Wooden Boats

In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard

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$25.00 US
Penguin Adult HC/TR | Penguin Books
30 per carton
On sale Apr 30, 2002 | 978-0-14-200121-9
Sales rights: US, Canada, Open Mkt
There are fewer than 10,000 wooden boats in America, but the circulation of WoodenBoat magazine exceeds 180,000. What is it about these boats that has captured the popular imagination? With his "lively blend of reportage [and] reflection" (Los Angeles Times), Michael Ruhlman sets off for a renowned boatyard in Martha's Vineyard to follow the construction of two boats-Rebecca, a 60-foot modern pleasure schooner, and Elisa Lee, a 32-foot powerboat. Filled with exquisite details and stories of the sea, this exciting exploration of a nearly forgotten craft and the colorful personalities involved will enthrall wooden boat owners as well as craftspeople of every stripe, nature enthusiasts, and fans of compelling nonfiction.
Wooden Boats - Michael Ruhlman Prologue
One: Rebecca
Two: Elisa Lee
Three: The Voyage of Tappan Zee and Beyond
Four: The Workmanship of Risk
Five: Rebecca, Elisa, and Jane Dore
Epilogue
Postscript
Acknowledgments and Sources
"Wooden Boats describes in loving detail how these vessels are made. . . . Mr. Ruhlman consistently 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

About

There are fewer than 10,000 wooden boats in America, but the circulation of WoodenBoat magazine exceeds 180,000. What is it about these boats that has captured the popular imagination? With his "lively blend of reportage [and] reflection" (Los Angeles Times), Michael Ruhlman sets off for a renowned boatyard in Martha's Vineyard to follow the construction of two boats-Rebecca, a 60-foot modern pleasure schooner, and Elisa Lee, a 32-foot powerboat. Filled with exquisite details and stories of the sea, this exciting exploration of a nearly forgotten craft and the colorful personalities involved will enthrall wooden boat owners as well as craftspeople of every stripe, nature enthusiasts, and fans of compelling nonfiction.

Table of Contents

Wooden Boats - Michael Ruhlman Prologue
One: Rebecca
Two: Elisa Lee
Three: The Voyage of Tappan Zee and Beyond
Four: The Workmanship of Risk
Five: Rebecca, Elisa, and Jane Dore
Epilogue
Postscript
Acknowledgments and Sources

Praise

"Wooden Boats describes in loving detail how these vessels are made. . . . Mr. Ruhlman consistently 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