CA Marchaj

[sailaway21]

I've finsihed the author's "Seaworthiness: The forgotten factor" and am now on his "Sail Performance: techniques to maximize sail power".

Both are quite good, although the former is a bit dated and, with either, it helps if you've had some prior exposure to naval architecture. Mr. Marchaj is rather opinionated but then he does explain why he is so. Both books reveal much of the designers quest's in sailboat development, although neither is the right book for those seeking to extract another tenth of a knot out of their old ark. I'd probably recommend startiong with "Sail Performance" before tackling "Seaworthiness" although I'm doing so in reverse. Both are great additions to any sailor's library with a wonder about things wind-driven.

[Valiente]

If you like vintage screeds, check out "Sail Power" by Wallace Ross. It came out in '73 and is also dated in parts, but luckily I had a 1973 racer-cruiser when I bought the book and it really helped me understand certain aspects of sail trim that speeded the transit from "do this because it's the right way" to "do this because it's instinctually understood".