Jim documents his experience with building wooden boats and oars. There are lots of images with Jim's comments; this is not an instruction manual. The book describes the building of (if you count the one that sank) six traditional small boats as well as hollow wooden oars, using modern tools and techniques. There is also a chapter on maintenance. This book shows how any woodworker with modest skills, a few tools, and a lot of determination and attention to detail can build a small boat that is both lovely and functional.