The Complete Guide to Metal Boats: Building, Maintenance, and Repair [Hardcover]

R. Bruce Roberts-Goodson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2000

For anyone even considering building, buying, or renovating a metal boat, this must-have resource provides a thorough overview of steel, aluminum, and copper-nickel boat construction. Written by one of the world’s most experienced small-craft designers, Metal Boats explains the advantages of metal; how to buy it; how to cut and weld it; how to build or refurbish hulls, decks, and superstructures with it; and how to finish it. The book also covers engineering for metal boats, corrosion prevention, interior design and construction, electrical systems, appendages, fittings, and a portfolio of designs for metal powerboats and sailboats.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A boat made of metal is the strongest boat possible. Metal boats can deal with hazards like ice and coral that could rip apart a fiberglass or wooden hull. Many long-distance cruisers choose metal boats for just that reason. However, metal boats are not mass-produced; the only way to get one is to build it yourself or have it custom-built. This revised and expanded edition of The Complete Guide to Metal Boats, written by an expert in the field, explains the advantages of metal boats, how to build or refurbish hulls, decks, and superstructures, and how to prevent corrosion. Special attention is given to building from plans and precut kits and sample designs for metal powerboats and sailboats are included.

Three decades of interaction with boatbuilders and sailors have shown Bruce Roberts-Goodson exactly what questions need answering and where a word of advice can produce big savings in time and money. This is the place to look for shop- and ocean-tested inspiration for the boat of your dreams.

About the Author

Bruce Roberts-Goodson is one of the world's foremost small-craft designers. He has run his own yacht design firm, with offices in Australia, the United States, and Canada, for more than 30 years. He has sold more than 50,000 sets of boat plans.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 292 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (September 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071364447
• ISBN-13: 978-0071364447
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,463,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Ships > Boat Building

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AUTOR'S REVIEW, April 25, 2001

By 

Bruce Roberts-Goodson (Annapolis USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Metal Boats: Building, Maintenance, and Repair (Hardcover)

As The "Complete Guide to METAL BOATS" is about to be re-printed I thought this a good time to write an 'Author's review'. Over the past few months I have received hundreds of emails from customers expressing favourable comment on my book. When an author writes a book much of the content is usually 'researched' material ... In this case most of what you read in MB came out of my personal knowledge and experiance in designing and building metal boats. I personally find MB a great reference for the the researched material and the many pieces of information that occasionally 'slips ones mind' If you are planning to build or own a metal boat I can recommend this book without reservation. MB will NOT teach you how to weld but it WILL teach a welder how to build and maintain a metal boat. Regards, Bruce Roberts-Goodson

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent update to an already great book!, October 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Metal Boats: Building, Maintenance, and Repair (Hardcover)

I waited with interest for the new edition as was advertised on www.bruceroberts.com website, and talked with the folks at Bruce Roberts, who explained that the whole book was being updated. They were quite helpful, and quite correct.

The book explains the "mysteries" and answers most questions regarding building a metal boat whether building from scratch and plans or from a computer cut kit. It explains the differences in the various materials with no great bias and plainly spells out the pluses & minuses of each. Welding techniques and materials are outlined as are methods for fitting out and installing systems.

Mr. Roberts-Goodson's writing style is down-to-earth, explaining items in plain English which makes it very easy to understand. I would heartily recommend this book to anyone considering building or buying a metal boat. Additionally metal boats owners would enjoy this book and would use it as a resource for repair and maintenance.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best of a small bunch., December 4, 2004

By 

Chris de Beachcomber "chris31415" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Metal Boats: Building, Maintenance, and Repair (Hardcover)

I brought this book because I was planning to build a kit (plasma cut boat).
The information in this book is valuable and to the point.
He also makes some important points about buying a steel boat.
However, in common with most boat building books it needs a whole chapter on costing and time to build to make it complete.
To get a handle on costing I would recommend:-
1) "Steel Away" by Smith and Moir
2) "the Cruising Life" by Jim Trefethen (I keep on rereading this book).
3) "Insider's Guide to Buying a Powerboat" by J.P. Lamy