Naval architect Gerr, author of “Propeller Handbook” and “The Nature of Boats”, has created this in-depth but plain-English discussion of boatbuilding materials, methods, and practices that will guide you through all aspects of boat construction. This is an easy-to-use system of rules-of-thumb for calculating the necessary dimensions, or scantlings, of hulls, decks, and other boat parts, whether built of fiberglass, wood, wood-epoxy, steel, or aluminum. It includes the formulas, tables, illustrations, and charts needed to judge how heavy each piece of your boat should be in order to last and be safe.