Customer Reviews

The Strip-Built Sea Kayak: Three Rugged, Beautiful Boats You Can Build

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are perhaps four books out on building kayaks available through Amazon. This is the most recent to date, and definately the best of the four I've purchased so far. I just completed a canvas number on G. Putz's book, ( which is an exceptional book also), but I wish I had seen this one at the onset for it's strength as a general reference.

So far I've know of three basic kayak building techniques - canvas on frame, stitched plywood, and strip kayaks. This book describes the very advanced (and perhaps most beautiful) method of making a boat of strips with re-enforcing epoxy. They are absolutely beautiful creations, though probably a little heavier than the plywood ones.

This is a very highly detailed book with great photographs and computer generated diagrams. The author is a professional boat-builder who, like the magician that reveals his tricks, descibes everything - down to proper material selection, a list of current suppliers, plans (x3 + paddles), scientific details on boyancy and design, and numerous other details. This book is useful to those going off of other techniques and advices.

Skill-wise I would say that you'd have to be fairly advanced, not afraid to use epoxy and fiberglass, and the owner of at least a band-saw. ( unless you buy a kit or pre-cut wood)

A great resource! I'm building a strip one next!

P.S. - the guy who says that these boats aren't seaworthy is full of bunk!

My parents bought this book for my birthday two years ago. Last week I finished building a gorgeous (with all modesty) Guillemot Kayak. Mr. Shade seemed to understand that there were many "right" ways to do the same thing and he allowed for different skill levels. In addition, nearly every task was described with an accurate degree of difficulty and understanding of the problems associated with each task. In fact, the only difficulty I had was when I deviated from the book's instructions to complete the hatch hold downs. If you want to paddle and have fun, go buy a "plastic" kayak. If you want people to exclaim, "What a gorgeous boat! Where did you get it?" and will derive pleasure in saying, after an appropriate pause, "I built it myself", buy this book and get started. One warning. This is a BIG project and will take several hundred hours to complete (depending on your skill level), but the book can be read and followed by anyone with average woodworking skills and the end result is quite fantastic.

This is the best book I have ever seen on the subject of strip built technique. I have read this book, several times, and created a boat based on the designs from the author. This book has ALL the information needed to make a beautiful kayak. It is my primary shop reference, with specific details on design, how to assemble the strips, how to fair the boat, how to fiberglass, how to outfit and finish the boat. The steps are described in detail, and richly illustrated with informative pictures.

Thank you Nick Schade for your excellent book, your superb website and your magnificent boats. I picked this boat for all the wrong reasons. I had not paddled one, or evaluated the technical merits of it's design with respect to other boats. I didn't do a cost-benefit analysis or listen to the advice of friends. When I saw that boat, she stole my heart. Honestly, I can't imagine being happier with a boat if I had done all those other things anyway.

To think that by using what I learned in your book, in thirteen short weeks I watched a bundle of sticks and a roll of blueprints metamorphose into a such a beatutiful creature, is almost incredible. She may have come out of my basement through my hands, but she's your creation too, and I thank you for helping me make it real.

The single biggest disadvantage to having a boat made from this book is that it takes much longer to launch, because everyone around wants to know where you got such a lovely boat. This book will get you there, so plan ahead for the delays now.

Sincerely,

Ed Valley

I am just about finished with my double Guillemot kayak from Nick's book. It will be a beautiful boat for me to use with my family on overnight and day trips on the Puget Sound.

Nick's book was wonderful, and I highly recommend it for anyone who is building or thinking of building a kayak (or even a canoe). It is filled with a wealth of information about the techniques necessary to build kayaks from wood strips, but is easy enough to follow and is structured well so it all comes together without any confusion.

I have been extremely pleased with the book, and I bet you will be too.

I have been thinking about building a kayak for some time now. I ordered this book from Amazon and I have now started building. I couldn't have hoped for a better building companion ! The explanations are clear, the text is encouraging and the fact that there are three free plan/offsets makes this book a well-worth investment. I feel very confident of building the Guillemot from the book even though I have absolutely no previous experience in building kayaks.

After searching the net, I came across this book at Nick's Internet site. I purchased the book, and paid him more I might add than if I'd first found it on Amazon. I have found this book to be very informative and motivating. I am confident that anyone, even if you've never worked w/wood before could build a boat after reading this. The added bonus is that he includes the offsets (don't get scared) for three of his boats. At first this chapter intimidated me, however after reading it a second time (and slower) it all made sense. Lofting is like a "connect the dots" coloring book, only you have to use the offsets to first place the dots in the right place. Once you place the dots, simply connect them to make a form. I can't wait to get started on my first boat! Oh by the way, I don't mind paying him a little extra considering the quality of this book. This book is as much a work of art as the kayaks are. A great book!

Nick Schade's book on strip building kayaks is well worth the read, if you are looking for some inspiration. It is well laid out and on the whole gives you the information you need. You might decide you want to skip the difficulties of lofting your own plans and just buy some, but if you are math minded and put in the hours, this book has enough information to build a very nice kayak without the need for buying plans.

This is the best "how-to" book I've read. Five months ago I had two plastic kayaks and knew absolutely nothing about kayak-building. I bought this book, after wandering into Nick's website. Now I'm starting my second wooden kayak and contemplating a lineup of other wooden boats to follow. Why? Because Nick's enthisiasm is infectious, and his humanity, his good humor, his attention to detail, and his love of what he does are everywhere in this book. This is the book I come back to over and over. Don't be discouraged by an earlier review from a man well-known to the online kayak-building community for his consistent disparagement and negativity. My one criticism of the book? I wish it had more color pictures of these beautiful boats so I could show others to explain my enthusiasm.

An easy, fun read that enabled me to begin construction of a wood strip kayak in my garage 2 days after receiving the book. Nick gives clear instructions, lots of photos, and professional hints for producing the kayak from which dreams are made.

You will not go wrong with this soon to be legendary how-to on wood strip construction.

I can only echo the other reviewers. I too am one with little to no woodworking experience (well, apart from woodshop classes in junior high!) and ... somehow ... ended up with a great looking boat following the plans laid out by the book. Mr. Schade is to be commended not only for a well-written instructional guide, but for providing an exceptional level of support through his running of an online support board specifically for kayak builders (more info in the book, of course). If you're remotely interested in building your own kayak, get the book. When you decide to do it, you'll be adequately prepared -- and you'll end up with a gorgeous boat.