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The Complete Guide to Sail Care & Repair

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:39:43 +0000

Click here to order The Complete Guide to Sail Care & Repair.

This book by master sailmaker Dan Neri will save you thousands of dollars, and significantly increase the life of your sails. “Simply put this book is superb…You will want to read it from cover to cover.” (All at Sea magazine)

We’ve posted a video to tell you more about this book. You can also find more info by clicking on one of the links below.

More info:

Check out the Table of Contents.
Browse the entire Index.
Here are some sample chapters: Introduction and Working with Sail Lofts.
Read the reviews.
Read Dan Neri’s bio.
All our books are backed up by a 90-day unconditional guarantee as well as a lifetime saltwater guarantee.

Into the Light: A Family’s Epic Journey

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:38:55 +0000

Click here to order Into the Light: A Family’s Epic Journey.

A family of five explores the Arctic on a 33-foot sailboat, capturing their adventures in a story hailed by critics as “Spellbinding” “Seductive”, and “A fine literary debut”. Dave and Jaja Martin have a unique and compelling approach to the way they live their lives. If you’re looking for the inspiration to cut the lines and sail away, you’ll find it here.

More info:

Enjoy this sample chapter: Narrow Escape.
Read some of the reviews.
Check out Dave & Jaja’s bio.
Visit Dave & Jaja’s website IceBlinkSail.com.
Watch for the PBS documentary Ice Blink, based on the Martins’ adventures first recorded in Into the Light.
All our books are backed up by a 90-day unconditional guarantee as well as a lifetime saltwater guarantee.

Sail Care & Repair reviews

admin — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:14:09 +0000

Caribbean Compass

Beowulf does it again. The cruising Dashew family’s publishing powerhouse has now focused its energy–via author Dan Neri–on the subject of selecting, maintaining and repairing sails. Dan Neri, after establishing a successful independent sail loft and then becoming director of sailmaking for North Sails US, is now in charge of the North Sails Cruising Division. His step-by-step instructions, check lists and the book’s many detailed photos and drawings will help you help your sails. What did your last sail repair cost? Could you have done it yourself–or perhaps even avoided the damage entirely? Investing in this book could save you major money in the long run by significantly increasing the useful life of your sails. Sailmakers might want to keep a copy handy in the loft for care-and-repair reference, too! All at Sea Magazine Dan Neri built one of the largest sail lofts in North America. He then sold it to North Sails, where he now works as head of their Cruising Sails Division. Drawing on his vast experience as a sailmaker Neri has written a book dealing with this esoteric subject. In his introduction, Neri states: “I don’t expect anyone will read this book from cover to cover–as it is better to read it as a workshop manual.” Neri is wrong. Simply put this book is superb, you will want to read it from cover to cover. Richly illustrated, the information obtained from the captions accompanying the photographs only, justify the book’s cover price. Sidebars at the beginning of each chapter walk the reader directly to the relevant information, which is presented in a down-to-earth, no-nonsense way. Neri takes you to the factory where they manufacture the various sailcloth. He then accompanies you into the sail loft and guides you through the intricacies of buying a new sail or having a damaged one repaired. And there’s more. Neri knows what it’s like to carry out emergency repairs to a vital sail while far from land–and that golden nugget is right there on the salty pages of his book. In one chapter, Neri tells the reader of a visit to the sail loft at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Describing what he saw, Neri points out that the sail lofts that served the old whaling ship differ little from the modern lofts of today. For me such observations give this book a timeless quality. The author has mastered the age-old skills of sail making and, putting them into historic perspective, written a book for contemporary yachtsmen that will carry them forward into the 21st century. – Gary Brown

Voiles & Voiliers Magazine (France)

Dan Neri, head of the North Sails Cruising Division has written a guide that is very useful to cruising people…This 232-page book is illustrated with many photos and drawings that help you to take care of your sails while cruising and to better understand your sailmaker. With this guide you can also do some repairs yourself. (review translated from French)

