his ability to put his ideas into laymens terms make this book very educational to read. You are able to soak up every piece of information without rereading a paragraph several times scratching your head. Buy This Book!