Reviews (11)

simply great
this one is simple. if you work or are interested in old school wood boats,,then you must have this book on your shelf.
Don't let my three star rating turn you away from this book.
Don't let my three star rating turn you away from this book.It is well written, complete in every sense of the word and well illustrated.I gave it three stars because I found other books on this subject to be more readable and easier to use as a guide and reference.This is a text book style work and it has a great place in all the books on boatbuilding.It is a fine work, but then, I must ask you, how many fine books can there be?What if I said that this was yet another fine boat building book...then what?This book makes a wonderful reference.It makes an excellent text book.It is useful if you have more than two people working on a hull (one to read aloud and the other to work).But it is not an easy, cook book on boat building.I recommend it, But there are other books out there that are better sources of information for the home builder.

What About the Designs?
I agree with the other (positive) reviewers--not an easy read, but well worth the investment in time.My favorite part of the book, though, has not been mentioned.Mr. Chapelle includes a number of sample designs--wonderful classics from a rowing peapod to a large commercial fishing boat.If you have some solid boat building experience, the plans are complete enough to build from, with a little eyestrain.For historical purposes, these designs complement those in American Small Sailing Craft, another worthwhile book by H.I. Chapelle.There is also an interesting, though too brief, section on choosing a design. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boatbuilding    2. Boating - Boatbuilding    3. Design and construction    4. Reference    5. Ship Design And Construction    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    7. Ships, Wooden    8. Transportation    9. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    10. Ships & shipping: general interest   

Reviews (4)

Worst Technical Manual Ever Written
I have owned and read countless technical/shop manuals over the years and this is hands-down the WORST of them all.The organization of subject matter is terrible.You don't know which chapter to look for what.The table of contents and index are of no use.The manual reads like a novel- in paragraph form.You'll find yourself reading through paragraphs of non-pertinent information to find a number your are looking for such as the specified ignition timing.The information in this book is also very incomplete at best.In fact, this book does not even list the maximum RPM range for the motors.One chapter refers the reader to Chapter 5 for maximum operating RPM range, but this information is nowhere to be found in Chapter 5, or anywhere else for that matter!There are plenty of other dissappointments such as reference to lousy black-and-white pictures to identify a single screw that's not even labeled.If you're looking for a book that reads like a supermarket pulp fiction novel that will give you very basic small engine 101 knowledge, this book might be for you.If you are looking for a manual you can actually use for technical reference, do not buy this book!You will be sorely dissappointed.Instead, try the book by Seloc.

Not enough
This book has a pretty good trouble shooting section andwiring diagrams. BUT It has no index which makes it really hard to cut to the parts you need w/out having to wade through a bunch of stuff you don't need. The pictures are OK as far as they go but it'd be better with more short of what the engined look like on the boat (where most are serviced). There isn't much description of how a system ought to work other than the general one describing what a system should do, nothing about, say, how to get inside the power tilt to service it on the boat...rather its there but you have to read between the lines. Some Owners Maual type descriptiones would be more helpful.

did the job..........
it showed me enough info and in a way i could understand. i had a small job (which got larger as i got into it)to do on my trusty old 8hp motor for my sailboat,and i found all the info i needed to take it apart and fix it and more important to put it back together again . i recommend this book to anyone who needs to do a job that they dont want to pay someone else to do, good photos help a lot. ...........martin ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Maintenance and repair    4. Outboard motors    5. Reference    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Small Boat Maintenance and repair    8. Transportation   

Reviews (1)

JOHNSON/EVINRUDE OUTBOARDS 1971-89
A handy guide for the person wishing to know more about how their outboard operates, how to care for the same and plenty of good hints. Would be also suitable for a person wanting to take the engine apart and rebuild, written in simple style with good illustrations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. Boating - General    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Maintenance and repair    5. Outboard Motors    6. Reference    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    9. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    10. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    11. Technology    12. Transportation    13. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (6)

Excellent book for the beginning builder
I used this book extensively along with my regular plans book when building my Cosine Wherry. The well done illustrations and explanations helped answer many a question on "how" or "why" do do a particular building task. A highly recommended book.

