Wooden Boats: In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard

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Item # PB-0121X  ISBN: 014200121X




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"An intimate portrait of the passions pursued by men and women... and [the] beauty and power of the most sensuous seagoing ships ever devised by mortals."—Jon Wilson, founder and editor in chief, WoodenBoat magazine

As refined as a Stradivarius and as ruggedly powerful as an ocean vessel, wooden boats evoke a passion in those who build and sail them that far exceeds their actual worth and intended function, emerging as a magnificent metaphor for the "old and true" in our homogenized, trowaway culture.

With his "lively blend of reportage [and] reflection" (Los Angeles Times), Michael Ruhlman sets off for one renowned boatyard of Martha's Vineyard to follow the progress of two boats: Rebecca, a 60-foot modern pleasure schooner being constructed, with centuries-old techniques, to outlast any other boat today; and Elisa Lee, a 32-foot powerboat whose design was informed by the workboats of the 1930s.

Filled with exquisite details and stories of the sea, this is an exciting exploration of a nearly forgotten craft and the handful of colorful personalities that persevere while cheap plastic and fiberglass boats proliferate on the seas.

"Wooden Boats describes in loving detail how these vessels are made... Mr. Ruhlman consistenly comes through with touching lyricism."—The Wall Street Journal

"Ruhlman's deft blending of boatbuilding description and seagoing lore will satisfy even the fussiest of wooden-boat enthusiasts."—WoodenBoat magazine

Wooden Boats: In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard