While digging through the boating section at my local Barnes & Noble, I came upon this small paperback. Although a section of this book does deal with the subject, it is much more than just a Boy Scout’s knot tying manual.
     It begins with a look at the different kinds of ropes and their advantages and disadvantages, and what each type is best used for.
     As if there weren’t enough things to remember when learning to sail, rope handling has it’s own language, or terminology. Chapter two of the first section gives some basic terms and their uses. Other things covered in this section are how to treat the ends of different types of rope to keep it from unraveling, there is also some basics on fittings such as cleats chocks, and shackles. It ends with a discussion on rope handling. Being a "lefty", I’ve always had trouble coiling ropes without them twisting. There’s some helpful information here on the subject.
     Section Two is the knot handbook. This is your basic knot tying lesson. The illustrations and descriptions are very clear. With a close look at the drawings, one could learn to tie a bowline without reading the text. If you read the description carefully, the picture isn’t even necessary.
     Section Three has quite a bit of information that we can apply to our Stevenson’s boats. Here we have a couple different ways to lace the mainsail to the boom and gaff, plus a description of how to use lacing instead of hoops to attach the luff of the sail to the mast. Reefing and furling mainsails and rigging a boom vang are in there too. There are also several options for mainsheet rigging. One of which I plan to try on my boat, as it will clear the tiller that I will be using.
     Chapter 15 is what really caught my eye. It’s titled "Gaff Rig". It begins with a brief description of the differences between the Marconi rig and the gaff rig. Included in this chapter are a couple of different ways to rig peak halyards and ideas on gaff vangs and running backstays.
     Other things covered in this book include anchoring, dock lines, securing things on deck, and towing a dinghy.I’m sure there are books out there that cover things in more detail, but there’s an awful lot of information here, in a handy little package. I think beginners and old salts alike, will find it useful.
     As one who is still working on learning the proper way to handle the lines, I think it will be a good idea for me, to stow this little book in my Weekender’s cabin when she’s ready to launch.