Encyclopedia of Sailing 1978 Revised Edition — Yacht Racing & Cruising Reference

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

• Item: Reference book / encyclopedia
• Title: Encyclopedia of Sailing Revised and Updated
• Editors: Editors of Yacht Racing/Cruising
• Contributors: With Robert Scharff and Richard Henderson
• Publisher: Harper & Row
• Year: 1978
• Edition/Printing: Revised and Updated
• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
• Dust Jacket: Present; burgundy cloth with green text; shows age appropriate wear
• Pages: 467 pages
• Special Features: Over 250 halftones and line drawings; sections on history of sailing, sailboats and gear, racing rules and tactics, seamanship, weather, and competition; includes catalog of sailboat designs
• Measurements: 10.5" H × 7" W × 2" D
• ISBN: Not confirmed from photos

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

• Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
• Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
• Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
• 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.

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