The Yachtsman’s Week-End Book (paperback)

A Timeless Companion for Sailors, Dreamers, and Lovers of the Sea

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