Good Reading

“Yachtsman who are content in merely sailing a boat are few in number compared to those who find pleasure in designing, building, altering or “improving” their craft.”

That sentence could be the introduction to this forum. But it’s the first line in a great book, Howard I Chapelle’s, Yacht Designing and Planning For Yachtsman, Students and Amateurs. I’m half way through my first read and I’m struck how different it is from Elements of Yacht Design, by Norman L Skene. Both books cover the same material in detail. It seems Skene’s book was written to show the world how much he knew, with an almost poetic style. Chapelle’s has a more text book feel, but you get the sense of his need to pass on what he knows. I would recommend both to anyone interested in small boat design. I'll not pretend to understand all that these books offer, but I continue to learn.

Gary

 

you started a good thread here Gary, thanks!
and the story is o so true, why or what drives us boaters crazy, is it love?
i'll check amazon books and try to get them!

yip

 

If you read those two books, now you MUST read "The Common Sense of Yacht Design" by Francis Herreshoff.

 

Gonzo,

I have been keeping my eyes open for a copy.

Gary

 

Out of Print for a long time

Common Sense is a very cool book. Actually two books. Not great for modern, real life design work, but very interesting stuff.

You can find Vol. I and II in one hardcover edition by doing a web search. There are a few second-hand booksellers who have copies available for US$200 - $300 range.

I had a copy, borrowed from someone, that I recently returned after about 15 years. It had been living at the bottom of a box of books for most of that time.

 

Paul,

I do the search now and again. I have found copies as cheap as $50 with mildew. I want to read it not smell it. We even tried to get a reprinter to run some off. I’ll have to ask the guy what is happening with it. I think he was checking out the rights.

Thanks again for the books
Gary

 

My old boss at Tiller Publishing has the publishing rights to Common Sense of Yacht Design. He is hoping to get it re-published sometime in the future. If you are interested in it, stop by his website at www.tillerbooks.com and send him an email asking for it. Maybe if enough people write, it will move the project along faster! For the record, I want a copy for myself!