: What book and/or plans do you folks recommend for building a strip sea kayak
: and a strip canoe. My wife and I have a fairly complete shop, including
: cabinet saw, jointer, planer, tig welder, plasma torch and much more. We
: have been building things for several years and are interested in trying
: our skills with a sea kayak or a canoe. We live in the Philadelphia area
: so have plenty of water to choose from. We both love the look of strip
: boats, canoes and kayaks. What books do you recommend for a canoe and what
: book do you recommend for a kayak. There are so many books out there its
: hard to make a decision. Also where is the best source for wood strips. We
: can rip them ourselves but this may be a false economy. We appreciate your
: recommendations.

: Ken & Pat
Hi Ken, and Pat,

If you decide to build a Sea Kayak AND a Canoe, consider going with both Ted's books, then you should be able to get re-use out of the stong back, the kayak one is longer so I'd recommend building that one. I have not read any other canoe building books... If you go with Nick's book for the kayak, you will have a much smaller strong back to have left over to deal with.

That is a small thing, the biggest is of course which designs you like. There's lots of choice of designs in Canoe Craft, but only 3 (or is it 4 with a double) in kayak craft, basically a small, medium, large, (and double?). I'ts been a while since I read kayak craft.

I built a Huron Cruiser canoe from canoe craft and found the book to be good, the only minor things I found to be not covered well were: Lofting, which is very easy for a canoe, and there is help on the bear mountain web site; and the building of the seats (I'd have like to have caned (or is it cained, canned...) mine. These issues are very minor the rest of the book is great.

I tried to loft from kayak craft, and had considerable difficulty, then put it off... I think I figured out how to do it, just have not got around to it.
(I believe the profile and shear line points are reversed, and you have to measure from the 4" water line for the deck, but I'm not sure...I've yet to do it). If you are as cheap as I am, you want to loft out the tables. I found lofting to be quite fun, making the building a complete experince. Just fair warning, if you look at Kayak craft and like the designs you may have to purchase the plans. The rest of the book seems very good.

I've also got Nick's book, which I really liked. He makes a statment like 'he enjoys kayaking, and wants to help others experince the same joy' (this is from memory, hopefully I've not messed it up to bad) Anyways I found that thought to come through in his book. One think I liked for example, is he will show how he does somthing, but then give examples of other ways you can do it. (for example the strip pattern, or joining the two halves of the kayaks together). I've not tried to build one of his strippers (yet) so can't give to accurate an opinion. I liked the book, the only thing is I wish there was a bigger version of the Guillemot in there.

In a very general sense Ted's book was very specific to his designs, and leaves little room for error, each step is what is optimal for the kayak plans in his book. Nick's book Also takes you from start to finish with his plans, but is a little more general, giving options that may help in buiding a design that is not in his book, or at least give you somthing to think on. One thing that Nicks book had, is a 'trick' stripping section, and use of veneer inlays.

I've also quickly read "the new kayak shop", which was recomended on this KBBS as a good book to read for learning the stich and glue method. I agree it is a good book. As I said I quickly read it, so again I can't give to indepth an opinion other than to say if you are considering building a Stich and Glue, do consider this book. I've not read any other stich and glue books, and can not make a comparison.

I've also not read any other strip built books. Judging from the One Ocean Kayak page, his book should also be good, but as I said, I've never seen it.

Personally I'd recomend finding a design you like and go with a book written with that design (or family of designs)in it. Often the building method for one kayak family, is not optimal for another design. Read the whole book, and if somthing seems to be missing, buy Nick's book too.

If you are like me, every time you are in a book store you'll find yourself heading for the building secion, and checking for any new kayak building books. Next thing you'll be at the cashier, spending more money, then still unable to decide which boat to build.

Welcome aboard, it's great fun

Myrl