The Arts of the Sailor: Knotting, Splicing and Ropework (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Perfect shipboard reference, packed with useful "hands-on" information, covers sailor’s tools, basic knots and useful hitches, handsewing and canvas work and dozens of other topics important to safe, economic and efficient boat maintenance. Over 100 illustrations enhance delightful narrative.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486264408
• ISBN-13: 978-0486264400
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,063 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

This book is a great introduction to all the arts and projects of seamen around the world. The author provides history as well as directions for each of the projects he presents.

Topics included in this book are knotting and rope-work (everything from functional to decorative); seamsmanship (for garments as well as heavier items like sails); leather working; and many others.

This book is a must for anyone bound on a sailing journey or for those just interested in the crafts practiced to fill time aboard ship.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Arts of the Sailor: Knotting, Splicing and Ropework, October 14, 2002

By	James Conques "jcon23" (Monroe, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Good informative book in the areas of knotting and ropework but lacks information on splicing weaves. Only shows how to splice twists. Halyards on my boat are weaves as are on most sailboats and therefore I'll have to obtain this information elsewhere.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for new and old traditional sailors., March 15, 2007

By	Charlie™ (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is another excellent piece by the late Hervey Garrett Smith. It's sort of a companion to "The Marlinspike Sailor" (ibid), though it is somewhat more expansive on many fundamental topics like knots, bends, whippings and seizings. There is a good bit of overlap between the two books, although this one is both more comprehensive and a smaller physical book (for your small onboard library...) "The Marlinspike Sailor" is more project oriented - and has excellent plans and diagrams for practical onboard ropework and sewing projects - while this book is focussed on the elements that go into such projects (without the actual examples). It's very traditional - as with all of Smith's period writing - with little or no reference to modern materials, but it's a posthumous reprint, so don't expect much updating... but the style is both informative and interesting without being dry or obtuse. "The Marlinspike Sailor" might actually be a better starting point for a true beginner (and it does contain a short update to 'modern' braided rope in the back), but I have them both and don't regret it.