The title tells it all. At 1232 pages his book is not just complete — it is authoritative. The Dashews have designed and built boats as well as sailed them extensively. And they have spent years pulling everything together in this one book.
Chock full of information that is just not available elsewhere. The Dashews have "been there and done that" and they are able to convey what they know with wit and charm. Representative chapters: watchkeeping, navigation, closing with shore, boat handling, prepartion, anchoring, storm tactics and more.
This book is for those who want to know how to build their own sails -- nothing is held back. The primary focus here is on Bermuda mainsthe triangular sails that are most common on modern sailboats as mainsails and mizzen sails.
Written for those who want to understand and "do" sailmaking. Storm foresails, trysails, and Swedish mainsails are fully described and explained here. One of the most important characteristics of these sails is sturdy construction and the instructions in this manual focus upon that goal.
Spinnakersrunning, reaching, storm and cruising plus spankers and bloopers are considered here. Instructions are provided for the primary cuts, radial, triradial and star.
Jim Grant tells all -- all about building working jibs, traditional staysails, genoas, topsails, mule jibs, drifters and reachers. Nothing is held back with the lame excuse that sailmakiing should be left to professionals.
This is a book for those who want to be self-sufficient. With the aid of this book you can repair your own sails at sea and at home. There is a full treatment of hand stitching techniques and a section on the use of a home sewing machine including proper adjustment and tips for sewing heavy sail cloth.
A manual for those who want to know how to build sails. The "staysails" of concern here are the special purpose sails used on modern sloops to increase performance in light and medium air while reaching or running. They are set flying on the foredeck between the main and a headsail.
This is a good book on traditional sail design, construction, repair and improvement. It is full of techniques and tips that have hitherto been available only to those who are willing to apprentice themselves to a loft. It also covers rigs and sail types. There are some skills that can only be learned by actually doing them, but this book serves as an excellent foundation.