Best Boats to Build or Buy (Paperback)

~ Ferenc Máté (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a book for those who are seeking something better than the mass-produced, glass-fibre production model... The text, numerous excellently reproduced photographs and ample line drawings and plans will delight any yachtsman and afford to those trying to decide which boat will suit, vast amounts of insight and understanding. Even for those who just like to read about boats, Ferenc Mate's beguiling style is reward in itself." Lloyd's List"

Product Description

A favorite volume from best-selling nautical author Ferenc Máté, now with an updated kit boat list.

Lovingly written and beautifully photographed, Best Boats is an evaluation of the most elegantly designed and best-built sailboats in stages—from a bare hull to a finished yacht. In addition to evaluating overall design, performance and layout, this book, like no other, analyses how and how well the boats are built.

Ranging from the ageless Herreshoff day-sailer to the ultra-light Santa Cruz flyers, the book features some of the finest works of designers such as German Frers, Chuck Paine, Bill Crealock, Doug Peterson, Lyle Hess, and others. Even more importantly, it contains interviews with legendary builders such as Tom Morris, the Cherubinis, Cecil Lange, and Tom Dreyfus.

Using the surveyed boats as examples, Máté shows what to look for when contemplating the purchase of any sailboat. For the boatbuilder, it points out the weaknesses and strengths of all aspects of construction, using hundreds of photographs and illustrations to clarify. 304 b/w photographs and illustrations.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Albatross (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0920256244
• ISBN-13: 978-0920256244
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #350,122 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovingly written - beautifully photographed, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

I love this book. It offers the author's selections of the best boats in a wide range of categories ranging from small rowing skiffs to bluewater cruisers. The emphasis in each is on quality of construction, design, and performance. Ample photographs and diagrams give a good idea of each boat's design, and the accompanying text gets you itching for the feel of salt water spray on your face.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Boats to Build or Buy, October 28, 2000

By A Customer

I would never build a sailboat. It would take too much time. But, this book makes me want to change my mind. At the very least, it give interesting insight into journeyman boatbuilding. I used to check this book out of the library about twice a year - whenever I'd get an irresistable urge to dream about sailing away into the sunset. I don't buy very many new books but I finally decided to just buy a copy of this one because I kept wanting to keep it when my check-out time was over (there was always a waiting list). Also, if you ever want to buy a boat - just pick one of the ones described in this book and you'll at least appear to know what the heck you are doing!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good technical advice., March 16, 2004

By	Reuben Gathright "rgathright" (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Black and white illustrations give this book an older feel. I use this book as a yachtmans guide to care of a sailboat only. Purchase The World's Best Sailboats, Volume 2 if you are interested in pictures.