Most comprehensive book on strip building
I have just completed Mac McCarthy's Wee Lassie using this book. The amount of detail in the book answered all my questions and some of the techniques (like reinforcing the deck with thin marine plywood) was better than using carlins and stripping the deck onto the carlins. I had no trouble building the boat. I built the boat with no staples or nails. Her stapleless building technique was straight forward and easy to do. The most difficult part was beveling the inside stems. I would not bevel the entire stem at once, but bevel as I stripped. The only part of McCarthy's book worth having are the mold patterns for the canoes. This book is the one you need to actually build the canoe.

Reveiw Illustrated guie to canoe buildilg
Very good color pictures, but not always helpful. Gives a lot of different approaches and methods but leaves the choice to the reader, It is obvious, and sometimes stated, that she has no experience with some of even the morebasic ones. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Design and construction    4. Fiberglass canoes    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Laminated wood    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. Transportation    9. Wooden boats    10. Woodwork - General    11. Ship design & naval architecture    12. Woodworking   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Enemies (Persons)    5. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    6. Military - Strategy    7. Opponents    8. Programming - Systems Analysis & Design    9. Psychology    10. Psychology, Military    11. Security - General    12. Computers / Programming / Systems Analysis & Design    13. War & defence operations   

Reviews (1)

Essential reading to identify and know arrowheads.
This 223 page's book is an excellent introduction to the world ofprehistoric amerindian projectile points and arrowheads. In some very nicephotos and inscriptions you could find the "keys" to what youcollect, their relative prices, regional classification and chippingtechniques. A simple and practical relation describes the U.S. materialsused to make arrowheads and blades including all the regional types, edges,shapes, individual characteristics of each piece and instructions to takecare with them. Indispensable to begginers and advanced collectors thisbook certainly attempt the amateur archaeologist's expectation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Arrow-heads    5. Catalogs    6. Collectors and collecting    7. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    8. Firearms & Weapons    9. Projectile points    10. Reference - Price Guides   

Reviews (7)

Perfect book for ALL F-14's
I'm a former F-14 RIO (85-93), and was the FITWING Senior Flight Surgeon at NAS Oceana from 2000-2003 - I loved going through this book.I matched all the planes that I flew over the years with my log book.There were some discrepancies, but nothing major.I was involved with flying many of the aircraft to the desert in Arizone for their final resting place - And, finally, it was wonderful to be at the Final Flight and Retirement on the Beautiful Day at NAS Oceana in September.I met the author of the this book and bought a signed copy.Keep up the good work.MUGS

I would buy it only if ...
February 26/2006. For the last 7 years the Tomcat has served and excelled in different roles and big conflicts have been present in all this time. And now the Tomcat's service in the Navy is almost over. A couple of cruises I guess and that's it. Now is the perfect time to update this book. Then it would be like a Tomcat Bible.

Excellent book
There is not too much to read in the F-14 book, as it
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Subjects:  1. Directories    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - Aviation    6. Military - General    7. Military Science    8. Tomcat (Jet fighter plane)    9. Air forces & warfare    10. Military vehicles   

Reviews (3)

not so hot
more like a dictionary for electronics. doesn't really tell one how to wire your boat

Not Worth A dime
This little, with the emphasis on little, pamphlet/book, is more suited as a cash register handout or fifty cent bargain bin item, than it is to be called a book.No disrespect is intended, however you cannot glean any worthwile information or expand your knowledge through reading this.I am an extremely slow reader, and completed the book in it's entirity on a 2 hour flight with time to spare.I am looking forward to getting Nigel Calders book on boat electrical systems as I thought his two on diesel engines and refrigeration systems for boats were excellent.

