> Has anyone read G. Putz's book. Amazon.com has it listed. Has anyone out
> there built one of his boats?

I love that book. So much that I actually bought a second copy. Actually, I had cut the stringers and chine strips for building one of his boats, bought the canvas and paint, and was about to cut the frames when I misplaced the first copy. Had to buy a second copy to get the details to continue.

I think his idea for using large frames that sit on the floor has mixed virtues. On the one hand you do not need a strongback. On the other hand, you use a lot of plywood for the forms. Since I have a strongback, I refigured the numbers earlier today. so I can make forms that are 20 to 24 inches shorter. I should be able to get them all out of one sheet of plywood. Hopefully I'll find a way to post these numbers and a picture of what they mean. Time permitting I can cut the forms in a week or two and get the boat together before winter.

Back to the book. If you are entertaining the idea of building a skin on frame boat, the tips and elaborate construction details in this book will be a goldmine of ideas. You do not need special `full-size plans' to construct the boats in his book. He has all the drawings and specs you'll need so that you can make the forms easily. Beyond that, you just follow the pictures to assemble the rest of the boat. The text is informative and witty, which makes it easy to read.

Hope this wild-eyed endorsement is what you were looking for.

Paul Jacobson