Hand, Reef and Steer

Hand, Reef & Steer is a definitive guide to traditional sailing skills, written by Tom Cunliffe—one of the world’s foremost authorities on gaff rig and classic boats.

Winner of the Best Book of the Sea Award, this practical and beautifully illustrated book explores the sailing characteristics of classic craft, covering the specialist skills required to handle them. