Old books

General chat about boats
Stephen Hawkins
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Old books

Post by Stephen Hawkins »

I have recently aquired and read 'When Dinghies Delight' and am currently reading 'Sailing on Small Waters'.

Today, I have just ordered 'History of the National 12' and 'Marks to Starboard' from the same Author as 'When Dinghies Delight' (Robin Steavenson).

Are there any other old tombs that I should consider ordering and reading whilst I wait for the cold weather to blow by?

I had to resort to borrowing The Merlin Rocket Book from my local library....

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I will get my pipe and slippers, settle down in my favourite chair, with a hot water bottle, a nip of something to warm the cockles, and read about adventures from before I was born.
Steve Hawkins

1967 National 12 2383 "Sparkle"
Rupert
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Re: Old books

Post by Rupert »

Stephen Hawkins wrote:
Are there any other old tombs that I should consider ordering and reading whilst I wait for the cold weather to blow by?
Do you enjoy reading gravestones?
Rupert
JimC
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Re: Old books

Post by JimC »

The pre war Uffa Fox books are superb references of the era but can be viciously expensive.
His two biographies, "Joys of Life" and "More Joys of Living" are good reads, even if not that much dinghy stuff and are recent enough not to be too expensive. There are various volumes containing extracts from the pre war books.
Rupert
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Re: Old books

Post by Rupert »

Oh, in terms of books, Paul Elvstrom's Expert Dinghy Racing is an interesting period piece, as is Catamran Racing, by White and Fisher.

And "Icarus, the boat that flies", by James Grogono, if you want to know where all the speed sailing stuff comes from.
Rupert
Stephen Hawkins
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Location: The much maligned Swindon Town

Re: Old books

Post by Stephen Hawkins »

must check my speeling next time
Steve Hawkins

1967 National 12 2383 "Sparkle"
alan williams
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Location: Devon

Re: Old books

Post by alan williams »

Hi Try Winning by John Oakley. It's one of the best books available on tuning and boat trim.
Cheers Al
Mikey
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Location: Earith, Cambs. United Kingdom

Re: Old books

Post by Mikey »

Just reading - Austin 'Clarence' Farrar, An Eye for Innovation by David Chivers and published by Bosun Press. Tells the life of this remarkable dinghy & yacht designer (esp. Int 14) ,sailing experimenter & sailmaker (Seahorse sails) from pre-war to the 90's when he finally retired.
Pat
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Re: Old books

Post by Pat »

My post yesterday from Amazon was a copy of Wind Strategy by David Houghton and Fiona Campbell. Looks good so far.
Also a Haynes Manual for the Tranny van for Sandy!
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neil
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Re: Old books

Post by neil »

Pat wrote:Tranny van for Sandy!
Now that's an interesting lifestyle choice.
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roger
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Re: Old books

Post by roger »

neil wrote:
Pat wrote:Tranny van for Sandy!
Now that's an interesting lifestyle choice.
What people do in the privacy oftheir own campers is entirely up to them :D
Hornet 191 Shoestring,
Hornet 595 Demon awaiting restoration
Hornet 610 Final Fling
Hornet 353
Michael Brigg
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Location: Gosport, UK

Re: Old books

Post by Michael Brigg »

"The Art of Coarse Sailing" (by Michael Green.) is always worth a re-read.

Most of us I am sure could relate to alot of it! :oops:

If your feeling more literary, try "Typhoon" or "Youth" by Josef Conrad, and reflect that this Polish writer spoke no English until he was an adult. :shock:

Both are real insights to life as it really was at see in olden times.
Michael Brigg
roger
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Re: Old books

Post by roger »

Not sailing but Sir Francis Chichesters book about flying to Australia. Talk about seat of your pants flying. Great read and some fantastic insights into dead reckoning navigation.
How many people would set off with only enough fuel to see himself halfway and hope that your navigation was good enough to find the only island where you could land to refuel. No GPS of course.
Even rebuilt the plane after a crash and carried on.
Cant remember the name but will try to dig it out.

edit
Got it Lonely sea and sky.

Solo transatlantic sailing and solo flight to Aus.
Hornet 191 Shoestring,
Hornet 595 Demon awaiting restoration
Hornet 610 Final Fling
Hornet 353
Garry R
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Re: Old books

Post by Garry R »

NOT dinghies but John Bertrand's "Born to Win" is inspirational and a good read for anyone wanting to get an attitude to life. Superb
Pat
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Re: Old books

Post by Pat »

neil wrote:
Pat wrote:
Tranny van for Sandy!


Now that's an interesting lifestyle choice.


What people do in the privacy oftheir own campers is entirely up to them
Does that include the piano moving Roger? :D

Add to the book list Eric Twiname's Start To Win - another good read.
Rupert
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Re: Old books

Post by Rupert »

Get hold of as many Dinghy Year books as you can find, too!

Oh, and one of my favorites doesn't have anything really to do with the UK dinghy scene. It is "The Sharpie Book", by Reuel B Parker.
Rupert
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