I Have Just Solved The “what do you want for xmas” Problem For You.

Morning woodys – Sorry no classic boat today, I had a story lined up & then last night I started to read a copy of the latest woody boat book to be published – its called ‘Thoughts On Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction’ by Peter Peal. The editor is Baden Pascoe & the book design is by Steve Horsley.

Without a doubt this is the most interesting woody book I have started to read, now I say started to, because after a quick power skim I decided it was too good to read at home – it’s a on the boat read. If you have any interest in wooden boats & the Kiwi boat building scene this is a must have.

To quote Chris McMullen who penned the forward – “this book is more than ‘just another book’ about how to build one of these boats the quick & easy way with the aid of modern glue – it is a book that takes you back in time & puts you in the mode of becoming an artisan who uses the characteristics of wood to his benefit. This lies at the heart of the boat-builders art & is something of which New Zealanders can be proud”.

WIN A Copy: all woodys that correctly answer the question below will go into the draw to win a copy of the book. Entries must be emailed to me (address below). The draw will take place on or near 10pm 28/11/2016. Winners name will be published in Tuesdays ww post. waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Q: What was the class of yacht first built by Peter Peal for his own use?

REMEMBER ENTRY IS VIA EMAIL ONLY – If you post your answer on ww, you tell everyone the answer, that’s if its right 😉

Below is a review of the book by the editor Baden Pascoe.

Book Review:

Thoughts on Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction – By Peter Peal, editor Baden Pascoe, book design Steve Horsley.

There are a few good books on this subject from various authors around the world. As materials and power tools have progressed so has the content of these books explaining how to go about building a clinker / lapstrake boat that one can still call it “a wooden boat”. And to add to this the term a wooden boat is now more associated with art form and a thing you own because of the experiences, stories and history attached to it. Recent books on this subject all use the upside down method of construction and the use of high tech adhesives with super gap filling abilities. A good example is Ian Outhtred’s “Clinker Plywood Boat Building Manual” this book is in a class of its own and the results are stunning.

Here in New Zealand we have Peter Peal’s book hot off the press. From the outset he has set out to offer the reader and potential builder more than just an outcome. In the first section of the book he takes you back in time to the late 1930’s via a story line were you can almost feel the day to day atmosphere of the Percy Vos boat yard. A time when young men were immersed in knowledge and exposed to an experience were they got to know what a nice shear line or lay of a plank should to look like. A place where they learnt to touch a piece of timber and instantly know it’s capably of strength and durability. Working with wood was what they loved to do and they played with the results of their work during their weekends sailing, rowing and steaming their floating works of art that were so kind on the eye. The method used to build these boats without the aid of moulds or temporary frames made the task even more challenging but once mastered it elevated these young men to go on to be the legends of our marine industry that are now the cornerstones of the world class marine industry we now have.

The second part of his book his based on much the same principles as in the first section but ply planking can be employed instead of timber. Laminates can be used instead of natural crocks and to make it easier and moulds or temporary frames are recommended to control exact shape. May I remind you as I have been reminded by the few men left standing today who were taught this method, men who regularly built these boats without moulds could build more boats to near exact shape, something not recommended to the one off enthusiast builder. During the process the builder can experience all the aspects and challenges of the artisans of yester year.

In the third section Peter offers three of his designs with full lines off sets and construction drawings. Boat 1 being a traditional launch or yacht tender, boat 2 a small rowing or pulling boat and boat 3 a clinker large enough to be a small out board run-a-bout. He also recommends designing your own boat.

Section four is a short glossary of the terms and slang used in the Auckland boat yards during his time in the trade. This is something very special and possibly unique to the Auckland area.

Yes, there are many fine tradesmen in Auckland and around the New Zealand coastline who have built what I would be proud enough to say, some of the best clinker boats in the world, but very few of them could explain how this is done via the detailed sketches and drawings from Peters very own pencil. Peter never held knowledge close to his chest, his first love was the parting of knowledge and this fact is reinforced in the forward written by one of his early students, Chris McMullen. This book is a life time treasure and a reminder of Peter’s values and high standards.

A huge thanks to a wonderful man who I have worked with to produce ‘Thoughts on Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction”.

Sadly Peter passed way this year aged 95 – this book is a perfect testament to the man & his trade. – Enjoy

Note: This book is a very limited edition. It is at this time not available in bookshops.

Retail $60 + $7 post and packaging

For orders. Email Chris Peal: chrispeal8@gmail.com

Bank Account no: 01-0210-0030056-47   please include your name as reference.

NOTE: bank a/c number is now correct.