Yachting

Airborne (A Voyage West to East Across the Atlantic) – William Buckley – First edition 1976

A first edition of a sentimental journey, published by Macmillan, New York in 1976.

Octavo, 252 pages, end paper maps and heavily illustrated from photographs taken on the voyage.

Buckley was a media celebrity being a multi published author, editor of the National Review and host of Firing Line.

His west east crossing of the Atlantic was a dream of many years. A charming, detailed account from Miami, to Bermuda across to the Azores an on to Marbella. An honest account of emotions and behaviour along the way.

First edition west – east across the Atlantic

$25.00

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The Southseaman – Life-story of a Schooner – Weston Martyr

A later edition, 1949 of a book first issued in the 1920’s. Published by Blackwood, Edinburgh and London.

Octavo, 327 with frontispiece of the yacht and illustrations, mainly technical sketches throughout. Very good condition albeit some nibbling to the dust jacket crease … rare to still have the jacket though.

Joseph Weston Martyr (1885-1966) was some character. This is his first book about the design and building of a schooner yacht in the fishing port of Shelbourne Nova Scotia. The description of which should please any yachting tragic. Later in the book he sails for Bermuda and the vessel eventually is involved in rum-running … the times.

Martyr had an interesting life … ran a shipping business in New York, mined in South Africa and adventures in China and the South Pacific. He sailed in the Bermuda yacht races which inspired him to create the challenging Fastnet Race off the south west coat of England.

Martyr’s first book a bit of a classic.

$30.00

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Innocent Aboard – Chay and Maureen Blyth – First Edition 1970

First edition published by the Nautical Publishing Company 1970. Octavo, 196 pages all in very good condition.

Chay Blyth’s first serious sailing expedition, setting off from England he was soon lost … and then got his bearings and sea legs. On south he sailed. Through the Canaries, Cape Verde Islands and to the far south and Tristan da Cunha before South Africa.

His boat was a small family cruiser, so his aspiration to cross and make the Horn had to be curtailed. Confident, he cabled his wife to join him for the return voyage … which she did.

His story won over Sir Alec Rose who provided a very supportive foreword.

Chay Blyth – first voyage and quite an adventure

$25.00

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A White Boat from England – George Millar 1951

A first edition published by Heinemann, London in 1951. Octavo, 308 pages nicely illustrated and with several maps.

George Millar had already sailed the Mediterranean in the thirty-ton ketch Truant. Here in a new vessel, a sixteen-ton sloop Serica they take a leisurely sail down and around the coast of Portugal and Spain.

What might seem like an easy passage turns into a challenge; a near miss and then run down by a fishing boat. Later illness and injury puts them in danger, before coming across Riviera smugglers and the opportunity to save another man’s life of Cap Ferrat.

It’s not all easy going in the Mediterranean … but there are some luxuries for sure.

$25.00

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The Sea Lark – Thomas Helm – First Edition 1957

A first edition published by George Harrap, London in 1957. Octavo, 222 pages, with end paper maps and illustrations from photographs taken during the voyages. Still has the scarce dust jacket albeit a bit chipped and repaired to top of spine. Otherwise a pretty good clean copy.

Helm, ex US navy, set off with his mate, Ed Booth into the Caribbean and Central America in the 47 foot schooner Sea Lark. Adventures ensue and not just at sea hence the image of a jaguar on a sailing book.

Written in a an usual story telling style … makes it quiet a treat.

Caribbean sailing Adventures with variety

$25.00

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Yacht Sails – Their Care and Handling – Ernest Ratsey and W.H. de Fontaine – First edition 1948

A first edition 1948 published by Norton of New York with an sticker for Putnam, London below.

Octavo, 258 pages, with 12 plates from photographs and circa 110 technical diagrams. Dust jacket with a tape strip along top and bottom, internally clean, a good copy.

Described as … A book of useful information for the yachtsman interested in getting the most from his sails – including chapters by Roderick Stephens Jnr on handling head sails and parachute spinnakers.

Other chapters include … recent developments in yacht rigs; light sails – the genoa jib; passage sails and storm canvas; sailcloth and sail making; care and repair; rope and rope work; finding the area and centre of effort; familiar yacht rigs etc

A Sailmakers book on Sails and Rigging

$25.00

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Airborne (A Voyage West to East Across the Atlantic) – William Buckley – First edition 1976

The Southseaman – Life-story of a Schooner – Weston Martyr

Innocent Aboard – Chay and Maureen Blyth – First Edition 1970

A White Boat from England – George Millar 1951

The Sea Lark – Thomas Helm – First Edition 1957

Yacht Sails – Their Care and Handling – Ernest Ratsey and W.H. de Fontaine – First edition 1948

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