Exploring the world's mysteries of from the deck of a small sailboat propelled by the wind under the influence of your own wits and skills, is the most magnificent of personal accomplishments. Amateur ocean sailing developed during the first half of the 20th century and reached its peak during the two decades after WWII. Then, mass-produced and marketed boats subtly undercut the bond between the sailor and his boat. The sport lost its meaning.


Wooden Boats for Blue Water Sailors explores the quiet counter-revolution to mass-production boats--enabled by cold-molding and the epoxy bonding of wood--which has presented an opportunity for sailors to re-bond with their craft.


Wooden Boats for Blue Water Sailors begins with a history of ocean sailing. Then it delves into the sciences of material and structure to demonstrate the advantages of wood as a boat building material. It climaxes with the description of a new way for building wood boats that are beautiful, performing and long lasting. An afterword describes use of the new technique to restore traditionally built wood boats that are failing, yet too precious to abandon.


For sailors, Wooden Boats for Blue Water Sailors is a celebration of their quest. For builders, Wooden Boats for Blue Water Sailors offers new techniques for economically building ocean going boats. For designers, Wooden Boats for Blue Water Sailors offers inspiration to remember, reflect and refine their designs to meet requirements of the sea overlooked in the rush to modernity.


For the craftsman, the short appendix concerning use of the tape measure, by itself, will earn for them the cost of the book.


Wooden Boats for Blue Water Sailors will delight and inform the sailor, the boat builder, the yacht designer; and bring joy to those who love beautiful sailboats.