Clinker boats have a long history and were notably used by the Vikings. They are a romantic and traditional sight on the water. Their popularity has endured because of the elegance and strength of their construction. Today, there is a thriving interest in these boats. This new book gives practical instruction on how to build clinker boats and celebrates their proud history. Written by a passionate sailor and boat builder, it combines the joys of carpentry with the sense of accomplishment of sailing your very own craft. No previous boat-building knowledge assumed Detailed advice on designs best suited to clinker construction Step-by-step guidance to the building process Traditional and current building techniques explained Guide to rigging, finishing and maintenance AUTHOR: Martin Seymour's first boat, designed and built at the age of eight, capsized and sank in the duck pond on her maiden trials. She could not be salvaged but her builder was and was steered into an accounting career. However, when an Essex boat yard offered a shipwright's training, Martin could not refuse. Training was followed by practical experience in traditional timber construction at home and in India, South Africa and Australasia, running a training school in Polynesia and finally, a sailing school for twenty years in Tasmania before retiring to England. He was for many years an active instructor with the RYA Yacht Master scheme, and held a Commission in the Naval Reserve. As a keen student of maritime and ancient history, he continues to write on the subject, including material for yachting periodicals. ILLUSTRATIONS: 178 colour photographs *

Author Biography

Martin Seymour's first boat, designed and built at the age of eight, capsized and sank in the duck pond on her maiden trials. She could not be salvaged but her builder was and was steered into an accounting career. However, when an Essex boat yard offered a shipwright's training, Martin could not refuse. Training was followed by practical experience in traditional timber construction at home and in India, South Africa and Australasia, running a training school in Polynesia and finally, a sailing school for twenty years in Tasmania before retiring to England. He was for many years an active instructor with the RYA Yacht Master scheme, and held a Commission in the Naval Reserve. As a keen student of maritime and ancient history, he continues to write on the subject, including material for yachting periodicals.