Bosun’s Bag: A treasury of practical wisdom for the traditional boater
by Tom Cunliffe.
A perfect mix of Tom Cunliffe’s lifetime experience in traditional, wooden boats recorded in prose allied to Martyn Mackrill’s assured, exquisitely drawn and painted illustrations. Divided into seven sections: Sails, Rigging, Working the Ship, Navigation, Miscellaneous, Maintenance and Seamanship. Tom’s writing style is conversational and when reading his prose you soon imagine yourself in an oil lamp lit, solid-fuel-stove heated saloon listening to him hold forth with what he calls ‘a bottle of the right stuff’ between you.
Pilot Cutters Under Sail: Pilots and Pilotage in Britain and Northern Europe
by Tom Cunliffe.
The pilot cutters that operated around the coasts of northern Europe until the First World War were among 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, close-windedness, strength and seaworthiness fused together into a hull and rig of particular elegance – all in order to guide the mariner through the rough and tortuous waters of the European seaboard, bringing them an enviable reputation.
‘Sira – One Boat, Two Kings’
by Mikkel Thommessen
The Norwegian 8 Metre Sira was built in 1938 to win the Kattegat Cup. She did that a total of six times – three of them with King Olav at the helm. King Harald took over Sira in 2006 and actively sailed the boat until 2022
Tim Street has written the story of the Sixes
Since 1907 the Metre Boats have both fascinated and challenged the very best designers of each age to produce boats for the very best helmsmen and crews to compete in the most prestigious international events. As a development class, the Six Metres have been the test-bed for innovative designs embracing new materials and technologies, all within the constraints of a rule that is more than 100 years old and stood the test of time. This book tells their story and introduces the characters that have driven competition and preserved these beautiful boats, lavishly illustrated with contemporary images of surviving boats. Appendix of all known boats built and a note from Ian Howlett about the origins of the Rule.
Tim Street has been the leading light in the class for many years. A past-President, he was responsible for the resurgence of interest in the class, tracking down lost boats and encouraging restorations and competition. No-one knows more about these boats than Tim. He has owned and restored several boats himself and instigated the concept of separate “Classics” divisions which has since been widely adopted elsewhere.
