The Kayak Shop: Three Elegant Wooden Kayaks Anyone Can Build [Paperback]

Chris Kulczycki (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1993

The Kayak Shop includes complete plans and step-by-step instructions for building Yare-a 16-foot, 28-pound high-performance single that can be built in 40 hours from two sheets of plywood; Cape Charles, an 18-foot, 38-pound expedition kayak; and Pocomoke, a 20-foot toring double that, at 52 pounds, is light enough for one person to paddle. Also included is a section on designing your own kayak, and plans for building paddles from wood and epoxy. Most knowledgeable boatbuilders agree that wood is stiffer, lighter, and more fatigue-resistant than fiberglass or plastic. And no one doubts that wooden boats are more beautiful. Here are three gorgeous, ultralight, high performance, human-powered wooden boats anyone can build using only simple handtools and a saber saw. These kayaks can do anything the best plastic boats can do, for less than half the price of the least expensive ones-and at less than half the weight.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a very useful book, clearly written, well illustrated, fully explanatory." -- Atlantic Coast Kayaker

"The Kayak Shop is recommended reading for anyone contemplating going paddling in a kayak of their own creation." -- Sea Kayaker

"This book should prove to be one of the standards on boat building that will be on every boat builder's bookshelf." -- Upper Midwest Kayak Tourning News

Product Details

• Paperback: 157 pages
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing (November 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070355193
• ISBN-13: 978-0070355194
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #614,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book but obsolete plans!, August 22, 2001

By 

C. Cook (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Kayak Shop: Three Elegant Wooden Kayaks Anyone Can Build (Paperback)

This is an excellant book. Very educational and inspiring. The only problem I can see is that you do need to buy the plans to build the boats and unless you can loft the plans that are printed in the book, plans for these three kayaks are no longer available. "The New Kayak Shop" also by Chris Kulczycki is virtually the same book with not so much "three more" boats you can build but the improved versions of this books boats. In other words it replaces this book. Unless you are a dyed in the wool bookaholic like myself, just buy "The New Kayak Shop". Plans and kits are available for those boats and that combined with the quality of instruction from the book practically guarantees a high quality kayak at a very low price along with builders bragging rights.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading for Stitch and Glue Kayak Builders, November 23, 1999

By 

Andrew Gere (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Kayak Shop: Three Elegant Wooden Kayaks Anyone Can Build (Paperback)

If you have ever considered building your own sea kayak, The Kayak Shop is required reading. The author clearly and effectively describes the steps involved in building these simple but elegant boats. It covers everything from materials and tools, to painting and varnishing tips and everything in between. The book is also nicely illustrated with photographs demonstrating specific building techniques. After reading this book, I built my own stitch and glue kayak from one of the author's kits. I referenced The Kayak Shop constantly during the process.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alternative to strip or canvas covered kayaks, November 15, 1999

By 

"jpshoo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kayak Shop: Three Elegant Wooden Kayaks Anyone Can Build (Paperback)

There are about four books out by the same publisher on the subject of building your own kayaks. This one I read while building the one by G. Putz.

In the home garage, you can make strip kayaks or covered frame boats. This particular book describes a way of boat-building that is popular in parts of Europe - stitched marine plywood. I'd never heard of this before; the practice of sewing two halves of a hull together with wire and then applying a resilient epoxy.

It appears that this is an excellent way to make a kayak efficiently and with less effort than the other types. Another advantage is space on the interior for storage and leg-room which the frame boats do not afford. Also, these look NICE. Had I not started on a canvas number, I would have made one of these.

Very well written, lots of detail. The author clearly has a lot of experience building these things. You could easily follow along like a cookbook's recipe - nicely done.