R.D. "Pete" Culler is one of the best-known, best-respected designers and builders of traditional wooden boats. Renowned for dozens of small boat and large schooner designs and for his encyclopedic knowledge of traditional building methods and techniques, he wrote three books and numerous articles that provided a cornerstone of the wooden boat revival and inspired a generation of enthusiasts. He died in 1978. John Burke spent his youth as a neighbor of Pete Culler in Hyannis, MA, learning skills from the master craftsman and becoming a lifelong friend – ultimately becoming the heir of Culler's intellectual property. Burke has been a professional boatbuilder, a correspondent to WoodenBoat magazine, and served as vice president of the Traditional Small Craft Association. He edited Pete Culler's Boats: The Complete Design Catalog, and works as a captain for Maine State Ferries on the daily run to Vinalhaven.

• Foreword, by Peter T. VermilyaIntroduction, by John BurkeSkiffs and SchoonersPrefaceExperience Starts When You BeginBuilding the SprayBoatbuildingMaterialsToolsFlat BottomsFile BottomsLapstrakeCarvel PlankingEngines, Oars, and SailsThe Sprit RigOther Rigs, Including the KetchThe Schooner RigWater, Stoves, Anchors, Fuel, Centerboards, and CabinsPaints, Oils, and GooSailors, Old and YoungBoats, Oars, and RowingDedicationPrefaceAcknowledgmentsThe Pleasures of RowingRowing CraftOars and OarmakingOarlocks and Other Rowing GearNotes on RowingDouble-Paddle CanoesA Cruise in a Pulling BoatArticles Old Ways Work Boat-Building Used to Be... On Rowing and Boats Sand Dolly Wheelbarrow Boat What Makes Classics Real Fish Oil, Sour Milk, and Stale Beer The Mallets Cried, Hollered, Bellowed, and Chirped Natural Knees Quick and Dirty Boats Tarred Rigging and Stropped Blocks Design Commentaries Race Point Surfboat CoskataWherry Yawl for a SchoonerYawlboat for IntegrityTwo Steam LaunchesFast Outboard LaunchConcordia Towboat Gracie IiiBaltimore Clipper Schooner Lizard KingBoat Plans by R.D. Culler Index