Charlotte: A Wooden Boat Story

Like Rössel’s book, this work provides a comprehensive introduction to traditional boat building, but is more idiosyncratic and employs an amusing, wry humor throughout.  I have never met David McIntosh, but from this book I imagine that he is a wonderful old salt, whose passion for traditional boat building is only outstripped by his knowledge and experience.

Lofting is the process of drawing lines of a boat full-size, to get the shapes and patterns needed for building. One starts with a couple of simple two dimensional drawings, and ends up with a set of full size patterns from that defines the shape of the hull.  It is a miraculous process to behold, and appears to be almost mystical to the uninitiated, not to mention confusing and frustrating to those bold enough to try it the first time.  Ideally lofting is learned directly from a master boatwright who explains each aspect of the process and patiently leads the student through the process, but for those without access to a master boatwright, this book is the next best thing! 

Since the 1970’s, Maynard Bray has been a central figure in movement to preserve and disseminate the knowledge and traditions of wooden boat construction.  He has tremendous insight and a wonderful passion for wooden boats.  In this volume, he gives one of the most thorough and intelligible accounts of how to build a wooden boat: a practical day sailer designed by Joel White, based on Herreshoff’s 12 ½ foot timeless classic.

The Craft Reader is a comprehensive anthology of writings on every aspect of craft — from the seminal texts of the Arts and Crafts Movement to today's “DIY” movement, from soulful meditations to theoretical writings by influential practitioners, from feminist histories of textiles to descriptions of the innovation born of necessity —  this reader covers practitioners and thinkers from all over the globe.  The world of craft is considered in its full breadth: from pottery and how-to texts on weaving, to couture and chocolate-making, to contemporary art, architecture and curation.   This is a big, bulky book.  But don’t be intimidated by its girth, as it is contains 84 distinct articles and can be accessed and appreciated in bite-size portions.  Each section and article is expertly introduced by Adamson, and his Annotated Guide to Further Reading is an excellent guide to the current literature on the subject.

The title says it all, and it is the first of three albums.  Best of all, if a boat catches your fancy, large scale and buildable drawings are available from Wooden Boat Magazine.

“Charlotte” focuses on a boatyard in Martha’s Vineyard, and most of the works listed here are steeped in the maritime traditions of the Northeast.  McClure’s beautiful book reminds us that there is a vibrant center of wooden boating in the Northwest as well, one with its own distinct traditions of yacht design and construction.  Though they find themselves a continent apart, they are united by a deep appreciation of wooden boats and the steadfast desire to keep those traditions vibrant and alive. 
 

“One afternoon in 1997, an unsuspecting Jim Spaulding arrived home from work to learn that his wife Cheryl had "rescued" a dilapidated 25-foot, gaff-rigged sloop from a date with the incinerator. Over the next six years, the Spauldings, along with a colorful cast of family and friends, faithfully restored the Atkins-design Rose to its original beauty. This is their engaging story. The tale of Rose culminates with the maiden voyage of the restored vessel on the Chesapeake Bay, but not before readers are treated to an entertaining and illustrated journey through the entire restoration process. While most of the story takes a "how-they-did-it" approach, several sections explain unique tasks in the restoration.” (Publisher’s description)