This Month's Books

The Canoe, a Living Tradition by John Jennings

Firefly Books 2002. ISBN 1-55209-509-6. Colour, Hardcover 250 pp. $59.95 Cdn $49.95 US

The Canoe is a lavish project of the Canadian Canoe Museum which successfully achieves the goal of providing a comprehensive history of the construction and use of the birch bark canoe, Inuit and Aleut kayak, west coast dugout, and Arctic umiak. It also includes a section on canoeing in the Northeastern States and the evolution of modern recreational and racing canoes. Twelve authors, working under the editorship of John Jennings, document the legacy of these traditional watercraft and their roots in the indigenous cultures of North America. This magnificent, large format hardcover book is richly illustrated with fascinating archival and modern photographs, maps, and artwork.

Building a Birchbark Canoe by David Gidmark

Firefly Books 2002, ISBN 1- 55297-569-X, B&W, 139 pp. $19.95 Cdn.

In this well illustrated book, David Gidmark presents detailed descriptions of traditional Algonquin Canoe construction methods. He offers a overview of the evolution of bark canoes, features the construction techniques of four native builders, and includes a chapter on paddlemaking. Fascinating reading for those interested in native culture as well as those considering building a canoe.

Listening to Whales by Alexandra Morton

Be sure to pick up Alex's beautiful new book, Listening to Whales to learn more about her incredible life and the orcas she studies.

Born and raised in Connecticut, she began her career in marine mammal research in 1976 when she moved to California to work for noted dolphin researcher Dr. John C. Lilly. Since 1984 she has lived at isolated Echo Bay in the Broughton Archipelago where she studies the language and habits of the various pods of orcas that visit the area. Chapters: www.chapters.indigo.ca - Amazon: www.amazon.com

The New Kayak Shop: More Elegant Wooden Kayaks Anyone Can Build by Chris Kulczycki,

Ragged Mountain Press 2001. ISBN 0- 07-135786-6. Paperback. 208 pp $34.95 Cdn

In The New Kayak Shop paddlers will find plans and instructions for building and finishing three new stitch-and-glue designs - a touring kayak, a fast sea kayak, and a flatwater kayak - that are even more elegant, durable, and functional than their forerunners. Chris Kulczycki’s highly refined designs and simple building methods offer kayakers not only the experience of paddling an extraordinary boat but also the rare reward of having built it.

Wooden Kayak Book Reviews from Previous Issues: KayakCraft by Ted Moores

WoodenBoat Publications, 1999. ISB0-937822-56-6, softcover 171 pp, B&W $19.95 US

Ted Moores believes that professional results can be expected if good patterns are used and simple steps performed with care. In this book he describes the process of building the Endeavour 17, a popular Steve Killing design. He provides all the necessary information about design, materials, tools & techniques to ensure that a first-time builder can create a woodstrip kayak with truly professional results. Clear detailed instructions and excellent photos & diagrams.

Aleutian Kayak by Wolfgang Brinck

Ragged Mtn Press ISBN0-07-007893-9 soft-cover 170 pp. B & W, 19.95 US The Aleutian Sea Kayak tells you everything you need to know to build an authentic baidarka in your basement or garage for about $200. You don’t need extensive woodworking experience, an elaborate tool collection or exotic woods. Author Wolfgang Brinck shows that if you can use a handsaw, block plane and a drill you can build a baidarka. Here are clear, well-illustrated, step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process from buying materials, tailoring the boat to fit your body, building the frame, deck, and sewing on the skin. He also includes instructions on paddlemaking, sewing your own paddling jacket and spray skirt, repairs and using your baidarka.

Qayaq—Kayaks of Alaska and Siberia by David W. Zimmerly

University of Alaska Press ISBN 1-889963-10-0 B&W, soft cover, 103 pp. $16.95 US

In this new edition, David W. Zimmerly reviews the construction of different kayaks from various regions of Alaska, Canada and Siberia, discussing techniques, materials and the special approaches of individual craftsmen. He shows how the vessel’s design varied in response to the demands of climate, the available resources and the needs of the paddlers. He also considers associated equipment, from paddles to paddlers’ clothing. This is a succinct authoritative overview of the kayaks of Alaska, the Mackenzie River delta and Siberia containing many interesting and informative photos, maps. and drawings.

The Strip-Built Sea Kayak by Nick Schade

1998 Ragged Mountain ISBN0-07-057989-x soft-cover 191 pp. B&W

Nick Shade presents full plans and instructions for building three beautiful, sea-worthy strip-built kayaks. He includes detailed information on how hull design affects performance, tools and materials, building techniques, finishing, repairs and maintenance, safety and risk management. This book contains all the information you’ll need to build a strip sea kayak, from setting up the shop to making the paddle.

The Zen of Wooden Kayak Building by John Harris

Chesapeake Light Craft 60 minute video. $29.95 Web: www.clcboats.com

John Harris takes you step-by-step from a pile of parts to the launch of an elegant varnished Chesapeake 16 kayak. Epoxy fiberglass work and varnishing techniques are clearly demonstrated, so that the techniques can be transferred to any stitch and glue boat. Excellent information presented with engaging wit.

Knot Tying: The Basic Knots

The Basic Knots is one of three new CD-ROMs from Beutner Multimedia Software Services of Athens, Ohio, which provide excellent instruction in this essential skill. Knot Tying covers 21 of the most useful and commonly used knots by way of high quality video that is amazingly easy to follow. Gone are complicated diagrams of the printed page. Here you follow along with the sound and images of a professional instructor. There is even rope enclosed for you to use. Nothing is installed on your hard drive, it just opens up from the CD. Although designed for PC computers, we found it worked just fine on our Mac G4. Other titles include: Splicing Three Strand Line and Advanced Knotting. For more info: 740-597-1409. Web: www.beutner.com.

Blue Latitudes by Tony Horowitz

Henry Holt and Company 2002. ISBN 0-8050-6541- 5, Hardcover, 444 pp.

In Blue Latitudes, Tony Horowitz recounts his own “voyage” following Captain Cook’s epic journeys around the world. He starts out by signing on as crew for a week of shipboard life aboard a replica of Cook’s ship, the Endeavour. Then he jets to various locales, including Tahiti, Australia, Alaska, England and Hawaii, in Cook’s footsteps. It’s an interesting concept and he brings the great man’s adventures alive with quotes from the ship’s log and other historical references. But Horowitz’s own mundane exploits, accompanied by an alcoholic sidekick, make up rather too much of the book, and his account ends up being little more than a depressing tour of dissipated cultures, detracting from Cook’s real adventures.

Beyond the Cockpit by Wayne Horodowich

Wayne Horodowich, founder of the University of Sea Kayaking, has enlisted Derek Hutchinson as guest instructor on Beyond the Cockpit, the third volume of his In- Depth video series. Horodowich and Hutchinson take you through many of the techniques and progressions that Derek teaches in his one day clinics.

$39.95 US. Ph: 805- 696-6966. www.useakayak.org.