From the early days of settlement through to the hi-tech modern era, yachting has been arguably the quintessential summer leisure activity and sport for a wide cross-section of New Zealand society. It is a story of do-it-yourselfers, master yachtsmen, world-class yacht builders and designers, and many, many magnificent yachts. ‘Southern Breeze’ takes […]
Old Sea Wings, Ways & Words in the days of Oak & Hemp by Robert C Leslie
Preface – It was in December, 1884, that I received the following kind words of encouragement from Mr. Ruskin, about some sketches and notes upon old ships, boats, sails, and rigging: “My Dear Leslie, I never saw anything half so delightful or useful as these compared sails so easily explained. Do set yourself at […]
Sailing, Seamanship And Yacht Construction by Uffa Fox
This book is not only about boats but provides the bigger picture including an insight into the world-wide Depression. While much of the World was struggling to put food on the table, the wealthy were building fabulous yachts purely to race each other. The “J” boats were the penultimate result of cheap labor and materials […]
The Northseamen
This is the story of mariners and their vessels. It studies the past two hundred and fifty years of men and craft that hailed principally from the small communities along the Essex coast of the UK. It tells of fishermen, salvagers, professional yachtsmen, the ship and yacht builders. It is an adventurous, varied and often […]