Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction

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EastCoastChris

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Anyone got a copy?

I'm thinking of buying one, it seems well regarded and is apparently *the* book when it comes to epoxy/ply construction. But it's quite expensive so I'd appreciate some opinions before investing. Is it as good as the hype?

I'm looking for a good book that covers boat construction with a plywood hull, both to understand my Eventide better and methods of working with epoxy.

Chris
 
Gougeon Brothers book is a bible.
It’s a very authoritative book, so having read it you’d have a thorough knowledge of working with wood and epoxy. . . from plug-making, construction through to completion. I’m not sure whether the book has been updated - my copy is looking a little old although none of the basic principals will have changed.
Many people think of Epoxy as a smart glue. Its not . . . it’s a reasonably sophisticated resin and performs best when it is used properly, and understanding that will make a lot of difference in the outcome of its use.

I'd give you my copy but its the sort of book that one wants to keep hold of. . .perhaps that tells you what you need to know.

Good luck
 
EastCoastChris said:
Anyone got a copy?

I'm thinking of buying one, it seems well regarded and is apparently *the* book when it comes to epoxy/ply construction. But it's quite expensive so I'd appreciate some opinions before investing. Is it as good as the hype?

I'm looking for a good book that covers boat construction with a plywood hull, both to understand my Eventide better and methods of working with epoxy.

Chris
Click to expand...

I have that book but most of the practical information in it is available at far less cost from WEST's other publications e. g. their free Product Guides and their book called Wooden Boat Restoration & Repair that you can now download from :

http://www.westsystem.com.au/west_system/products/publications/wooden_boat_restoration___repair
 
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Thanks - I'll give that a look first.

Although if I do spot a cheap copy I'll defnitely take Topyot's recommendation and buy it.

Chris
 
parsifal said:
Having just seen the price of the Gougeon book on Amazon I'm going to take good care of mine. Seems like a better investment than a pension fund!
Click to expand...

:D That's why I wasn't just buying it, seems like a bit too much without being able to have a look through first. Might see if I can find one at the Boat Show.

Chris
 
EastCoastChris said:
:D That's why I wasn't just buying it, seems like a bit too much without being able to have a look through first. Might see if I can find one at the Boat Show.

Chris
Click to expand...

To be honest, if all you want it for is to restore/maintain an Eventide, you will find all you need in the freebies I recommended. You can also get a lot of excellent free info from Gurit Ltd, who manufacture SP resins

http://www.gurit.com/downloads.asp?section=0001000100220026&sectionTitle=Marine+Downloads

Have you considered going on one of the 1-day course run by the WEST agent in the UK - Wessex Resins Ltd? I went on one about 10 years ago and I reckon it was well worth the money.

http://www.wessex-resins.com/West_System/training_workshops.htm
 
You could try your local library, they probably won't have it on the shelf but for a small fee they can get it via inter-library loan. At least you could have a skim read to see if it's worth buying
 
just buy it. It really is a great book. Not only does it contain a wealth of knowledge gained over many years and much experimentation, but it has beautiful pictures and is very strongly bound. It is that rare thing in a book: both coffee table enhancer and practical workshop manual. From new it has no dust jacket to worry about, just a fine cloth cover and it opens easily and stays open at whatever page you want; good for reading with rubber gloved sticky hands. It is a book I dip into for pleasure as much as anything else and it will always have a place on my book shelf.
 
Thanks everyone for the comments :D

I'll have a look and see if I can pick it up cheap at the boat show and failing that...I think I'll consider it an investment.

Chris
 
I have... and there are some others....

there are big and small boats... and methods seem to change between them...

I would also suggest becoming familiar with:

Chesapeake Light Craft boats - small sail boats and kayaks using wood...
http://www.clcboats.com/index.php

Guillemot Kayaks
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/catalog/boat_building_books/building_stripplanked_boats
(and there are more along these lines...)

Alan Vaitses - and his series of books...
http://geoffdevine.com/vaitses.html
his book ==> Covering Wooden Boats with Fiberglass
his book ==> Fiberglass Boat Repair Manual
 
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