In clear terms with an emphasis on practical application
Written by professional marine electrical engineer and surveyor John C. Payne, Understanding Boat Wiring is a no-nonsense technical coverage of boat wiring standards, basic electrical principles, system voltages, the nuts and bolts of installing boat wiring, how to safely ground systems and more. Written in clear terms with an emphasis on practical application, Understanding Boat Wiring is a superb reference and "user friendly" resource which is enhanced with numerous diagrams to make its instructional information especially easy-to-follow. Also very highly recommended for all boat owners and operators is John C. Payne's Understanding Boat Batteries And Battery Charging. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - Boatbuilding    2. Boating - General    3. Boats and boating    4. Electric equipment    5. Electric wiring    6. Handbooks & Manuals    7. Sailing - General    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Marine engineering    11. Sailing   

Subjects:  1. Aerial reconnaissance    2. Electronic surveillance    3. Electronics - Optoelectronics    4. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    5. Imaging Systems    6. Military Science    7. Optoelectronic Devices    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Space surveillance    10. Technology    11. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (11)

Boats with an Open Mind
The book is a good primer on different boat designs. Don't buy it expecting to build any of the boats enclosed straight from the book as it's not a "how to" book. There is a resource section in the back of the book that gives information on how to get building plans. It will shed light on the thinking that went into the designs, and from that standpoint, it will get your "creative juices flowing". Overall a good read that will open your mind to many design possibilties.

PCB's the man
This guy's boats go from traditional to... wacky, I guess you'd say.This might be his only book still in print.Too bad.I think he's got more that 600 designs and I want to see more.

Clever but Homely
I have to agree with the reviewers that find Bolger refreshing and candid as well as knowledgeable to a fault.This book is eminently readable and rereadable.There is no doubt that there are many thought provoking ideas here.There are some handsome boats here as well but frankly many are aesthetic eyesores.I have an interest in a build-it-yourself cruising sailboat in the 25-35' range and the most attractive boats here from a practical usable/buildable sense are really pretty hard to look at.On one hand Bolger complains about concessions to style suggesting that to make them you admit that you are ashamed of the boat - on another page he suggests painting a mural on the slab side of one of the larger sharpies - a concession to their huge billboard bland shape.This book is practically an icon of good sense/ideas but as a guide to a boat building/aquisition it leaves one a bit frustrated.As for the plans they are of course hard to read - like every designer the author is entitled to sell his designs (not that that is the point of the book).A failing is that the book does not give any guidance to where plans could be purchased.Even it they don't please this readers eye the bigger sharpies have to be considered! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boatbuilding    2. Boating - Boatbuilding    3. Boating - General    4. Boats and boating    5. Design and construction    6. Sailing - General    7. Ship Design And Construction    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Transportation    12. Motor / power boating & cruising    13. Sailing    14. Ship design & naval architecture    15. Ships & shipping: general interest    16. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (7)

Good Resource for Intermediate to Advanced Navigator
Excellent resource if you wish to manually navigate or if you find yourself in a situation which precludes using GPS.

Complete and compact and very terse
I bought this because it combines the functions of nautical almanac and sight reduction tables in one slender volume.It provides five years of star data, sample worksheets and lots of worked out examples.So it's a lot easier than hauling around Nautical Almanacs and 3-volume sight reduction tables.
The 1999 -2003 edition is now out of date
The information in the 1999 edition is now out of date.Buy a new one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Military Science    4. Nautical astronomy    5. Navigation    6. Navigational Astronomy    7. Sailing - Navigation    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Technology    11. Transportation    12. Boating    13. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (3)

A good choice to learn about your SKS
Although the usefulness of this book cannot be over stated for the SKS owner, it is in need of revision! With the import of the Romanian SKS variants there is a need to add to this book. Granted most of the information can be infered by reading the Russian sections, there are some differences that could benefit from a new revision. One area this book needs more of is parts compatiblity between models. Not all SKS parts are created equal, and some of the more dangerous examples cry out to be covered. For instance there are at least 4 different types of firing pins, and some of them are not interchangable.I found this book especially helpful with identification, and history of this facinating and occasionally misunderstood firearm. If you have an interest in the SKS you will not regret this purchase. I haven't!

