Wooden Boats: In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard

by Michael Ruhlman

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Maritime, Nautical

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Michael Ruhlman (born 1963 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American writer. He is the author of 11 books, and is best known for his work about and in collaboration with American chefs, as well as other works of non-fiction.

Ruhlman grew up in Cleveland and was educated at University School (a private boys' day school in Cleveland) and at Duke University, graduating from the latter in 1985. He worked a series of odd jobs (including briefly at the New York Times) and traveled before returning to his hometown in 1991 to work for a local magazine.

While working at the magazine, Ruhlman wrote an article about his old high school and its new headmaster, which he expanded into his first book, Boys Themselves: A Return to Single-Sex Education (1996).

For his second book, The Making of a Chef (1997), Ruhlman enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America, completing the course, to produce a first-person account -- of the techniques, personalities, and mindsets -- of culinary education at the prestigious chef's school. The success of this book produced two follow-ups, The Soul of a Chef (2000) and The Reach of a Chef (2006).

Reviews

[Perry Vayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

The author takes you on an effortless journey inside of a community and lifestyle that most people think is long gone. But, it lives on in fine fashion in small patches here and there around the country and the world. This story is about one of those places and the people who populate it. It's a trip into the past and a look at the present. If you love old boats (like I do) or even if you have never set foot on one, this is a great read. Read this book and you will begin to understand the connection of sailors to their boats and to the sea.

[Kevin A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruhlman is a food writer, so he has a bit of the zeal of the new convert about him. Overly romantic, but still a good book. And the first boat mentioned is the restoration of an Alden Malabar Senior, the kind of sailboat my grandfather owned 1957-1968.

[Marc Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've wondered about wood, wind, and water or are curious about those who devote their lives to seemingly obscure professions by engaging in arguably archaic, but entirely gratifying crafts, this is for you. The author writes a string of vignettes, stories, histories, and biographies with occasional deep dives into the technology, economics, and ecology of trees, wood, and boat building. The beginning is a bit overly romantic for my taste, but enough of the groundwork was also laid at the beginning to provide a solid foundation for the remainder of the book.

[Tom Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a well written and well researched book. I've been reading about wooden boats for many years now and have had subscriptions to "Woodenboat" over the years. It's an adventure book, a somewhat technical treatise on boat building and a character study of some really interesting people and their lives. I enjoyed the whole book.

[Shaun Deane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Because I’ve been doing a lot of woodworking, the appeal might have been higher than for some but the story itself is well crafted and moves well. Lots of familiar names and places for a Massachusetts boy.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this tale of craftsmanship and the people behind the making of the boats. I could have used a chart of pictures telling the difference between the different kinds of boats and a glossary of terms. Still. An enjoyable read.

[Jeremiahtatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really great book. The detail pulls you in but it's pretty repetitive.

[Kendall T · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5ish ⭐️

[Joelle Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this way more interesting than I expected to. I picked it up for research for a book I'm writing but got right into it for the most part.

[Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of "dying" arts such as wooden boat building. This book follows the lives to two die-hard wooden boat builders on Marthas Vineyard, MA. They are characters themselves, surrounded by more characters. They learn the trade and they become experts at fitting a complex wooden boat together with reverence for the stresses involved in sailing the open seas and the need for perfect logs with which to form the keels, planking, etc.

The wood comes from Suriname and is picked especially for each boat. The journey of the fellow who supplies the wood and searches for the perfect sized logs from many different species of trees is a delightful side story. The hardware is not 'off the shelf" so each unique ship has unique, made to order hardware. The sails are sewn above the boatyard in a loft.

There are ups and downs in this journey as we follow Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon on their pilgrimage to build two magnificent ships. We all should find a passion that gives us such pleasure and appreciation from clients (and disappointment... customers who do not pay, a devastating fire).

A favorite scene is the description of the shop with all of its old tools and ancient equipment which are used in wooden boat building. There are only one or two newish tools used... and the floor is covered with a sketch of the dimensions of the final ship... referred to constantly. There are detailed plans, but there is an element of sorcery or "feel' that is involved in boat building... smoother here, thinner there, is that a bulge forming? The knack of planking the deck is part magic.

Loved the book.

[David Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am, unashamedly, a fan of Michael Ruhlman. I also love boats. I grew up around sailboats, several of them wood, and I appreciate power boats as well. Ruhlman, again, brings all his skills of observation, description and writing craft to Wooden Boat. Ruhlman reminds us why craft and the "old ways" are so important to us in this modern age of disposability. This book, if you care about boats and the masters of their craft, will make you both sad and glad while it makes you think about the direction our 'modern craftsmen' might have to head.

[Matt Danner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. This book is equal parts discussion of the boats themselves, the techniques for building and repair, the culture of wooden boats, and the people who make and use them. It goes into the technical parts enough to give an appreciation without becoming too deep. At times Ruhlman overly romanticized the community and the boats themselves, but those who appreciate the spiritual aspect of these boats won't mind. Overall it's an enjoyable read. I only wish there had been a few more pictures.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is two books in one. The personal stories of sailing and wooden boats are brilliantly written. However, the sections about boatbuiding are poorly described and difficult to read through. This is disappointing considering the author did not have a boatbuilding background before the book. I wished he made it more approachable for non builders, but he didn't. It would have benefited from diagrams and pictures to better illustrate what was happening.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book even though I really don't know anything about boat-building (although I certainly know more now than I did before reading the book). I was fascinated to learn about the history of interest in, and the actual process of modern-day boat building. I also was interested to learn about the people who do this work and I certainly gained an appreciation of what they do and how they do it. Another well-written book by Michael Ruhlman.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, made me wish I knew how to sail. Gave me a new respect for wooden boats. It demonstrates the beauty of the process, craft and materials of the boats. Stories of the boatbuilders are interesting. Illustrates that what you make is who you are and vice versa. What is quality and genuineness in society today?

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing look into the hard realities of making a living as an american craftsman. I only wish the "voice" of the narrator was a bit less intrusive. The real-life dramas and personalities are more than able to speak for themselves.

[Ray Savarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, interesting book. Develops a real appreciation for the many many hours required to really build a quality wooden boat, and the differences between something done by craftsment and the equivalen produced in a figerglass, mass produced mold-driven process.

[Steven Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was interesting discussion of craft and those who perform. I am somewhat familiar with wood working, boats, and sailing; yet, this book used a lot of technical jargon that made it hard to follow. Probably not the best book for you if do not have knowledge in this area.

[Rob Loflin · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting but a little technical at times.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tale of rebuilding and understanding a master's work.

[Xxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have an interest in wooden boats, this is a must read. A fascinating true story of the building of a schooner.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that not only cites David Pye's "The Nature and Art of Workmanship" but uses it as part of its thesis is alright by me.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful description of life as a wooden boat builder in modern times. My first Ruhlman book, it won't be my last.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything came together very well towards the end. Ross Gannon and Nat Benjamin are the embodiment of the raw passion inside of every craftsman.

[Ebee4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relays the passion, reward and reason behind building wooden boats through the iconic Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway on Vineyard Haven.

[phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially Zen and the Art of Boatbuilding.