It comes with six full size patterns from which at least nine different canoes and kayaks can be made. The introduction deals with the rationale for building your own boat.
Appendices cover cartop carriers, canoe covers, safety, maintenance and repairs.
The author estimates the project would take an amateur about 150 hours. Even mediocre craftsmanship can produce a boat superior to most factory made boats. Then he discovered it was too small for him and gave it away to a cousin. The next summer, inspired by a museum collection of Arctic artifacts, David designed and built his own version of an Eskimo baidarka, a two-cockpit kayak. It was 20 feet long and 24 inches wide, a real needle in the water.