Notable Boats: Small Craft, Many Adventures

by Nic Compton, Peter Scott (Illustrations)

A charmingly illustrated selection of thirty-six iconic boats and the remarkable stories surrounding them.
 
Whether it be on a humble fishing boat, a canvas kayak, or a racing yacht, the allure of navigating across a brilliant blue sea is a pleasure that many dream of experiencing. Notable Boats presents thirty-six small crafts and the inspirational journeys that made them memorable, celebrating the beauty and craftsmanship of each vessel. From an eleven-foot micro-cruiser that was built on an apartment balcony then set sail around the world, to the seven-day voyage that would change John Lennon’s life, this book is an absorbing read that will engage the reader in the romance of maritime adventures.
 
Featuring beautiful color illustrations, attractively styled statistics, and gripping text, Notable Boats is a delightful read for anyone who appreciates the art of sailing, showing a range of everyday crafts such as the canoe and the fishing trawler, boats of historic interest, fictional ships, and more. Each boat is illustrated in detail, including the aerial view of its deck, a map of its course, and a written description of the boat and what it is famous for. The stories cover the globe, with compelling tales from all the world’s waterways, from the Nile to the poles and from the Spanish Main across the seven seas.
 
Notable Boats offers an intimate window into a world of sailing and pays homage to some of the world’s most unforgettable boats, adventurous sailors, and amazing voyages.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2017

About the author

Nic Compton is a writer/photographer specialising in sailing - but with a keen interest in environmental issues. After an idyllic childhood on boats in the Mediterranean, he returned to the UK at age 14 to complete his formal education, including in a degree in English with American & Commonwealth Arts at Exeter University. After a decade or so working as a journeyman shipwright, he studied Journalism at City University, eventually fetching up at the offices of Classic Boat in land-locked Croydon. He was deputy editor and then editor of the magazine from 1994 to 2000. That was when he gave up the security of the monthly pay packet for the vagaries of freelance life. Since then he has travelled the world as a writer/photographer, contributing to a variety of magazines, and has written 15 books mostly about boats. He recently completed an MA in Global Political Economy at Sussex University, and co-wrote two books about economics. He currently lives by the River Dart in Devon, UK, from where he sails a Romilly 22 called Ramona. More information at www.niccompton.co.uk.

Reviews

[big reader ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know nothing about boats and I rarely read non-fiction, but the writing of these stories was incredible and sucked you into the story. It was enough to make anyone interested in boats. I will definitely be returning to Nic Compton's writing!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not being a sea-going human, I’m still fascinated by sea adventures and Notable Boats kept me re-reading and being amazed (at the 16-year-old girl who sailed around the world alone!) at all these adventures. Having the boat specs, and the maps, added to the pithy stories, which had just the right amounts of fact and colorful description.
This book was an eye-opener and I love those kinds!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this impulsively as a coffee table book and immediately read it cover to cover because it is wonderful. 4 pages each of illustration and text on some of history's most fascinating boats and the people who sailed them. I hope there is a Notable Boats Part II on the horizon!