Bluewater Sailing Magazine

The Complete Guide to Sail Care & Repair by Newport sailmaker Dan Neri, delivers just what the title suggests, a complete guide to taking care of your boat’s primary engine, the sails. Care of your sails begins with maintaining them properly, thus avoiding, or at least postponing the repair part of this book, and while the sailmakers of the world might not appreciate one of their own telling sailors how to spend less money at their loft, for the rest of us, this is a valuable book. Beginning with the design and construction of sails, there are things you can do, or have done, that will significantly increase their useful life, from proper batten pocket design to chafe prevention to hardware attachment. Neri runs North Sails’ cruising sails division, but his loyalties, as expressed in this book, are to the sailors, not the sailmakers, with refreshing honesty as he compares independent vs franchise lofts, that “a well- known logo is not always an indication of a superior standard of operation.” The book is published by Steve and Linda Dashew’s publishing house, Beowulf Press (800-421-3819) and it has the familiar maroon cover of all their fine books. It is marvelously complete, and I speak here as the person who edited the book; having read it completely at least a half-dozen times. From the inception, the idea was to make this the one book a sailor should have onboard to ensure the sails were made right, taken care of properly and repaired correctly. On the subject of repairs, Neri takes a very practical approach. While there is a chapter devoted to the selection and use of a heavy-duty sewing machine, there is much attention paid to the handsewing methods and repairs that will not only get you home, but also function well and durably. The restoration of old, tired sails will be of interest to any cruiser who wants to get just one more tradewind passage out of that old main. The repairs, reinforcements and rejuvenation of old sails are dealt with very thoroughly, and while you will never make something out of nothing, you can certainly make something out of very little with Neri’s assistance. The photographs are worthy of mention. Although they are all black and white, they are clear, sharp and well done. They show exactly what needs to be seen to illustrate the techniques, and there are extreme close-up shots showing sewing needles, stitches and sewing techniques that are unequivocally clear. This isn’t a book to sit down and read; it’s a book to thumb through to become familiar with it, and then set it aside until you need it. It’s well indexed, has summaries of each page’s content at the margin and is designed to be a reference source. In this, it works admirably. – Greg Jones

Click here to order The Complete Guide to Sail Care & Repair.

