First published over a century ago, this handy book offers timeless advice and instruction on designing and constructing a variety of small boats. Written especially for amateurs, this manual contains comprehensive, simply written directions for building canoes, rowing and sailing boats, and hunting craft.

Canoe-building is treated in detail because, as the author points out, the processes involved are common to all types of small craft. Once mastered, the principles can be applied to simpler vessels such as the rowboat, skiff, and dory. The profusely illustrated text also includes hard-to-find coverage of building the Barnegat Sneakbox, the Rob Roy Canoe, and the Delaware Ducker. Additional chapters offer valuable guidelines for outfitting the craft with paddles, rudders, sails, and other equipment.

Written by W. P. Stephens, a distinguished expert in the field, this volume will serve as a valuable companion for beginners in the craft of boat-building, as well as a useful and information-packed sourcebook for experienced builders.