It probably depends on what types of boats he is interested in building.
The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction is a good book if he is
interested in using epoxy and wood to build with.
Boat Building by Howard Chapelle is a classic (though somewhat dated)
general boat building book that all boatbuilders should read.
If he likes very small boats like canoes, Tom Hill's book Ultralight
Boatbuilding describes an interesting approach.
The Nature of Boats by Gerr has lots of useful information too though it
is not really a boat building book as much as a general boat designing book.
Also Skene's Elements of Yacht Design has a lot of technical info.
Sensible Cruising Designs by L.F. Herreshoff is also a classic with many
drawings of beautiful boats in all sizes and shapes.
All should be available from Amazon (I think)


michele wrote:
I have a boyfriend who enjoys building boats very much, and I'm
interested in purchasing a nice boat building book for his upcoming
birthday. Can anybody suggest a book regarding boat building that he
would like?

I don't care about price. He already has George Beuhler's Guide to
Backyard Boat Building, so I can't buy him that. However, other
insightful suggestions would be great.

Thank you. - michele