'Messing about' in a traditional-style small boat must rank amongst the dreams of many sailing enthuisiasts. Yet those beautifully crated vessels look like they require a lifetime of skills to produce. Not so! In this book, experienced smallboat designer and builder John Welsford provides the 'how to' and the designs for building your own pride and joy. His method of building requires only the minimum of tools (and none of them particularly specialised) the minimum of materials (and affordable ones at that), and the minimum of budgets. In the first part of the book, John explains in detail the different methods of building a boat from scratch. These pages include drawing up the plans, the characteristics of plywood (the material he chooses because of its strength and versatility) the tools, adhesives and joinery techniques used for putting the whole thing together, and those special ways of making things look right. The second part is devoted to over twenty of John's own designs, many of which have been built by amateurs and professionals throughout New Zealand and Australia.