To Harness the Wind: A Short History of the Development of Sails
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.61 (724 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1557502099 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 176 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2015-04-30 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Man was a sailor long before he invented the wheel or straddled a horse, and his adventures at sea changed the course of history. Leo Block tells the story of the evolution of sails and relates it to historic events and other factors that affected the performance of sailing vessels. The Vikings optimized the performance of the square sail, and the Dutch modified the Arab lateen to create the sail commonly used today. Initially he was able to sail only downwind, but the Cretans and Phoenicians made design improvements to sails that permitted sailing across and eventually against the wind. Written in laymen's terms, the book is an excellent learning tool for readers who know little about the history of sailing vessels and a quick reference guide for sailors who want a reminder of how their craft evolved.. Numerous illustrations help explain the technical factors involved.Focusing mainly on European improvements, Block details the progress of sail design from the lateen to the square, fore and aft, and classic rigs right up to the swift clipper ships of the nineteenth century just before the advent of steam power
Naval Reserve, is the author of Diesel Engines: A Boat Owner's Guide to Operation and Maintenance. . About the Author Leo Block, a retired captain in the U.S. His articles on boating and seamanship have appeared in Sea Magazine
Fascinating, Informative, and Enjoyable I want to design a sail for my canoe and this book was part of my research. The author explains, through history, how each type of sail works, what it does and doesn't do well, how the sailors solved problems, and how they evolved the art. Through this book I now understand what kinds of sails I can use and what to expect of them. I also feel confident that I could build a make-shift sail if ever the need arises.As a bonus the author describes not just the nautical terms but also the. great review of sailboat design and history John G. Curington Leo Block, a retired US Naval Reserve captain, has brought together a marvelous collection of sailing history, design, and theory. Captain Block starts with the Egyptians and a description of a sailing vessel on a vase from 6000B.C. It was fascinating to read about how the first sailboats on the Nile probably sailed downwind only. Since the predominant winds on the Nile were upstream, the early sailors could sail upriver, drop the sails, and then paddle back with the current. He then. Great book to learn how sails work This book is an interesting read. I recommend it not only to avid sailors but also to people who have sailed on a boat once or twice and want to know how a sailboat basically worksThe author has provided an excellent history on the development of the sail, starting with boats in the days of the Egyptian's, leading up to today's racing boats. He presents it in an easy-to-read format which allowed me a better understanding on how sails work and how they have evolved.I also enjoyed the
His articles on boating and seamanship have appeared in Sea Magazine. . Naval Reserve, is the author of Diesel Engines: A Boat Owner's Guide to Operation and Maintenance. Leo Block, a retired captain in the U.S