Rigging Period Fore-and-aft Craft

Publisher: Chatham Publishing, £19.99
Publication Date: 2007

Lennarth Petersson is a Swedish modelmaker and draughtsman who has spent many years studying period rigs. This delightful picture book is not simply the nautical coffee-table book it seems at first sight, and exceeds its remit in two ways. Firstly his perspective line drawings are an absolute delight making the book a pleasure to peruse. His concise text (of which there are only 6 pages in the whole book) and model-maker’s eye for clear detail give a rare and fascinating insight into the construction and use of small sailing vessels in the late 18th century in Britain, France and America. Secondly for modelmakers but also if you are involved with sailing or rigging any kind of full sized traditional craft, this book is a goldmine of information. It has everything from belaying plans [where to tie off the halyards etc] and how to rig purchases, to detailed standing rigging schemes and how to reeve a deadeye. If you’re a sailor who loves ropes, this book is a must. – RC