photo above taken on a sailing trip to the Pictured Rock Lakeshore, Lake Superior USA.

Sailing and Boat-building Reference Books:

Learning to Sail, by Calahan. Copyright 1932. My favorite sailing reference book. Absolutely great sailing instruction book, full of timeless wisdom. Mine is a 1946 edition. Makes a great read. From an era of wooden boats and blocks, hemp rope, canvas sails, but the sailing advice is golden. Entertaining advice on the use of oil to calm seas (pump an oil slick around your boat with the pumps or via a punctured bag full of oil, etc... can't wait to try this one in Lake Michigan with all my leftover 10W-30), how to row a dinghy in a seamanlike manner, why not to use rancid butter to lubricate your mainsail mast hoops, and so on. But humorous historical bits aside, the sailing, maintenance, how to get out of trouble, and coastal navigation knowledge is useful and comes from experience.

The Arts of the Sailor, by Hervey Garrett Smith. Great small book with traditional knot, sewing, canvaswork, rope mat, and splicing directions. The wooden cleats on the SCAMP ARGO are based on his design. Copyright 1953.

Handbook of Trailor Sailing, by Burgess. A book made for Compac owners, so much useful knowledge specific to our boats and how to maximize their use! A must for Compac 16 and Compac 19 owners!

Colgate's Basic Sailing, by Colgate. Short nice reference starter on sailing.

The International Marine Book of Sailing, by Robinson. Big, modern, hardcover, comprehensive reference book on sailing. I have enjoyed it and it is a good place to go for reference on cruising, sailing, and sailboats.

the Boatbuilder's Apprentice, by Greg Rossel. Nice hardcover reference book on wooden boat building. Bought it when I decided to build the SCAMP.

American Red Cross Basic Sailing, Charles Russell 1966. My first sailing book. Simple and with good illustrations.