Another must-have for the serious SKS owner
While it contains information that has been covered countless times elsewhere (weapon breakdown, cleaning, etc.) this book also contains a wealth of information I have not seen anywhere else: information on how todetermine where your SKS came from, information on the various parts andthe different versions of parts, what's interchangeable, what's not, etc. Good information on how to identify, select, and maintenance
Hihgly recommended for SKS collectors, and someone who is intersted inusing the SKS rifle.Read more

Subjects:  1. Military Science    2. Technology & Industrial Arts    3. Firearms    4. Rifle    5. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Reviews (10)

The Defintive Guide Found
After searching the internet extensively for information on the rigging of Continental cannons and carronades I got pretty much nothing. Within 1 minute of opening this book, I had everything I needed. Reviewing additional sections showed me the wealth of information I had just tapped. The internet may have the information I need, but not at one place like this book. Excellent print, excellent information and the drawings are absolutely the most concise and accurate I have seen anywhere. I hit the goldmine with this reference piece.

Very good reference & overview.
The book is really well laid-out; generally, 2 facing pages make a section, with text on the left and finely detailed drawings on the right, more detailed secions (like armament) cover several pages, but still retain the overall look. The sections cover every conceivable aspect of the ship, and most periods, with an concise description of each item and the differences over the years and between the countries. Will give you a ton of information.
This book is not a manual of help to the beginners. In fact it is an excellent summary of useful references for the most advanced modelers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Models    5. Sailing ships    6. Ships    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (10)

beautiful book to build a beautiful canoe
Coupled with Building a Strip Canoe by Gil Gilpatrick this book will explain everything you need to know to craft an absolutely beautiful canoe.This book begins with a description of canoe history and follows up with desireable characteristics of various canoe designs.While the actual process is described very well, there are some technical aspects that a person with less woodworking experience would have to search elsewhere to find an explaination.I many places the author explains the best way to do a task as well as some options for alternative construction.The method described in this book really is "fine" canoebuilding.The finishing details the author desribes are what will really set your craft ahead of all other do-it-yourself canoes on the water.Keep in mind that there are no plans for actual canoes in this book.If you are someone who is experienced in "lofting" or technical drawing maybe you can make your own plans from the specs the author gives for his boats but for most people they just expect you to buy your plans from Bear Mountain Canoe or some other design house.That aside, this is an excellent book to help in the construction of any canoe and it left me absolutely jazzed to begin my own boat.

Great but
Don't expect to get patterns to build a canoe with this book.All of the other reviews didn't tell you this.If you want to build one of the boats mentioned in the book you have to go to the authors website and purchase them seperately for another $69.If you want to build a boat with this added cost look at getting Stripper's Guide to Canoe-Building it has full size patterns.

The revised edition is even better than the original!
I am making my fourth cedarstrip, the first three (Kipawa, Mattawa, and Chestnut Prospector) following the original edition as my guide and reference manual.I ordered the new edition partly because I'd worn out the original, but even after having built three cedarstrip canoes, I found new information and ideas in the revised edition making it worthwhile.The new edition has improved and expanded information about various building tips, jigs to make the building go better, a new section on staple-less building (the style I've used for all four canoes), an expanded section on canoe repair, and a new chapter on paddle making, among other improvements.
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Subjects:  1. Boatbuilding    2. Boating - Boatbuilding    3. Canoeing    4. Canoes and canoeing    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Design and construction    7. General    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Boating    12. Canoes and canoeing - Construction    13. DIY    14. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    15. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Maintenance and repair    3. Marine canvas work    4. Sailing - General    5. Sails    6. Ship Maintenance And Repair    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - Small Boat Maintenance and repair    9. Sports    10. Transportation    11. Boating    12. DIY    13. Ships & shipping: general interest    14. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (3)

The indispensable guide to the American Destroyer guide and development
The original edition of this book came out in mid-1980s.There has been a tremendous amount of change in American destroyer design since this book was first published.Indeed, while this book is five stars it should be noted that with the new additions of the coming DDX (stealthy destroyer) and the Sea Fighter (a catamaran) that there is no way in which Dr. Friedman can keep up with the changes that are presently taking place in destroyer design and development while keeping his book current.Dr. Friedman would need a frequently updated web site to keep up with destroyer design changes.That is beyond the scope of this book.
Classic work of classic author
A comprehensive study of any aspect of design, armanent and equipment of all US destroyer's types from the beginning to present day. Most necessary for every shiplover and naval historian.

