Harold “Dynamite” Payson was a lobsterman off his native Maine coast for many years before becoming a full-time boatbuilder; the sea and his shop have kindled in him a fond respect for the simplest, most direct course to one’s desired destination. This philosophy he has imparted in two previous books, Instant Boats and Go Build Your Own Boat!, and in many articles for National Fisherman, WoodenBoat, and Small Boat Journal.

Harold H. “Dynamite” Payson is a professional boatbuilder who specializes in light plywood construction, though in the past he build traditional plank-on-frame craft. Most of his boats-among them the famed Gloucester Light Dory and the Instant Boat series-are from the board of Philip C. Bolger. Many of the prototypes of Bolger’s small boats have been built by Payson as part of their continuing association. Dynamite is a retired lobster fisherman, a saw sharpener, and the proprietor of H.H.Payson & Co., which offers boatbuilding plans for sale to the average boatbuilder. He is the author of Instant Boats, How to Build the Gloucester Light Dory, Go Build Your Own Boat!, Build the New Instant Boats, and a number of magazine articles. He lives and works in South Thomaston, Maine.