All This and Sailing, Too (Hardcover)

by Olin J Stephen II (Author) "I came to work with little to support my hopes beyond intense interest satisfied by sailing and reading..." (more)
Key Phrases: seagoing ability, hull drag, prismatic coefficient, New York, America's Cup, Rosenfeld Collection (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Olin Stephens is the most successful racing-yacht designer of the 20th century, a legend in his own time almost from the day in 1931 when he and his brother Rod and father Roderick, Sr. finished a transatlantic race to England in the revolutionary 52' yawl Dorade a full two days ahead of the competition. His autobiography begins with youthful family sailing, moves on to Six-Metre designs and victories, to J-Boat experience in the 1930s, to war work in the 1940s, to American Cup design and sailing from 1958 to 1983, and to a fleet of great cruising and racing yachts in between. This personal history of Olin and his brother, Rod, of the renowned design firm of Sparkman and Stephens, and of international yachting in this century, is informed, introspective, eloquent.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Mystic Seaport Museum; 1st edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913372897
• ISBN-13: 978-0913372890
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #389,584 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 20th Century's greatest yacht designer surveys his life, August 10, 2000

By	Neil Millward (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This is a charming and insightful autobiography by the living legend of 20th century yacht design. It is beautifully produced with many glorious photographs and illustrations. But its outstanding quality is the warmth and modesty of the writer which shines through his personal account of his contribution to yacht design and the highlights of Sparkman & Stephens' record over the past 70 years. Chapters on his early years, the breaks he had as a fledgling designer, the Americas Cup successes, the wartime development of the DUKW, his philosophy of design and approach to rating rules for yacht racing will enthrall a wide readership.

Owners of S&S designed yachts - and many others besides - will doubtless be captivated by this book. No wonder the first printing is already a sell-out.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great man's great story, July 25, 2000

By	John Rousmaniere (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

The world's most successful yacht designer and a superstar in the sport of sailing, Olin Stephens writes the story of his long life around boats. There's much here to interest sailors -- including stories of the America's Cup and other key races -- as well as a lot that's controversial about racing, racing rules, Dennis Conner, and the Cup. Olin sailed in two Cup winners, designed six of them, and designed and raced winners of other major races.

This is also the story of a fascinating, sensitive, and humble man, as you can see in the opening sentences: "I was lucky; i had a goal. As far back as I can remember I wanted to design fast boats."

Engagingly written and beautifully published, this is a book for any sailor.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, April 1, 2009

By	J. Miguel Esteve Torro "Quel" (Barcelona, Spain) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Enjoyed it right from the first line all the way to the end. Mr. Stephens honest review of his professional and personal life is captivating and the beautiful drawings and pictures of S&S's boats coming from several collections unsurpased.