The Guide to Wooden Power Boats (Hardcover)

by Maynard Bray (Author), Benjamin Mendlowitz (Photographer) "As with many nautical terms, the word launch may mean different things..." (more)
Key Phrases: power cruisers, working boats, New York, East Boothbay, Chris-Craft Corp (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
An intelligent selection of subjects, hard-core color photography, and informative commentary makes this more than just a field guide. -- Woodenboat Review, March/April 1999

Product Description
A beautiful and indispensable guide to wooden power boats by America's preeminent photographer of wooden boats. This small, elegant book of the most gorgeous wooden powerboats in the world is divided into five categories-launches, runabouts and racers, power cruisers, motor yachts, and work boats. Among the magnificent vessels included are Kittywake, a 100-year-old British steam launch, and Jessica, a legendary 75-foot motor yacht built in 1930 whose early years were spent as a fast commute to New York City through Long Island Sound. Also presented here are converted shrimp boats, tugboats, gold cup racers, and the stunning Principia, a gleaming 96-foot power yacht and favorite among enthusiasts.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 164 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.; 1st edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393046605
• ISBN-13: 978-0393046601
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #638,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful small book, but misleading title, not a guide, November 3, 1998

By A Customer

Excellent book and beautiful photography, but this is not a guide to help you find a particular model or type, it is a composite of various photographs (beautiful) of individual owner boats categorized by style and type. Great book, but if you are looking for a guide book, this is not it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty pics, but NOT a guide, September 9, 2007

By	Roger M. Jahn "wooden boats need love too, (a... (N. KY Ohio River) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One can tell that the pictures were beautifully done, but there is only one pic per boat and sometimes did not show the best side of the vessel...the Chris "barrel back" had the rear covered by spray ! A brief paragraph with year, builder/ designer, length and beam was about it on the description. Not exhaustive, not very informative. A minature coffee table book of a very few wooden powerboats. Pics; 5 stars, organization; 5 stars, information/ completeness; 2 stars.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Sears Catalog of Wood Boat Types, September 5, 2000

By	Vance Jochim "vjochim" (Mount Dora, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are just a few facts and a paragraph of text for each boat on a single page, but cruise thru the chapters to select the next type of boat you, as a woodie fan, wants to move up to. I like the 30's commuters and the runabouts (I own a 1941 Chris) so this book sits in the living room and gets reviewed periodically when time permits. The ultimate woodie wishlist book. Vance Jochim, webmaster for www.coolwoodies.com - homeport for two ACBS chapters.