The Sailor's Handbook
NZ$39.95
The Sailor's Handbook
Edited by Halsey C. Herreshoff
Historical Significance
The Sailor's Handbook is an authoritative compendium that occupies a prestigious position in the canon of 20th-century maritime manuals. Edited by Halsey C. Herreshoff—a distinguished naval architect, America’s Cup navigator, and scion of the legendary Herreshoff yacht-building dynasty—this work transcends the utility of a standard instructional guide. It represents a multidisciplinary effort to codify the complexities of modern yachting, drawing upon the expertise of world-renowned sailors, designers, and oceanographers to create a definitive reference for the offshore mariner.
The significance of this volume lies in its rigorous technical foundation. Unlike more anecdotal cruising guides, Herreshoff’s editorial direction ensures that every subject, from hull dynamics to sail theory, is approached with the precision of a naval architect. Published during a transformative era when fiberglass construction and electronic navigation were reaching maturity, the handbook documents the state of the art in maritime technology at the close of the 20th century.
Key Maritime Themes
Naval Architecture: A technical exploration of hull forms, stability indices, and the structural integrity of modern yacht materials.
Advanced Seamanship: Comprehensive protocols for heavy-weather handling, drogues, sea anchors, and emergency shipboard management.
Hydrodynamics and Sail Trim: Scientific analysis of aerodynamic forces and the optimization of rigging for varied points of sail.
Ocean Navigation: Transitionary methodologies spanning traditional celestial navigation to the early integration of electronic positioning.
Marine Engineering and Systems: Detailed overviews of onboard electrical grids, diesel propulsion, and hydraulic systems.
Geographic Relevance
While the editorial perspective is international, the technical depth of The Sailor's Handbook has made it a staple of the New Zealand maritime community. The rigorous standards for vessel preparation and heavy-weather tactics described by Herreshoff are particularly pertinent to the Southern Hemisphere, where the prevailing conditions of the Roaring Forties and the Tasman Sea demand a high level of technical competence. For the New Zealand collector or offshore candidate, this volume serves as an essential theoretical companion to the practical requirements of local offshore category regulations.
Condition
Used hardback with vinyl cover. In good condition with some minor marks on the cover. Published in 1983. 224 Pages