Sailmaking / Rigging references needed

[Ron Carter]

While I'm willing to invent the wheel over again, if necessary, I'm not dumb enough to ignore others past successes. In that regard I need to buy one or two good books on the above topics. The Sail Makers Apprentice? Bolgers 101 rigs? Todd Bradshaws canoe related stuff? Interest is dinghy sailling as opposed to bluewater stuff. I'm sure there are opinions out there about which books might be most appropriate to small boat rigging. Even though living adjacent to Lake Michigan there is virtually nothing in the local library beyond basic sailing primers.

[Ian Marchuk]

Tom Colvin wrote and publishes a book on sailmaking . You can order from him directly. Google Thomas E Colvin. If I knew how to post the link here I would , but I am barely functional computerwise :rolleyes: . TC is a long time builder and sailor , and has experimented with all kinds of rigs. A fine gentleman he is as well. Good luck......

[George Ray]

Sailmaker Appretince: A++++++, poetry to read, while still being one one of the best sail making/repair books available.

Bolger 101 Rigs: Great survey of sail rigs with his comments/observations.

Colvin on Sailmaking: 92% Junk Rig stuff with a smattering of wonderful observations and techniques that have universal applicability to most any sailboat or sail construction project. He does a small section on seatrials that I find particularly interesting. Sail w/o the rudder through all points of sail and shifting trim ballast so as to understand the boat/rig.

[Ken Hutchins]

"Riggers Apprentice' by Brian Toss a good companion book to the 'Sailmakers Apprentice'

[Thorne]

I'll second the suggestion for Sailmaker's Apprentice, but I found Bolger's 103 rigs to be *just* sailplans and their names -- no useful rigging or sail cutting information.

[PaulC]

Since we also live in a smaller town in Michigan; have your tried searching for the books over the "Michigan Electronic Libary", aka the MEL system? You can look up the titles, subjects, or authors online. When you find the book(s) you want, "order" them, with the ID numbers in your Michicard library card. Books that are available show up at your local library a few days later. Check out and return are just like your local on-shelf books. It is a nice system that really works!

[Ron Carter]

Just ordered "Sailmakers Apprentice" and "The Marlinspike Sailor". "Free" shipping just cost me $10. OTOH the monkey fist thread got the juices flowing. Paul, I'll try the MEL. I had the Ludington library order in "1000 Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe" and it took almost 6 months. Thanks to all for the usual good advice and quick service.