Shipshape: The Art of Sailboat Maintenance [Paperback]

Ferenc Máté (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 1996

Shipshape is the complete, step-by-step manual of sailboat maintenance.

In forty-six chapters, Ferenc Mate covers every aspect of sailboat maintenance, from launching a new boat, varnishing and oiling, and tuning the rigging, to maintaining the bilge pumps, heads and galley stoves, checking and repairing wood and fiberglass hulls. As well as drawing on his own many years of boatbuilding and sailing experience, Mate, author of From a Bare Hull, The Finely Fitted Yacht, Best Boats and The World's Best Sailboats, also consulted many manufacturers and boatyard experts. The detailed practical advice from experts like North Sails (on sail care), Edson (on steering gear), Interlux Paints (on polyurethanes), British Seagull (on outboard engines), and Concordia Yacht Yard (on wooden boat maintenance) makes Shipshape an indispensable guide to keeping your sailboat in safe and bristol condition-as well as a genuine pleasure to read. 230 b/w illustrations

Editorial Reviews

Review

Shipshape is the best general maintenance book we've seen, certainly the first one we've enjoyed. Get this book. It will save you time and money. And you'll enjoy it too. -- Roger Taylor, International Marine

Masterful, straightforward, breezy, and readable... -- Sail Magazine

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: 416 pages
• Publisher: Albatross (October 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0920256333
• ISBN-13: 978-0920256336
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,136,282 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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What sailboat owners need to know!, January 2, 2000

By 

Henry Segalas (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shipshape: The Art of Sailboat Maintenance (Hardcover)

A persistent problem with my new 'old' boat had me asking around the marina how to solve the problem. My neighbor handed me Ferenc Mate's "Shipshape" and I read it cover-to-cover in three nights. In this book I found chapters of useful information that every sailboat owner needs to know. Mate takes the reader step-by-step through the process of owning and maintaining a sailboat. Starting with the value of a 'proper' survey, you are immersed into the ins and outs of proper craft maintenance. Mate is both direct and irreverent in his topics and the corresponding suggestions. Labeling the inept solutions as something 'Elmer' would do, he takes gacious shots at marina queens and the owners we've all seen and known. While his style may grow tiresome (my sole reason for four of five stars), Mate finds the 'mark' and details the solution. I would consider this book a 'must have' for any sailors reference library, and you will too. Now stop reading this review and get the book Elmer!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good information and enjoyable reading, March 14, 2007

By 

Anthony D. Pizzuti (Kemah, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shipshape: The Art of Sailboat Maintenance (Paperback)

"Shipshape" is a common sense approach to to sailboat maintenance. It's written clearly and with a sense of humor that makes the reading easier.

4.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive, but slightly dated book, August 31, 2009

By 

Keith D. Brilhart (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shipshape: The Art of Sailboat Maintenance (Paperback)

I used to have a copy of this, but donated it after years with no boat. My recent purchase of a vintage boat made me wish I had my copy in hand, so I purchased it anew. This addresses every area of the boat and my only misgiving is that it isn't up-to-date with all the newer technologies for wood preservation, lighting, etc. That is a very small shortcoming, however.