[.ca] Building a Strip Canoe (ISBN 0899333494)

If you liked this book, you'll LOVE Canoe Craft by Moores:
I'm truly surprised at all the 5-star ratings this book has earned here. I checked this book out at the library and it was the first book I read about strip-built anything. Even at that time I was shocked at some of the shoddy work shown in the pictures (done by teenage shop class students, not the author). Maybe I'm a perfectionist, but when I borrowed Kayak Craft by Ted Moores from the library, I couldn't believe the difference in quality of the instruction and work being shown in the book. Moores also wrote Canoe Craft (actually before Kayak Craft) and the two books are very similar. I didn't even finish reading Moores' book before returning it, because I knew I wanted to buy it. Gilpatrick's book does contain a great chapter on resin safety, but you can get the same information for free from Gougeon Brothers, makers of West Systems Epoxy, which is where he got it from. I guess it's a great book if it were the only one of its kind, but seriously there is no comparison between this book and Canoe Craft. I will say one thing, if you want to cane your own seats, this would be a good book to buy because it contains an entire chapter dedicated to that. Taunton Press also sells an entire book dedicated to seat caning. Not sure of title, but I've seen it on book shelves.

Fiberglassing Pitfall:
I built an 18.5 ft White Guide model and am in the middle of building a 17 ft version of the same canoe. The first boat turned out well but the fiberglass is cloudy in spots. I layed up the second boat and the same thing occurred. It wasn't until sanding it down to the wood and relaminating (with the help of my brother) that I discovered the cause. Micro-bubbles in the resin were causing the clouding. It can occur when you reuse resin that you squeegee off the boat, but not always. The second boat is absolutely beautiful and will definitely be a head turner. But even the first canoe, with a less than perfect layup, has engendered many compliments on the few outings that I've taken. One more thing, work with a partner when fiberglassing and under-catalize the resin. It will give you more time to work and you'll end up with a better product.

Not foolproof by any means:
I am still in the middle of builing my canoe, but at times I think I'm working backward. Granted, I don't claim to be a master woodcrafter, but I've had to back up several times to correct problems that were not even hinted at in the book. I do have confidence that my canoe will float, but before I build another I will definitly check out some other books on the subject.

Great instruction::
Having seen cedar strip canoes while vacationing in Maine the book interested me. Using Gil's instructions I recently completed a 14' canoe, the "puddle duck." It's a nice little boat. I recommend it to anyone interested in building their own canoe. Gil is also a Master Maine Guide and very well known throughout Maine. Signed Mainer want to be

Everything you need to build your first or your tenth canoe:
I first read this book in 1986 and it inspired me to build my first wood strip canoe. Gil writes in a clear and easy style that is very inspiring. He takes away any feeling that wood-strip canoe building is anything other than a series of small steps that result in a wonderful, and beautiful work of craftsmanship. I finished my canoe in two months of weekends and then built the paddles as well! If you are at all intimidated at the thought of creating your own canoe, order this book and clean out a space in your garage because you will be working on your canoe in no time.