The pilot cutters that operated around the coasts of northern Europe until the First World War were amongst the most seaworthy and beautiful craft of their size ever built, while the small number that have survived have inspired yacht designers, sailors and traditional craft enthusiasts over the last hundred years.??Even in their day they possessed a charisma unlike any other working craft; their speed and close-windedness, their strength and seaworthiness, fused together into a hull and rig of particular elegance, all to guide the mariner through the rough and tortuous waters of the European seaboard, bought them an enviable reputation.??This new book is both a tribute to and a minutely researched history of these remarkable vessels. The author, perhaps the most experienced sailor of the type, describes the ships themselves, their masters and crews, and the skills they needed for the competitive and dangerous work of pilotage. He explains the differences between the craft of disparate coasts Ð of the Scilly Isles and the Bristol Channel, of northern France, and the wild coastline of Norway Ð and weaves into the history of their development the stories of the men who sailed them.??Written to complement the recent histories of pilot schooners and open boat pilotage, edited and written by the author, this book will be an essential addition to the libraries of historians and enthusiasts of traditional boats.??As seen in the Wiltshire Times.

A handbook on sailing classic boats by the 'guru of gaff-rig sailors', replete with illustrations and clear descriptions of techniques that are unique to the classic boat world.

Tom Cunliffe is a well-known British writer and sailing enthusiast who's Bristol Channel Pilot cutter Hirta is familiar to TV viewers in the UK.

A practical, hands-on manual covering the entire Day Skipper syllabus in a step-by-step learning system designed to get you straight on the water. As one of Britain's best-known instructors and writers on seamanship, Tom Cunliffe understands the concerns and anxieties of first-time skippers better than most. In this 7th edition of his highly successful manual, he provides the perfect blend of advice, instruction, inspiration and encouragement to support their growing experience at sea. Taking the RYA syllabus as a framework, The Complete Day Skipper begins with yacht handling under power, moves on to boat husbandry and sailing skills, then goes on to explore navigation, from steering clear of trouble near home to the practical use of modern electronic navigation systems. Key features include: - An at-sea, hands-on approach infused with helpful tips and common sense - A step-by-step learning system designed to get you straight on to the water - Essential, real-life navigation that wholeheartedly embraces GPS - Cunliffe's unique emphasis on fuss-free cruising This 7th edition features updated and expanded sections on navigation, weather forecasting, sails and electronic chart plotters, along with new photographs. Easy to read and down to earth, The Complete Day Skipper is a friendly hand on the shoulder for both novice skippers and more experienced sailors who choose not to venture far afield.

The historical development & practical application of this traditional rig are thoroughly covered.

Completely revised and updated to address changes in technology and safety standards, this new edition is the definitive guide to the art and science of sailing. Since the publication of the first edition in 1983, The Annapolis Book of Seamanship has set the standard by which other books on sailing are measured.

Coinciding with the centenary of Uffa's birth, this book is a collection of 50 designs and writings from five volumes written between 1934 and 1938, reflecting the best yacht designs of these years. Uffa's ideas form the basis of modern boat design such as the planing dinghy, and many of today's classes evolve from his design, eg. the Flying Fifteen, Firefly and the International 14. He also designed canoes, airborne lifeboats used in World War II and a 25-foot power launch.

"I know you'll want to read more after you finish Sailing a Serious Ocean. And be warned, you'll very likely want to sail with John, perhaps across an ocean." -- DALLAS MURPHY, AUTHOR OF ROUNDING THE HORN After sailing 300,000 miles and weathering dozens of storms in all the world's oceans, John Kretschmer has plenty of stories and advice to share. John's offshore training passages sell out a year in advance and his entertaining presentations are popular at boat shows and yacht clubs all over the English speaking world. John's talent for storytelling enchants his audience as it soaks up the lessons he learned during his oftenchallengingvoyages. Now you can take a seat next to John--at a lesser cost--and get the knowledge you need to fulfill your own dream of blue-water adventure. In Sailing a Serious Ocean, John tells you what to expect when sailing the oceans and shows how to sail safely across them. His tales of storm encounters and other examples of extreme seamanship will help you prepare for your journey and give you confidence to handle any situation—even heavy weather. Through his personal stories, John will guide you through the whole process of choosing the right boat, outfitting with the right gear,planning your route, navigating the ocean, and understanding the nuances of life at sea. Our oceans are beautiful yet unpredictable—water that is at one moment a natural mirror for the glowing sun can turn into a foamy, raging wall of fury. John knows our oceans, and he is one of the best teachers of taming and enjoying them. Before you set off across the big blue, turn to John for his inspirational stories and hard-learned advice and discover the serious sailor in you.