A comprehensive sailing reference from 1978 by the editors of Yacht Racing/Cruising, with 467 pages of illustrated instruction on everything from boat types and equipment to racing tactics and seamanship fundamentals.
Perfect for sailing enthusiasts, boat owners, and collectors who want a solid foundation in sailing knowledge — or who simply love vintage how-to books that explain the world of water sports with clarity and authority.
Details
Condition Grade: Good
Positives
- All 467 pages present and intact; no missing pages or sections
- Interior text clear and easy to read; binding solid
- Illustrations crisp and visible; technical diagrams legible
- No writing, highlighting, or marginalia visible in photos
Issues / Wear
- Paper ends (flyleaves) show spotting and dust from storage — typical for a book of this age kept on a shelf
- Dust jacket shows age-consistent fading and edge wear; not pristine but readable and displayable
- Pages have yellowed slightly from age — does not affect readability
See all photos for detail — sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
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Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
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Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
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Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
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Fair: Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.
Collector's Notes
The Encyclopedia of Sailing arrived in the late 1970s when sailing was growing as a sport and hobby in America — not elite, not fringe, but genuine. This 1978 edition captures that moment: a comprehensive, practical guide for people who wanted to own boats, race them, or simply understand the rules and language of the water.
It suits sailors and boat owners, nautical history fans, and anyone building a collection of vintage sports instruction manuals — the kind of reference that teaches rather than decorates.
This copy came home with something extra tucked inside: original typed sailing instructions from the Brazosport Yacht Club for Christmas Bay, dated 1979 — a small historical document from a specific sailing community, exact and handwritten by someone preparing boats for a race.
A solid book that did its job and still does.
Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)
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Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Please Note:
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.
