Self-Steering for Sailing Craft [Hardcover]

John S. Letcher Jr. (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing Co; 1st edition (November 28, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877420424
• ISBN-13: 978-0877420422
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic sailing instructional book, April 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Self-Steering for Sailing Craft (Hardcover)

One of perhaps 20 books published in the last 35 years that is considered a true modern classic for any sailing enthusiast. It is truly a book that should be in any comprehensive personal (or organizational) reference library. This extensive book features over 250 pages of detailed (yet practical) text, illustrations, photos, and diagrams.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Engineer's Insight Into Boat Self Steering, September 22, 2009

By 

Norman G. Moore "cruising boat design enthusiast" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Self-Steering for Sailing Craft (Hardcover)

This is easily THE BEST boat engineering book I've ever read. John Letcher applies his considerable engineering knowledge and practical experience to the problem of boat self steering. He uses a systems approach to breakdown all the discrete elements that comprise an effective self steering system. He suggests a methodology of testing to develop each element in a prototype steering system before investing in more permanent materials. The reason for this is the variability in relative steering damping in each boat's design that every self steering system has to be adapted to, which also helps explain why many commercial windvane steering solutions with their "one size fits all" approach tend to work well only to windward in strong winds. He also gives several "cookbook" solutions that provide an effective design guide book, while pointing out the limitations of this approach. This book has a reputation as being the best book on sheet to tiller steering systems ever written and it deserves praise for this, but it is also the best book written for anyone that wants to design a self steering system for their boat or troubleshoot the flaws and improve the effectiveness of an existing windvane system.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Original, and Still the Best, June 29, 2008

By 

Tucson Sammy (Tucson, Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Self-Steering for Sailing Craft (Hardcover)

This is a comprehensive book on sailboat self-steering. It is divided into two parts. The first part covers the use of sails as controllers for lines that actuate the tiller. The other covers wind vane devices.

Letcher is an engineer, he also built his own twenty-foot cutter and sailed it single-handed to Hawaii, then Alaska. He offers the best of both worlds - theoretical, and hands-on. There will be terms like "chord", "foil", "lift", and "fluid dynamics", as well as a few graphs; bet there will also be narratives about seasickness before hitting the Trades, and sailing full and by to Alaska. His style is not entertaining enough to enthuse someone with no interest in the subject matter, but for the interested, it is quite exciting - imagine chatting with Michael Barrone about demographic trends over pizza and beer. Enjoy!