The Marlinspike Sailor

by Hervey Garrett Smith

Hervey Garrett Smith was the foremost marine illustrator of the 1950s and 1960s, and his wonderful drawings of traditional ropework quickly propelled The Marlinspike Sailor to cult classic status when it was published in 1956. With the addition of a section on modern, synthetic rope in the 1970s, its popularity has continued undiminished to this day. It teaches a few basic knots--the bowline, sheet bend, and rolling hitch, among others--and splices in three-strand and braided rope. But its real business is decorative rope and canvaswork--the traditional arts of the sailor--and here it has no equal. For a rope mat, a rope ladder, a sea chest, a ditty bag, a canvas bucket, a mast boot, and the best-looking rope fenders or heaving line in the marina, this is the book of choice.

Genres: Nautical, Nonfiction, Maritime, Crafts

131 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1971

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference work for any sailor or boater.

[KennyO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introductory skills for the sailor. Even if you sail a Tupperware boat the knots, mats and methods Smith presents here will make your time aboard better. His descriptions, explanations and illustrations are accurate, helpful and enjoyable and if you put them to work, they're useful, too.

[Adam Heckathorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Dad had this when I was very young and I recently purchased it. I have done a number of decorative water bottles.