Publisher's Synopsis
A well-built sailing vessel is a thing to behold, regarded for centuries - by both sailor and landlubber alike - as a sight so magnificent as to rival the light of the moon or the form of a beautiful woman. This book is a celebration of that beauty, beginning with a definition of exactly what a classic yacht is and explanations of the roles played by factors such as design, materials, vintage, size, and builder. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific boat, providing an indepth discussion of her provenance, construction, and sailing characteristics, with contextual framework given by comparisons to similar ships. Readers will discover how different countries - and different builders within them - developed their own unique solutions to common challenges to seaworthiness, speed, and maneuverability. Illustrated with photographs of the most gorgeous news-making vessels of the past century, the book features a lively text that conveys a real insider's knowledge of the fleet, with information about each yacht's construction, changes in ownership, America's Cup performances, and the rivalries and colourful personalities involved
