- the following books are available through the Surrey library system and probably most public libraries.

HANDLING TROUBLES AFLOAT John Mellor Adlard Coles 1996

This splendid book is aimed at the yacht-owner rather than the dinghy-cruising sailor but nevertheless the wealth of tips within and the author's lateral thinking approaches make fascinating arm-chair reading. Mellor reckons that many yachting troubles are due to over-dependence on (a) motors, and (b) electrics and electronics. He claims that 'With compass, chart, pencil, torch, lead-line and a packet of biscuits, (the skipper) should be capable of safely making his way home.' DCA members would of course agree, with a gallon of water added to the list.

WOODEN SHIP Spectre and Larkin Houghton and Miflin 1991

This sumptuously illustrated book includes a great deal of information on open boats, from dug-out canoes onwards, and carries several pages on constructing a bark canoe using only woodland materials and methods. Other open boats of interest include the Adirondack Guide Boat, a beautiful lightweight designed to be carried one shoulder from one lake or stream to another, the Gloucester Light Dory, the Matinicus Island Peapod, and sailing log-boats. (The latter are not the lumbering craft one would expect, but well-constructed and highly evolved racing craft with huge sail areas and trapezes for their crews!) The section on Viking ships (which were essentially huge open boats) shows half a dozen pages on an authentic replica being built by the old methods in the open, in the snow.

A VIKING VOYAGE W. Hodding Carter Ebury Press 2001

No Viking ship, whether a troop-carrier like the Gokstad Ship, a pleasure yacht like the Oseberg Ship, or a cargo-carrying knarr, was more than a large open boat with loose decking. This book tells of building an authentic knarr and re-enacting the historic Viking voyage to America. This involved sailing and rowing up the west Greenland coast, over to Baffin Land and thence to Labrador and Newfoundland, all without auxiliary engine or guard-ship. The author (who organised the project) even wore authentic Viking clothing for the voyage. At first it seemed a crazy stunt since only one member of the crew had any significant sailing experience and the boat-builder who sailed with them suffered hopelessly from seasickness.

Furthermore although they had archeological evidence for the construction of a knarr hull, it was not known how or even exactly where the side-rudder was attached. Consequently they were initially unable to steer their ship, and their first attempted crossing ended in disaster when the side rudder tore a hole in the ship's side, and they had to be rescued. Fortunately sponsorship was obtained for a second attempt the following year, and most of the crew were able to re-join, but this time severe fitness training was mandatory. With the new side-rudder arrangement working properly they crossed to Baffin Land successfully, and their experiences rowing and sailing down the Canadian coasts tied in with the saga account. The voyage ended at the site of a known Viking settlement, and here the knarr replica was dragged ashore to remain as a permanent exhibit. What at first seemed to be an irresponsible stunt became in the end a valuable contribution to Viking history. Detailed technical illustrations of both the unsuccessful and the successful side-oar arrangements are provided. Incidentally, archaeological evidence shows that not all Viking crewmen were fine seamen. A granny knot was found on one excavated Viking ship!