The Exeter Alternative School
Topics for the Book "How to Build the Merry Mac"

Each chapter should be at least two type written pages, done in appropriate English, and properly referenced in a bibliography.


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Topic:  Ned McIntosh
  • Include his history with boats, family connections to boatbuilders, types of boats he built, favorite boats, things he has learned in his life of building, why he decided to help us.

  • Topic: Steps in the construction of the Merry Mac.

  • Include all steps in order, measurements, types of wood, fastenings, glue, pictures of each step, advice about what to do and what not to do, a list of vocabulary terms for the parts of our boat.

  • Topic: Wood used in the Merry Mac (and in boat building in general)

  • Include types of woods used in the Merry Mac, why each type was chosen, characteristics of each type of wood, costs, where to find the wood.  Also tell about other types of boat building woods.

  • Topic: How to paint a boat.

  • Include types of paints to use, where to find those paints, costs, how to apply paint appropriately, types of brushes touse, how to create a pleasant coloring scheme, pictures of different paint schemes for our boat, pictures of other boats with comments on their painting schemes.

  • Topic:  How to make a mast, paddle, and oars.

  • Include types of woods used in mast, paddle, and oar making; why we use these woods; how to round a square piece of wood; how to taper a mast; show alternative methods for making each piece.

  • Topic:  History of boat building in Exeter and surrounding areas.

  • Include history of ship and boat building in our area, how long it lasted, why it ended, what types of boats that were built, names of local builders, where the boatyards existed, types of boats that were used in this area.

  • Topic: Interviews with local boat builders.

  • Include at least three local builders, types of boats they build, how much money they make, how long they have been building, why they went into the field, advice they have for future builders.

  • Topic:  Boat related poetry or fiction.

  • Create poems or fiction written with a nautical theme.

  • Topic: Maritime Photo Essay

  • Include a photo essay of our building of the Merry Mac; also include photos of other nautical themes.

  • Topic: Boat Building as a Career.

  • Include where a person trains to become a boat builder, what schools teach boat building, boatbuilders with whom a person could be an apprentice, how long it takes  to learn the skills..