The Art of Wooden Boat Repair

Book excerpt: "The Art of Wooden Boat Repair: A Boatwright's Secret Tricks of the Trade" brings to you the experience and insights gained by Allen Cody Taube through 40 years of boat building, owning and sailing wooden schooners, marine surveying and wooden boat repair. Taube outlines and details wooden boat repairs in a clear and informal style, taking time and care to answer the many legitimate questions a boat carpenter or boat owner might ask. Beginning with the directive that developing a good positive attitude, organization, and making good templates are most important to your success, the author moves on to discuss such practical details as selecting and using the correct tools and woods, survey a wooden boat; framing; building a steam box; replacing sawn and laminated frames; replacing and repairing carvel planking; caulking; refastening; making templates for floor timbers; battling ship worms, and replacing and repairing stems, keels, keel bolts, through-hulls, masts and rigging, and decks. More than 100 illustrations supplement the excellent text. With this clearly written book that takes the mystery out of wooden boat repair and shares previously horded tricks of the trade, you'll feel confident and have the information you need to work, repair and maintain on your own wooden boat.