Shooting H2O by Rik Tomlinson

A collection of the author’s outstanding sailing photographs, mostly of racing yachts, but also some of cruising and wildlife. The two which impressed me most were one of a ketch against a glacier backdrop, and another of a whale diving. Well worth borrowing from your local library, but be prepared for a long wait!

The Practical Encyclopaedia of Sailing by Jeremy Evans — Lorenz 2001

This new publication, lavishly illustrated with superb photographs, is mostly about the latest practice in high performance dinghies and catamarans, but certain items in the three pages devoted to cruising dinghy classes may raise DCA eyebrows. For instance what about the author’s selection of cruising dinghies? These are the Laser 13, Laser 16, and Laser Stratos (cruising version) as well as the more predictable Wayfarer, Wanderer and Drascombe Lugger. The 16ft Stratos (which is said to have replaced the Laser 13 and 16) apparently has a radical flooding system to facilitate capsize recovery, with a ballasted centreboard option for those wishing to keep their boats afloat on moorings. Regarding the Wayfarer it is claimed that ‘a 17 sq m (183 sq ft) gennaker has proved extremely popular for cruising and learning’!

Would it be possible for a couple of experienced members to arrange an official DCA test-sail of the cruising Stratos (including its capsize recovery)? Has any member tried the new Wayfarer gennaker and if so could s/he report on its cruising practicality? No doubt some members will have ready-made opinions, but it would be better to keep open minds until we have factual reports. Despite its controversial views and some erroneous statements this is another book worth requesting from your local library for a quick read.

Note: A general description of the Stratos appeared in Bulletin 170 — Technical Advisor

Sailing Small Cruisers by J C Winters — Adlard Coles 1995

This work includes the type of mini-cruiser and semi-dinghy owned by a significant proportion of DCA members, with photos of the 15’ WW Potter, 15’ Winkle Brig, 17’ Nimrod, 15’ Rainbow, Charles Stock’s lovely 16’ gaffer Shoal Waters, and Hugh Clay’s Scandinavian style double-ender. (The quoted lengths of the Potter and the Nimrod seem to be incorrect).

The substantial section on heavy weather shows Charles Stock’s Shoal Waters sailing in Force 8 in sheltered waters with storm jib and gaff-headed storm mainsail The author questions the use of the small gaff on the storm sail, indeed I would have thought that a trysail would have been better, but who am I to challenge Charles Stock’s expertise?

Among the other points made on heavy weather sailing: ‘Check the piston hanks on your storm jib — there is no point in carrying it if you cannot set it!’; ‘Caught out in a gale, the motor might be better kept as a last resort’; ‘Hove-to in a gale, leeway can be as much as 2 to3 knots, so get up to windward while you can!’. Also shown is Charles Stock’s photograph of the Sunk Tower, which remains partly demolished, bristling with spiky reinforcement rods. Enough for me to give it the wide berth that the author recommends!

The photograph of the 15 foot Rainbow class, ‘una-rigged with an unstayed mast that flexes to spill wind’ looks interesting. This craft is said to have ‘two berths and room for a camping stove below its flush foredeck’, and that ‘expanded foam under the sole makes it unsinkable’. I wonder whether the Rainbow is also capsize-rightable, whether the flexible mast is strong enough to stand up to heavy weather, what its reefing arrangements are, and whether the under-foredeck berths are claustrophobic and too inaccessible. Has anyone sailed this boat?

Inevitably some points in this book are controversial, but nevertheless it contains a great deal of valuable information and sound advice. Worth purchasing if you own a mini-cruiser.