Best Boats to Build or Buy [Paperback]

Ferenc Máté (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2002

A favorite volume from best-selling nautical author Ferenc Máté, now with an updated kit boat list.

Lovingly written and beautifully photographed, Best Boats is an evaluation of the most elegantly designed and best-built sailboats in stages—from a bare hull to a finished yacht. In addition to evaluating overall design, performance and layout, this book, like no other, analyses how and how well the boats are built.

Ranging from the ageless Herreshoff day-sailer to the ultra-light Santa Cruz flyers, the book features some of the finest works of designers such as German Frers, Chuck Paine, Bill Crealock, Doug Peterson, Lyle Hess, and others. Even more importantly, it contains interviews with legendary builders such as Tom Morris, the Cherubinis, Cecil Lange, and Tom Dreyfus.

Using the surveyed boats as examples, Máté; shows what to look for when contemplating the purchase of any sailboat. For the boatbuilder, it points out the weaknesses and strengths of all aspects of construction, using hundreds of photographs and illustrations to clarify. 304 b/w photographs and illustrations

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a book for those who are seeking something better than the mass-produced, glass-fibre production model... The text, numerous excellently reproduced photographs and ample line drawings and plans will delight any yachtsman and afford to those trying to decide which boat will suit, vast amounts of insight and understanding. Even for those who just like to read about boats, Ferenc Mate's beguiling style is reward in itself." Lloyd's List"

About the Author

Ferenc Máté is a noted photographer and the best-selling author of The Hills of Tuscany. He and his family run their vineyards and winery in Montalcino, Tuscany.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Albatross (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0920256244
• ISBN-13: 978-0920256244
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,029,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ferenc Máté was born in Hungary and escaped after the revolution at the age of eleven. He grew up in Vancouver, and has lived in California, Paris, the Bahamas and New York. He had worked on a railroad extra-gang and as a boatbuilder, photographer, deckhand and book editor. His many books include the nautical bestsellers "From a Bare Hull," "Shipshape," and "The World's Best Sailboats," as well as the acclaimed "Autumn," "A New England Autumn," "A Reasonable Life," "The Hills of Tuscany," "The Wisdom of Tuscany," and the Dugger/Nello series of high seas adventures. He and his family run their vineyards and winery in Montalcino, Tuscany.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovingly written - beautifully photographed, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Best Boats to Build or Buy (Paperback)

I love this book. It offers the author's selections of the best boats in a wide range of categories ranging from small rowing skiffs to bluewater cruisers. The emphasis in each is on quality of construction, design, and performance. Ample photographs and diagrams give a good idea of each boat's design, and the accompanying text gets you itching for the feel of salt water spray on your face.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Boats to Build or Buy, October 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Best Boats to Build or Buy (Paperback)

I would never build a sailboat. It would take too much time. But, this book makes me want to change my mind. At the very least, it give interesting insight into journeyman boatbuilding. I used to check this book out of the library about twice a year - whenever I'd get an irresistable urge to dream about sailing away into the sunset. I don't buy very many new books but I finally decided to just buy a copy of this one because I kept wanting to keep it when my check-out time was over (there was always a waiting list). Also, if you ever want to buy a boat - just pick one of the ones described in this book and you'll at least appear to know what the heck you are doing!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good technical advice., March 16, 2004

By 

Reuben Gathright "rgathright" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Boats to Build or Buy (Paperback)

Black and white illustrations give this book an older feel. I use this book as a yachtmans guide to care of a sailboat only. Purchase The World's Best Sailboats, Volume 2 if you are interested in pictures.