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 enlarge | Author: Gil Gilpatrick
Publisher: DeLorme
Category: Book
List Price: $17.95
Buy New: $17.00
You Save: $0.95 (5%)
New (1) Used (1) from $15.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 780487
Media: Paperback
Edition: Revised
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 128
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.3
ISBN: 0899331181
Dewey Decimal Number: 623.829
EAN: 9780899331188
ASIN: 0899331181
Publication Date: April 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Worth it for the caning instructions alone February 24, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I bought this book paired with the more advanced Canoecraft book and really couldn't be happier with both of them. Having read the Canoecraft book first I was left with some questions reguarding technical aspects of boatbuilding that this book answered wonderfully. The approach the author takes reflects one of an experienced teacher explaining the task with an eye toward common mistakes and how to avoid them. While the finished product as outlined is a bit heavy and lacking in elegance, as compared to the Canoecraft boat, I plan to utilize both books in the construction of my canoe. (Please note that the heaviness comes from extra fiberglass reinforcement that is a real necessity in the rocky streams of Maine, the author's state, and not so much here in the Midwest.) The real bonus, aside from the caning instructions which are wonderful, is the fact that you are also getting scale plans for eight boats which can be scanned, scaled and printed full size at your local copyshop. The project is easily completed by anyone who is remotely aquainted with woodworking techniques and in many instances the author explains multiple methods of doing the same step with a list of the pros and cons of each method. Excellent book to buy for your first canoebuilding experience.
Gilpatrick's book September 15, 2004
31 out of 31 found this review helpful
About 12 years ago my dad and I built the wabnaki canoe using Mr Gilpatrick's book, and this year I built a Prospector design using Canoecraft, at least in part. I would like to add my opinion abut the relative merits of these books.
Gilpatrick's book is designed, in my opinion, to tell you how to build what used to be referred to in the wood/canvas days as "guide canoes". These were workhorse canoes, without unnecessary decorations, a plain paint job and no frills. Mr Gilpatrick uses his own designs in guiding parties down whitewater rivers in Maine. His book describes how to use 2 layers of fiberglass to strengthen the bottom for whitewater, has complete instructions for caning very comfortable seats, has a good pattern for a portage-comfortable yoke, and has complete plans for all his designs, which only need to be enlarged. He does NOT spend time discussing stems (which are pretty but not necessary and add a lot of work to the construction), scuppered gunwales, accent strips, patterned decks, etc. It is impossible to build a cedar strip canoe which is not pretty, but function takes precedence in this book. His designs are practical and functional and he has proven that his construction methods produce a tough, durable boat. I think a canoe can sometimes be too pretty. If you're afraid to get it scratched up a bit you're not going to be taking it in places you should.
Canoecraft goes into more detail about appearances and has a section on accent strips, shows finely crafted decks with coamings, and uses a construction utilizing stems. The canoe which is illustrated being constructed is the Redbird, and the canoe is absolutely beautiful. The book has very good trouble shooting sections in the chapters. The designs require either a knowledge of lofting or purchasing plans and there is not a lot of discussion on seat construction. A chapter on lofting and on caning seats would add immensely to this book. (Believe me, if you get used to caned seats you'll never have another kind). Also, the canoes are described as being built with a single layer of glass on the outside and inside. I know a fellow who banged such a canoe into a rock on the Madison river and his $3000 investment ended up needing major repair work. My double layered wabnaki has bounced off numerous rocks and ledges in the Big Blackfoot river and has its share of scratches but is structurally intact. I would definitely add a layer of glass if you do any whitewater stuff. You can certainly built a very beautiful canoe with the advice in this book, but I think the two books compliment one another and I used both in building the prospector.
 If you liked this book, you'll LOVE Canoe Craft by Moores January 30, 2004
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
I'm truly surprised at all the 5-star ratings this book has earned here. I checked this book out at the library and it was the first book I read about strip-built anything. Even at that time I was shocked at some of the shoddy work shown in the pictures (done by teenage shop class students, not the author).
Maybe I'm a perfectionist, but when I borrowed Kayak Craft by Ted Moores from the library, I couldn't believe the difference in quality of the instruction and work being shown in the book. Moores also wrote Canoe Craft (actually before Kayak Craft) and the two books are very similar. I didn't even finish reading Moores' book before returning it to the library, because I knew I wanted to buy it.
Gilpatrick's book does contain a great chapter on resin safety, but you can get the same information for free from Gougeon Brothers, makers of West Systems Epoxy, which is where he got it from. I guess it's a great book if it were the only one of its kind, but seriously there is no comparison between this book and Canoe Craft.
I will say one thing, if you want to cane your own seats, this would be a good book to buy because it contains an entire chapter dedicated to that. Taunton Press also sells an entire book dedicated to seat caning. Not sure of title, but I've seen it on book shelves.
Not foolproof by any means October 22, 2003
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I am still in the middle of builing my canoe, but at times I think I'm working backward. Granted, I don't claim to be a master woodcrafter, but I've had to back up several times to correct problems that were not even hinted at in the book. I do have confidence that my canoe will float, but before I build another I will definitly check out some other books on the subject.
 Great instruction: August 16, 2002
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Having seen cedar strip canoes while vacationing in Maine the book interested me. Using Gil's instructions I recently completed a 14' canoe, the "puddle duck." It's a nice little boat. I recommend it to anyone interested in building their own canoe. Gil is also a Master Maine Guide and very well known throughout Maine.Signed
Mainer want to be
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