Learn to Build a Boat

Small Boat Designs for Experienced and First-Time Boat Builders

Petrel - Launching the Prototype
Plans for the Petrel will allow you to build your own wooden kayak

Guillemot Kayaks specializes in in providing experienced and first-time boat builders the know-how to build their own kayaks and other small boats. On these pages you will find information and designs from Nick Schade the man who wrote the best selling book on kayak building.

Using the "Strip-Built" or "Stitch and Glue" methods, beginner boat builders with little or no wood working experience have successfully built a beautiful wooden kayak. All it takes is some time in the shop and a willingness to take on an exciting challenge.

The Strip-Built Sea Kayak is one of the best selling boat building books selling today. It provides clear and complete instructions to build a light-weight, high performance sea kayak.

Building Strip-Planked Boats continues in the tradition of passing on boatbuilding knowledge in an accessible and humorous manner.