The Tactics of Small Boat Racing — a classic sailing reference by one of the world's leading competitive sailors. This is a working copy, marked and studied by someone serious about mastering the art of tactical racing.
For sailors who want to understand how to win, how to read wind and water and the boats around them, how to position for advantage — this is the book that generations of racers have returned to.
Details
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Title: The Tactics of Small Boat Racing
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Author: Stuart H. Walker, M.D.
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Illustrator: Carol H. Little
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Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York
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Year: 1966, First Edition
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Pages: 333 pages
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Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
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Measurements: 9.5" H × 6.75" W
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ISBN: 0 393 03132 2
Condition Grade: Good
Positives
- All 333 pages present and intact; binding tight and sound
- Text fully legible throughout
- Dust jacket present and displayable
- Illustrated technical diagrams clear and readable
- Folded interactive sailboat diagrams intact (students' learning aids)
Issues / Wear
- Dust jacket shows edge wear, fading, and minor creasing from age and use — expected for a 58-year-old first edition
- End pages show dust and storage staining — characteristic of books kept on shelves for decades
- Interior pages have been actively marked: yellow highlighting and handwritten study notes throughout (see photos)
- Pages aged to cream color — consistent with book's age
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.
What Makes This Copy Special
This is not a shelf-sitter. Someone studied this book. Yellow highlighting marks key passages on tactics, wind theory, boat positioning, and competitive strategy. Handwritten notes trace thinking and learning. The folded sailboat diagrams — teaching tools showing course lines, wind patterns, and tactical positioning — remain intact and ready to be unfolded.
This is a book that was used, the way Stuart Walker's masterpiece was meant to be used. It tells the story of a sailor serious enough about racing to mark up the margins and work through the concepts. For a collector or active sailor, that working history adds narrative value.
About This Book
Dr. Stuart H. Walker was an international dinghy champion and member of the U.S. Olympic sailing team. The Tactics of Small Boat Racing is his masterwork — a detailed, technical study of how to win. Walker recounts real racing situations he faced, the problems they posed, and the tactical solutions he discovered. Each chapter builds understanding of positioning, wind awareness, current reading, and competitive psychology.
The book is illustrated throughout by Carol H. Little with black-and-white diagrams showing boat angles, courses, wind patterns, and tactical scenarios. It remains one of the most respected technical references in competitive sailing — studied by club racers, one-design competitors, and Olympic athletes alike.
If you sail competitively or want to understand the strategy behind winning small boat races, this 1966 original edition is foundational. And this particular copy — marked and studied by someone who took the lessons seriously — has the character of a true sailor's working reference.
A note on the markings: Some buyers prefer unmarked copies; others treasure the evidence of active reading and study. If you're the latter — if you see a well-marked book as a record of learning and engagement — this copy tells that story beautifully.
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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.
Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.
