I'd like to recommend another book--it is _Blueberry_ by David D.
Hume. It was published by J. N. Townsend Publishing, 12 Greenleaf
Drive, Exeter, NH 03833.
It is Hume's description of his designing and building _Blueberry_, a
24 ft traditiional cutter (except for being shoal draft) built of
plywood. Not being a boatbuilder or designer (he was and Is the
headmaster of a private school) he contracted with Philip Bolger to
check the design for sailing ability and practicality and make
suggestions for improvement.
Once Bolger gave his approval he built the boat, and sailed it. The
book includes part of his correspondence with Bolger about the design
and a description of his building the boat. The book ends with a
cruise that he made in _Blueberry_.
The book isn't particularly dramatic or exciting. It is a quiet,
enjoyable tale of a man who figured out what he wanted his boat to be
like, designed it, built it, and sailed it. I enjoyed it a great
deal.
I am recommending it because I just received a catalog from Townsend
Publishing and found that _Blueberry_ is not listed. I called to
order another book and asked about _Blueberry_ and was told that it
was out of print, but that they had a couple of dozen copies left.
The lady said that she thought that the price is $22.50, or close, and
that I should put Townsend's toll free number, 1-800-333-9883 in my
posting on the potter web in case anyone is interested.
It grinds me that the book is only available at list price, but I'm
afraid that it is so. Townsend is a small company, dealing mostly in
books about "Pets, Wildlife, Nature, Travel & Country Living"
according to the catalog, and probably does not make big press runs.
If anyone decides to follow this up, I hope that you enjoy the book as
much as I did.
Regards
Tom Grimes
P-14 #363 Far Horizon
Muncie, Indiana