A great book for those wanting a techinical history
This book encompasses the design history of US destroyers.It provies unique details of the deisgn and construction, and eventual combatoperations of destroyers.It goes from the very first to today's highlyadvanced destroyers. It is not for the novice, but makes a valuableaddition to a maratime history library ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. Destroyers (Warships)    3. History - Military / War    4. Military - Naval    5. Military - United States    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - History    8. Transportation    9. United States    10. Maritime history    11. Ships & shipping: general interest   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Introductory Text on the Design Aspects of Missiles
This textbook is a great introduction to the design aspects of tactical missiles. Fleeman describes the various discipline-level elements associated with missile design including propulsion, guidance, structures, and the like, and then synthesizes these elements into a process for how to actually design a missile. This text is critical reading for those involved in the design of powered vehicles, which unfortunately is becoming a lost art as the workforce ages and new tactical missile development programs are few and far between.
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Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Design and construction    3. Engineering - General    4. Military Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Tactical missiles    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Ordnance, weapons technology   

Reviews (1)

Good book, lousy binding
I opened the book on my kitchen table. Looks good, with lots of details. For example, when replacing the impeller in an Alpha outdrive, there are lots of careful photos and line drawings to guide you through the process.
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Subjects:  1. Ships & Shipbuilding - Small Boat Maintenance and repair    2. Transportation   

Reviews (2)

Mathematical Methods in Defense Analyses, Third Edition
This continues to be a comprehensive text on many useful mathematical and statistical techniques with particular relevance to the modelling of Defence operations. Familiar topics include combat modelling, which isanalysed in more depth than in most other books. However, this topic likeothers in this book, suffers from explanations which are not always to thepoint or as clear as they could be. This third edition has two newchapters, one on optimisation methods with examples of the application oflinear programming The other new chapter presents the sort of `analysis'which has become prevalent in Defence; really more of a scenarioexploration, and considers in particular theatre missile defence. Possiblythe most valuable addition to this new edition is the updated `DefenseAnalysis Software', which anyone wishing to seriously use or teach thissort of material to advanced undergraduate or postgraduate students, willfind very useful. I would recommend this new edition to all people workingwith models of Defence activities and as a reasonable text for courses,although the price remains a little high.

Mathematical Methods in Defense Analyses, Third Edition
This continues to be a comprehensive text on many useful mathematical and statistical techniques with particular relevance to the modelling of Defence operations. Familiar topics include combat modelling, which isanalysed in more depth than in most other books. However, this topic likeothers in this book, suffers from explanations which are not always to thepoint or as clear as they could be. This third edition has two newchapters, one on optimisation methods with examples of the application oflinear programming The other new chapter presents the sort of `analysis'which has become prevalent in Defence; really more of a scenarioexploration, and considers in particular theatre missile defence. Possiblythe most valuable addition to this new edition is the updated `DefenseAnalysis Software', which anyone wishing to seriously use or teach thissort of material to advanced undergraduate or postgraduate students, willfind very useful. I would recommend this new edition to all people workingwith models of Defence activities and as a reasonable text for courses,although the price remains a little high. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied    2. Mathematical models    3. Military Science    4. Military art and science    5. Operations Research    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Defence strategy, planning & research    9. Mathematics for scientists & engineers    10. Military engineering    11. Theory of warfare & military science   

Reviews (1)

The Basic Marine Corp Doctrine
This small, easy to understand manual describes the basic, most fundamental function of the U.S. Marines - warfighting.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Military Science    3. Reference    4. Encyclopaedias & Reference Works    5. Military engineering    6. Reference / General