John Irving, Douglas Service and Douglas Phillips-Birt bring together practical seamanship, nautical history, sailing lore and writing about life at sea. This hardback edition of The Yachtsman’s Week-End Book includes illustrations by Beryl Irving.
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First published in 1938 and now presented in a beautifully restored edition, The Yachtsman’s Week-End Book by John Irving, Douglas Service, and Douglas Phillips-Birt remains one of the most cherished works of maritime literature. Designed as a sailor’s “week-end companion,” it is part almanac, part seafaring manual, and part love letter to the sea.
Inside, readers discover a captivating blend of practical wisdom and nautical nostalgia — from the art of knot-making, yacht racing rules, and weather lore to seafaring songs, coastal wildlife, and the traditions of British sailing clubs. Irving’s essays, such as “Ships That Have Passed” and “Well-Whipped Ropes’ Ends,” evoke a vivid world of barques, barges, and luggers that once filled the coastal waters of England and Scotland.
Highlights include:
Beautifully illustrated with line drawings by Beryl Irving
Insightful chapters on rigging, seamanship, cooking aboard, and sailing etiquette
A lyrical voyage through Britain’s lost working boats and coastal traditions
A Suitable choice for yachtsmen, historians, and maritime collectors
This New and Revised Edition (1963) preserves the charm and authenticity of the original Week-End Book series, beloved for its wit, elegance, and craftsmanship. Whether read in the cabin at anchor or by the fireside on shore, The Yachtsman’s Week-End Book captures the enduring spirit of adventure, craftsmanship, and quiet reflection that defines the sea.
Ideal For:
Yachting enthusiasts • Maritime historians • Collectors of classic nautical books • Lovers of British seafaring heritage
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