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Rating:  -
Since this book covers boats that are now several years old, it is perfect for those searching for a used cruising sailboat. You can pour over a dozen designs and make your own conclusions about it's strengths and weaknesses. Most of the boats in this book include an engineering drawing, this is very helpful if your boat manufacturer is no longer in business.
The only real problem with this book is that it reads like a "boating" magazine. You get the feeling the author is trying to sell the boat rather than review the boat.
Rating:  -
When I went on-line to order the book that I wanted I specifically asked for Vol II. I received instead Vol. 1. Because this was a birthday gift for my husband I tried again for the Vol II book and PAID for shipping so that I would get the book in 2 days.
I still do not have my refund credited for the above book, although I received an email saying that I was credited.
Rating:  -
A beautiful book that will give heart palpitations to those who love sailboats. The photographs are fantastic and the writing insightful. There are also some very candid interviews with the different builders. As Máté says, this is not a definitive list, but a list of beautiful and really well built boats from builders with a unique perspective on sailing. Consequently, several genres of sailing are presented. This book is best purchased with "The World's Best Sailboats, Volume 2." The were some deletions and additions between the two volumes. Some of these were due to the requirement that the builder still be in business. I think others were due to builders being less focused on building a quality boat. Also, there are no custom boats reviewed, which is why you don't see any aluminum, steel or cold-molded boats.
To make Máté's list, it seems a boat builder not only had to build a seaworthy vessel, but one that was also a joy to sail and beautiful to look at. While some may argue that the autopilot does not care how the boat sails and beauty means durability and low maintenance, for those who really love sailing these attributes can never be ignored. I own an Alden 44, which is featured in this book. I can say that it measures up in every way. I've been caught in 45 knots with steep 10' plus seas off the coast of North Carolina and sailed downwind on a warm, 10 knot breeze on Little Bahama Bank. Regardless of the conditions, the boat performed beautifully. Despite having an autopilot, I somehow find myself taking the helm when sailing close-hauled; there is no better feeling than to be on the wind in a fine yacht. And once in harbor, people always come over and comment on how beautiful my boat is.
The boats on Máté's list may seem to be all about bragging rights, but this is not so. Sailing is hard work and is often uncomfortable. If you are greeted by an ugly boat that sails like a pig every time you come down the dock, what pleasure will there be when you are cold, tired, and wet? It is the difference between Slocum's Spray, in which he circumnavigated in a near continual state of ecstasy, and Chichester's Gipsy Moth IV - a temperamental boat that had a knack for directing water into the cabin and refused to sail for more than a couple of hours unattended. It was only through Chichester's will and determination that he completed, albeit bruised and battered, his circumnavigation.
Rating: -
This book was not first published in 2001, as suggested by Amazon's information, so what is offered is either a second edition or there is a typo in the date of publication. Some of the manufacturers are no longer in existance (as pointed out by another reviewer), and Vol. II of this book was published in 2003 with updated reviews of most of the boat builders covered in Vol I.
Yes, it is a stunning picture book, no, it is not of the slightest use for any other purpose, and even as a picture book it does not equal or compare well with Vol. II.
Rating: -
This is an absolutely gorgeous book. The photography is awesome! It is a "dreambook." You would not look through it in order to choose a boat. Most of them would only be available as used boats in any case. You buy this book for your coffee table, because you love fine, beautiful yachts!
Ferenc Mate has done a remarkable job, bringing together some of the finest sailing yachts, designed by the world's best naval architects and built by some of the best yards. The boats are described in the text, and the building techniques and history discussed, and line drawings presented of the plans, buttock lines, sailplans and accommodations. But, the most striking feature of the book is the exquisite photographs, many of which were made by Mate himself (photographic credits are listed on page 281.)
One does not need to be a yacht owner to love such vessels, or to love this book. However, I have been a yacht owner. I built my own, in my back yard: a ketch-rigged (two-masted) trimaran, the Wild Goose, document number 516550 Net 11. She was a 36' beauty, with a 20' beam that took me four years to build and all the money in the world. We sailed her and lived on her for a couple of years in the Pacific.
Anyone who has ever longed for their own boat will want this fine book to dream over. Such dreams can and do come true. Take my word for it, they do!
Joseph Pierre,
Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity
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