Customer Reviews

Hand, Reef And Steer

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. Cunliffe is a good writer, and spins a fine yarn. In _Hand, Reef, and Steer_ he does a fine job of explaining the theory of the gaff rig, and most importantly he gives a hands-on review of how to make the rig work.

To say he's written the final word, a perfect work, would be stretching things a lot. This book deals almost exclusively with East-Coast English vessels, with only minor nods to Scandinavian and American developments and variations and none to other rigs. A personal plaint is the short shrift given to the una, cat, rig. The book concentrates on the cutter rig, for very good reasons, but the cat has some special considerations which are not discussed.

Over all, I have not found any other book with as good a description of how to get the rig up and pulling.

This and the other great book on gaff rig, Leather's "Gaff Rig Handbook" seem to take turns being unobtainable. Grab both while you have the chance. Cunliffe's is the easier of the two to read, with more modern illustrations and color photographs. The text is not so dense, not so richly detailed, but don't sell it short - it contains a tremendous amount of information. Cunliffe covers all the bases, explaining why gaff rig is so incredibly practical, efficient, and safe, why it was so highly thought of, what led to its demise. He covers all aspects of sailing, sail handling, heavy weather tactics, all in a highly readable and enjoyable style. This is a user's manual for working gaff rig, one that will make you ache to be out there. Plus, hopefully, it will lead to the building or restoration of more gaff rigged sailboats, which can only make the world a better place.

If you are new to gaff rig and want to rapidly become a hopeless devotee, then get Cunliffe. Once you are a lost soul and there's no hope for you, get Leather to fill in all the detail you'll be thirsting for.

I was traying to design a gaff rig for my boat and seeking for sources which were very few about gaff rig. Then, on the "spartalk" of Brion Toss's web page, Brion has advised me this book including a couple of others indicating the Cunliffe's book as the best. About two weeks later following my order through the Amazon's web page, a sac containing the book delivered to me and it was one of the happiest days in my life. It was the first book I had on gaff rig and I used it a lot for designnig the sail plan and rigging of my boat. It does not only provide the gaf rig details on the running and standing rigging, spars and sails, it also gives many valuable technics on how to handle a gaff rigged boat. I can only criticise that the book is mainly depended on cutter though the other sail plans are briefly given and even about cutter, alternatives arrangements are not discussed. On the other hand, given drawings are very well prepared and very detailed. I can advice this book to every one who seek information about gaff rig and sailing with a gaff rigged boat. But if you have to invest only one book you may find more variable information on Letter's Gaff Rig Hand Book.

One of the best among the few books available in the subject. Strongly recommended for the yacht builder who is considering gaff rigged yachts for their production.

Together with Gaff Rig by John Leather is a must in your reference library.

Clear and simple to follow and a helpful guide to convert the exsisting bermudian rig to a Gaff rig.

A. Plottier Plottier Steel Yacht Constructions

Tom Cunliffe has written a wonderful book, and I always have a hard time deciding if this is the ultimate resource on the gaff rig, or if another author's]Handbook should take that honor. I have both, and find them very valuable. If you are restoring or building a boat with a gaff rig, you probably will want to get both too. The review I wrote for my boat building site... said:

"At first glance, there seems to be a lot of historical information on boats using the gaff rig, but what Cunliffe has done is describe nearly every imaginable type of craft using a gaff rig. Then, selecting the gaff cutter, he continues on to describe the rigging details of every aspect of that sail plan. Because the cutter has every rigging feature the other types have, you immediately identify those rigging features you need to consider. Its a unique and very readable way of introducing details that otherwise might be dry and frankly, boring, if included again and again in every chapter on a specific type of boat. Cunliffe also includes other information: sail trimming and sailing tips, etc., all with a dose of humor."

At the time I wrote that, Hand Reef and Steer was between printings. I'm pleased to see that it is again available. Highly recommended!

A great resource for the person who owns or dreams about owning a Gaff Rigg Cutter. The book details rigging and nomenclature,and charectoristics of sailing gaff riggs.

This book has more information for gaff-rig sailors and builders than other books half of it's size.

My book arrived in excellent condition and in a timely manner.