Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere

This book took hold of my imagination and such that I actually went out and got me a small boat that can take me anywhere! With any luck, perhaps I can eventually try a few of the other inspiring little boats Mr Vigor so painstakingly described in this little tome! Really, this has become my favourite book - which I actually carry around with me; if I'm ever feeling down, I can just pull out the dog-eared little paperback and wistfully dream about Bristol Channel Cutters and Pearson Tritons and Folkboats and cetera!

I bought this book years ago and still pick it up occasionally. Always entertaining. I had dreams, long since abandoned, of adventure on the high seas and this book always sparks them back up.

Vigor's book is an excellent place to start for anyone looking for a good, cheap world cruiser. It would take an adventurous spirit to cross oceans in any of these boats, particularly the two Cals mentioned, but one would not have to live a cruelly Spartan existence aboard them. The simplicity of traveling small eliminates the constant hassle of ice makers, generators and other expensive, power-hungry, time-consuming gear that will likely break down anyway. As I read, I found myself falling in love with whichever design Vigor was speaking of at the moment. I think there would be a real audience for another book, a book covering the small sailboats he doesn't mention here, the Bayfield 25 the Cheoy Lee, and others that one reviewer suggested. He could call it: Twenty MORE Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere. I'm sure Vigor could come up with more suggestions many haven't considered. Probably everyone who bought the first book would buy the second. I know I would as I plan an upgrade from my small Vagabond sloop. By the way, Vigor has a charming writing style which makes the book fun to read whether you're an experienced offshore sailor or just a dreamer.

I am new to sailing but this book is accessible enough for a beginner to start narrowing choices. The book's organization allowed me to quickly skim through a chapter and glean enough to know if that boat might be one that would be a candidate for my needs, interest, and budget; it has the right blend of technical information and personal anecdote. Using this format Vigor could easily expand to include many more boats and still have a useful reference.

a review by Matt W. as published by American Sailing Association lets face it folks, when you sail skiffs at twenty mph it makes these things look huge and slow BUT if you want to call them "small" its up to you. Be that as it may "twenty small boats to take you anywhere" is the best put together book of its kind that I have ever read bar none. John Vigor has put a lot of research and general "checking out" of all twenty boats in this book and has presented this information in a clear and concise manner. Starting at the intro I started to think "O.K. ..another dull book about boats". I was surprised by an easy reading style that felt as if J.V. were standing there at the boatyard with me. Each boat in this collection gets a good complete, and fair review on basic design, accommodations and lay out of cabins, rig, performance and most important KNOWN WEAKNESSES. There are also quick reference summarizations on each boat via an "in short" and "in comparison" boxes. Another thing I found enjoyable is the "owners comments". They are entertaining and valuable experiential knowledge of how the boat actually handles under sail. The drawings of each boat with top side and beam views with the rig is also very helpful. Twenty Small Boats to take you Anywhere" is an excellent reference book for those looking for a great sea worthy craft or even for those that are just curious. In any case I will be adding this one to my personal library. Now could some one please put out a book like this for fast racing skiffs? ;)>