Building Badger: & the Benford Sailing Dory Designs

I mostly bought this book for the plan sheets included for Jay Benford's sailing dory designs. I wanted to understand some basics of the dory design, construction details and scantlings before pursuing the project further and purchasing plans. I was definitely not disappointed. The level of detail included in the book was perfect to get a good idea of the quality of the plans and the designer's attention to detail (it's excellent!). Note that this is not the book to use as a guide to build a boat. For that, use the "classics" (e.g. Gougeon, Chapelle, Buehler). There are also several detailed online blogs and vlogs on the construction of Mr. Benford's designs. Pete Hill's construction summary is helpful, but is not a construction manual. My biggest takeaway from this book are that these are incredible designs and I can't wait to start my project!

Like others, I waited for more than a year for this book to finally be published. There's something about Benford's Badger design that tugs at me. Over and over again I come back to it. It's an elegant, functional and spacious boat. There's a lot to like about it. For a while I was put off by the negative reviews here, but then I thought "What the heck, it's only $16.25 - I'm going to have a look for myself".So, having now read it, I can see that the negative reviewers have a point. This book is definitely not a detailed step-by-step guide for the first-time boat builder. Also, I agree that it doesn't have excellent color photographs. And yes, 119 of the 192 pages contain a compilation of 21 of Benford's sailing dory designs (of which 13 pages are devoted to Badger plans, many of which I have not seen before).So let me get to the point. Is this book worth $16.25? For me, it is. Why? Because Pete Hill, who built Badger, gives me a valuable personal summary in just four pages (for example, he states that it took 10,000 man hours to build Badger). Then, in 184 steps, each illustrated with a contemporary B&W home snap (taken before 1992), he writes his accompanying notes. Often these are very brief (and certainly not a detailed "how-to"), but sometimes they are more comprehensive (for example, his section about building the keel takes up five pages, and is, for me, quite an eye-opener).So rather than be harsh, I would instead say that this is not a detailed book about how to build Badger. Rather it is a general overview of the steps involved, with enough information to either put you off the idea of building a boat altogether, or reassure you that building Badger is a project that you can manage.

it is mostly about benford designs. they did cover the building of badger in great detail. after reading it, i decided building a boat is out of the question. it took them ten thousand hours to build badger.

Please note: This review was for Voyaging on Small a Income and not Building Badger. Note sure how it got crossed up.I waited for release of VOASI perhaps without expectations as to content. As a story of nuances of low budget sailing would think that purpose was well served by A. Hill. The philosophical mindset of practicality, safety and simplicity is reiterated in all applications of the Hill's sailing experience. Cost effectiveness of purchases and budgeting is also a theme with good example throughout. Food prep and storage is discussed and presented well. I too would have liked an in depth tale of the build, keel redesign and the sail design of Badger. What was presented should be considered as a light overview on these subjects perhaps. I find though, I pick this book up repeatedly from the bookshelf and reread points of interest as mental leisure. For that little bit of pleasure it well worth the money and more.

Not a lot of detail on the actual build.

It will be extremely helpful when it comes time to lay a keel.

As other reviewers have stated, this is not a how to build Badger book. One can find much more detailed building logs on the internet. If you are looking for a VERY general overview of the building process, then this is your book. The photos are so poor that I frequently had difficulty seeing what Mr. Hill was referring too. In one photo description, Mr. Hill even makes a reference to a color (all photos are black and white). I am disappointed that Tiller Publishing would produce such a book.

I plan on building the smaller version called Baby Badger. I have built two other boats so this book wasn't as useful to me. But it will probably be helpful to the first time builder.

good service, all fine

Sono poco interessato a costruire la Badger, ma amo intensamente i progetti di piccole barche economiche di Benford. Ciò che molti trovano come difetto è per me una qualità preziosa cui è dedicata oltre la metà del libro. In un mondo sempre più omogenizzato è bello scoprire il tratto di matita elegante ed un'armonia di linee che non si trova più. Peccato solo che le scale di riproduzione siano troppo piccole.

The topic is a must. Unfortunately, the quality of this book is really poor which spoils the whole picture. Benford website is enough on the plans and one could add a good boatbuilding book as an investment...

not worth it