The Art of Coarse Sailing

Art of Coarse

by Michael Frederick Green

Harking back to the time when yachts were made of wood, this bestselling classic - even more relevant for the Coarse Sailor of the millennium who, in times of crisis, is wont to forget nautical language and shout 'For God's sake, turn left!' - will appeal to all those sailing buffs who mostly find themselves boating around in muck rather than mucking around in boats!

Genres: Humor

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Michael Frederick Green ( 2 January 1927 - 25 February 2018) was a British journalist and author of humorous books. He is best known for The Art of Coarse Rugby, The Art of Coarse Acting and other books with similar titles.

Reviews

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve based my honeymoon on this book…

[Schopflin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest books ever written. Bear in mind that the sexist opinions are uttered by men who are not exactly sympathetic in the first place.

[Julian Onions · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this again for I don't know how many times now, and it is still laugh out loud funny. Sure it has dated a bit since it was originally written, but the humour is still laughable. Loved it.

[Chris Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a sailor or not, READ THIS BOOK. Absolutely hilarious.

[Fl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Midly funny. Very likely all true (the way sailing anecdotes are). Fails to be Three Men in a Boat.

[Moomo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was to sixties' Britain what "Three Men in a Boat" was to late Victorian England: hopeless, middle-class dreamers making an arse of themselves on the water, but leaving the rest of us in stitches while they're doing it. So, yes, it's a bit dated, and yes, some of the attitudes are a bit non-PC, but that's how it was when the book was written. I remember hearing this read to my class at school, and everyone being convulsed with laughter, not least thanks to the teacher's brilliant impersonation of the eponymous Beaver. But I also recall that he gave up two thirds of the way through, which is perhaps just as well because the ending is somewhat flat. There's no proper climax as such, and the whole thing just fizzles out unimpressively. But even so, it's an evocative little book, and one which will seem hideously realistic to any landlubber who has ever ventured afloat. I've noticed, incidentally, that one reviewer abandoned this book and gave it a single star because of the "casual sexism". It's possible she might have a point: the men are all portrayed as witless idiots who treat their wives and girlfriends as second-class citizens, then find the joke backfiring when the inevitable mutiny happens. It is indeed outrageous that men should be stereotyped in such a way. But somehow I don't think that's what the reviewer meant.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in the format of one sailing trip, with occasional reminiscences, this times-past book by a British author hilariously brings a sailing party to life. From going under a bridge without stepping the mast, to where everyone sleeps, to opening the wrong tins for stew, or the amiable drinking in wayside pubs, you'll feel you have been there and done that.
Green even sailed on the Zuider Zee, now a Dutch polder, and tells how to navigate without a compass as well as the importance of getting on with the girls on board.
It's one of my favourites and different from his usual style of a handbook. Try the coarse rugby ones, even if you know nothing about rugby.

[Kara J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best Caricature books I have ever read. Although dated in places, Michael Greene's candid humour and simple descriptions of the accidents and misfortune that befell his sailing trips with his friends on the Norfolk Broads never fail to amuse me.

[Avis Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two classics of sailing humor, namely Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome and The Art of Coarse Sailing by Michael Green, and this one is even funnier than Jerome's book.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book so many times. The stories - clearly - lack no surprise but they are gently humorous in what seems like a much simpler time. Great fun.

[Steve Culliford · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good a read this time compared to how I remember it when I read it 30 years ago!

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

second time of reading and just as hilarious

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three Men in a Boat would have been like this if it were set in the nineteen fifties.
Quite funny.

[Chris Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this every year, know it backwards and it still makes me giggle.

Comfort reading for COVID-19.

[Leo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Funny in many ways, but the casual sexism made me stop reading.