Buehler's Backyard Boatbuilding for the 21st Century

I've read this book so many times I can now quote, verbatim, many of the passages within. When I first read it, I didn't think that would be the case. I have never owned a boat, nor have I ever built a boat. I am an advanced amateur woodworker but no real nautical experience. I won't bore you with the details but I became interested in building a large cruising boat and this is one of the first book Amazon recommended.I did'nt make it through my first read of the book. I didn't understand half of what he was talking about and the scope of the project seemed out of my reach. After more research online I picked the book up again and most things made perfect sense, I was hooked. Although the book includes plans for various boats they are not complete. You could certainly build from them but you would have to figure out quite a bit on your own which I don't think an amateur could do. So I contacted the author and discussed a few designs The Troller Yacht Book: How to Cross Oceans Without Getting Wet or Going Broke - 2nd Edition  via email. I ended up purchasing plans for the 41' Diesel Duck. You can read more about that concept in his other book, " The Troller Yacht Book". This led us to building a 45' long bow roof shed and to establish the Sea Dreamer Project to document the process of building a large cruising boat at home.As far as the book goes, Mr Buehler is very frank and blunt with his opinions. He has an approachable writing style and believes in robust simplicity for his designs. This common sense approach that focuses on function, strength and durability clearly demonstrates how most other modern designs are better suited to the marina than open water. He has gained a cult following in his approach to boat design and building. He believes, and after reading you will believe to, that any reasonably handy person is capable of building a blue water cruiser. This type of talk is near heresy in boating circles, as wooden boat building to the traditionalist is supposed to be reserved for the skilled few.The cost of a modest to large size production cruising boats is generally out of reach of the average person. Backyard Boat Building shows how building your own wooden boat brings that dream within reach of the masses. If you are at all serious about building your very own home on the water, this is an excellent resource to start with. It will not answer all your questions but you will learn where and how to start. If you decide to move forward with Mr. Buehler you'll find he is very responsive and patient with the amateur home builder.I'll include a few shots from our build at the Sea Dreamer Project.

I bought George Buehler's 1st edition years ago when I was building a Glen-L Minuet. I hoped to build a much bigger cruiser next. However the 2008 recession squelched that for me. About that time, I saw and toured "Rover" in Superior Wisconsin. It was a Buehler designed 43ft on deck schooner. I fell in love with it and to this day I think it is his sexiest sailing design. It was one of the free plans in that 1st book. His second edition has different free plans with everything you need to layout and build. He based most of his designs on full keel strong sea worthy work boats, not the modern plastic yachts we see today, and with the amature builder in mind. Many designs are for those with small budgets but still wanting a boat they can cross oceans in safely. But, note some of these are very big projects. There is great chapters on his building philosophy choosing materials, build in wood or metal, lofting the plans etc. He offers sail and powerboat designs. Definitely buy this book but you might also want to pick up the 1st. one too if you really caught the itch to build one. Also check out his website.Unfortunately George Buehler has sailed on. He passed away in Feb. 2018 so he won't be around for advice if you buy a set of plans off his web, but there are so many people who have built or are building his designs that any questions will surely be answered.

If you're not reading George Buehler's book on DIY boatbuilding you are doing yourself a disservice. I've read several in preparation to build a liveaboard cruising boat for my family and me. Mr. Buehler's the clearest written. AND contains full plans for several boats are included. That alone pays for the book.

George Buehler is a weird combination of traditionalist and iconoclast in his ideas and methods. I love his vision of form and function in boats. If you want to build a largish wooden boat yourself, have basic carpentry skills, and can take some of his ideas with a grain of salt, this book can definitely get you started. Personally I would not contemplate trying to build a boat using just the plans in this book - buy some real plans (and Mr. Buehler sells some good ones), but with a set of plans in hand, this book provides a serviceable "how to" manual.

Comprehensive detailed instructions on building an economical boat.

This guy knew his stuff. This is an excellent book on building a yacht quickly and cheaply.

This is a great book. I've owned the first edition for years. Wanted to see what was updated and study plans for one of the newly added boats in the plans.What's up with the piss poor printing for the plans in the back? Could not make out the numbers.Going to return and get the kindle edition. I really love this book and would have given it 5 stars had it not been for the badly printed pages

As always, George writes with clarity, purpose and practicality and no nonsense. This is a must have if you are even thinking about building or rescuing or just maintaining a traditional wood boat. Even if you go in a different direction, you are bound to get some good ideas that will help you get underway safely and without going broke. The inclusion of full plans and offsets for the 38' Duck and some other great boats make the book a steal.

Very informative and entertaining, from an experienced (and opinionated!) author. This book gives good, practical advice for anyone who wants to build a boat. It cuts through some of the pomposity surrounding 'yacht-building', and should help a reasonably-skilled amateur to build a seaworthy craft.

Get this wonderful book, it's worth it a thousand times over.

Very happy

A very useful book and a great read to boot. After reading it, I felt confident that I could actually build a wooden boat that would sail the high seas. Now, there is not many books you read, that you could say that about !

drawings could be more clearly reproduced