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Every book by L. Francis Herreshoff has been a
classic. Every marine library needs a copy of each of them.
Perhaps more important is that information on cruising and cruising
designs especially needs emphasis today. Today of course a few
of us write and design with an orientation toward long term living
aboard and voyaging, which was not where L. Francis was coming from.
He speaks most effectively to the summer sailor for whom weekends
and an occasional few weeks of cruising are what he lives for all
year. L. Francis understood that what the majority of people
need are modest simple boats which are not a worry to sail or
maintain, and aboard which one can truly relax and be part of the
natural world around you. The bulk of this book is a series of
articles, ostensibly on building various cruising designs and with
all the plans included to do so. Actually these articles are
in many respects an attempt to explain why you should want to
build these boats and how to get out of them the best that they have
to offer. Herreshoff seems to have believed that if he could
just communicate why you would want these boats you would build or
have them built and in understanding their purpose would do a good
and loving job of it. In addition to these articles there are
quite a collection of drawings of other Herreshoff designs, many of
which also have a lot to teach us. As a designer I wish I could say that we have all built on the wisdom of Herreshoff and gone on to do more and more with beautiful modest simple cruising boats. Unfortunately the very things that he warned about so many years ago that get between people and their enjoyment of the water, are still prevalent today. However the bright light is that there are a few designers, writers, and builders who have been working to counter the trend toward large, complex, expensive yachts. The larger craft have their place, we all design some of them, and Herreshoff designed many larger yachts as well, but it bothered him as it does your reviewer today to see people think of yachting as an expensive pass time for the well to do, rather than a way of living available to everyone. This book helps people remember that boats can be simple, inexpensive, and a great source of happiness and satisfaction for those who design, build, maintain, and sail in them. (393 pages, profusely illustrated with fine drafting) (tm) $24.95 |