Into the Light reviews

admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:10:46 +0000

“(One of)…the best books of 2002…Told with warmth, humor, and concern for their children’s safety, well-being and education with which every parent will identify.” Latitude 38 magazine “An astonishing testamant to the resilience of steel boats and human beings…” Cruising magazine “Into the Light is a passionately felt, wonderfully lyrical account of a family’s journey of discovery. With humor, philosophy, and its fair share of spine-tingling adventure, this book is destined to become a classic.” Steve Dashew “An inspiration…a remarkable literary debut.” Great Lakes Boating magazine “On Tuesday night I opened Into the Light; on Wednesday morning, I ditched my planned work and finished the book. It is a genuine accomplishment, and I was absolutely drawn (and happily almost drowned) in the story. I was unprepared for the dreaminess of the book-the seductive rhythms of past and present voyages, sea and land adventures, natural and human disasters and delights. I have read a lot of explorer narratives, and I am a fan of intrepid people and their stories (the Martins really are impressive). But I rarely feel I know exactly what is happening at sea as I am a genuine landlubber and am not sure I could tell a mast from a maypole. The details of rigging and bilges and bows, however, were so perfectly integrated into the action that I felt I was not only on board, but able to be of some use should another wind gust or ice floe assault Driver.” Michael Downing, author, Mother of God, A Narrow Time, Perfect Agreement, Spring Forward, and Breakfast with Scot “…An exciting true-life story that ranks with giants like John Krakauer’s account of his Mount Everest climb, Into Thin Air…It is spell-binding and well written.” Lloyd Ferriss, Portland Press Herald “Three years, 11,000 miles, family of five, 610 miles from the North Pole…Into the Light is a rare book, a well-told story blessed by adventure.” Greg Jones, Editor, Sailing “The text sparkles…” Ken Bern, New Bern Sun Journal “Dave and Jaja Martin have always displayed courage, resilience, and wit as they charted a course across the world’s vast oceans. But with Into the Light, the story of their remarkable three-year arctic voyage, the Martins have broken new ground in both their writing and exploration. A vivid account of a true family adventure, Into the Light delivers a subtle but important message while sweeping the reader up for one wild ride.” Herb McCormick, New York Times columnist and Editor, Cruising World “Written for the whole family, from grade schoolers to grandparents…Three parts adventure story, one part pure practical advice…It all adds up to…(an) exciting read.” Wren Wertin, Vail Daily “Dave and Jaja Martin tell of their experiences sailing to the Far North, on a meager budget and with three small children. This book chronicles their voyage, their growth as a family, and their philosophical development. Throughout the book they offer colorful aphorisms.” Book News “…Much more than a sailing voyage into the high latitudes. It is first and foremost a study of the personal dynamics, growth, and development of an enchanting family on their voyage of discovery to untamed and unspoiled nature…(with) page-turning moments of dry-mouthed terror and danger.” Good Old Boat magazine “…Best cruising narrative ever.” Kent Williams, Armchair Sailor Bookstore, Seattle, WA “As I am reading your book, tears are streaming down my face…You’re proof of my belief that living in the moment and the Power of Now is the only way to live at any age. My granddaughter, who is a sailor and a conventional world traveller presented me with your book as a Christmas present, and I am ordering several copies to give to friends…May God bless you and the children. The gift you have given them is the most valuable gift that any parents can give their children.” Signy Schade, reader “…It has been our bedtime story for the summer and (our daughters) have enjoyed it immensely…Your articles and book have allowed me to include my kids in your kids’ adventures, expanding their sailing horizons beyond our home waters. My family’s vote: Keep the stories coming!” Chris, Savannah, and Emily, readers “Your new book…is fantastic!…Please write another book asap! You give us hope for our own dreams…Driver, please keep them safe.” Emile and Isabelle du Toit, readers “…A real page turner…It’s just a delight, and I’m enjoying every word of it!…Tell (Dave and Jaja) how much I’m enjoying their adventures – and I’m definitely NOT a sailing type!” Sondra Lyman, reader “…I have recently returned from a holiday in the Canaries and spent my time reading Into the Light. I must say that I found it a most interesting read. The style of writing, and the recollection of detail was extremely attractive. Please wish (the authors) the best of luck in their current cruising.” Dermot Mooney, reader “I just finished reading Into the Light and loved it. David and Jaja’s writing style is refreshing, kind of a cross between Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and Lin and Larry Pardey’s books. I am inspired by their shear determination for family adventure. This book is a wonderful example of a parenting philosophy that is focused on everything that is good.” Mike Montgomery, reader “Your writing is so inspirational and informative, we know that the book will be a huge success. We think that you made the right decision to redirect the central theme of the book from “how to” to “why to.” There are lots of “how to” books out there, but the story of your family will change lives…We too are very much interested in high latitude sailing: and we expect that Into the Light (even the title is inspirational) will not only motivate us, but give some of the information that we will need in our coming endeavours aboard S/V Jean Marie. God bless your family and the good ship Driver. ” Tom & Jean Service, readers “First of all I would like to complain that I haven’t been getting much sleep lately and it’s your fault. Because I keep just reading one more chapter.” Kim and Spider, readers “Kudos to Dave and Jaja – and SetSail.com – for producing such a fine book…personally reflective, professionally (in terms of cruising) enlightening, and well-written prose! They’re awesome. It’s definitely more than just another cruising book.” Judson Berry, reader “What a fantastic read, I couldn’t put it down!” Jack Coulter, reader “I am almost finished with the book and love it…The book is wonderful.” Capt. Hugh, reader “I think it is an excellent book.” Anne Hays, reader “I finished Into the Light in approx. 12 hours! I could not put it down! You have captured our spirits and the possibilities we can give our two boys now of 3 and 4 years old. Carry on! ” Derek Endress, reader “We are to bring the book we enjoyed most this year to the book club, and I am taking Into the Light.” Hazel Hall, reader “Just wanted to let you know we bought Dave & Jaja’s book at the Annapolis sailboat show in Oct and have both finished reading it – it is POWERFUL, humorous and so well written that we can’t wait for the next book! I felt like I was sailing and actually feeling their experiences with them! Hats off to a wonderful book – we have read MANY sailing books but nothing so gripping as this one! Keep them writing!” Sally Pinches, reader “After reading Into The Light I have decided to purchase and build a Bruce Roberts 55′ steel kit (curently under construction) and go cruising.” reader, by email “I couldn’t put it down! I felt like I was with your family the entire time…I loved how each…adventure led into the next and the next, and you let the wind and your hearts guide you. You and Jaja inspired me, and your book has brought a lot of joy to a lot of people, and looks like it will continue to do so.” Richard Zinno, reader

Click here to order Into the Light: A Family’s Epic Journey.

Bio for Dan Neri, author of Sail Care & Repair

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:37:12 +0000

Dan Neri and his partner Ken Read built the most successful independent sail loft in the US, and their sails won regattas and offshore races throughout the world. In addition to a strong following among cruising sailors, Dan was the premier source for short-handed racers’ sail design and construction in the US. Dan and Ken later sold their loft to North Sails, where they both still work. For a number of years Dan was director of sailmaking for North US, and he’s now in charge of the North Cruising Sail Division. Dan in high demand as one of the top racing sailors in the world, and consults with owners and designers on cruising and racing boats, their rigs, rigging, and sails. He and his family have also cruised extensively, most recently with a nine-month sojourn into the Caribbean.

Click here to order The Complete Guide to Sail Care & Repair.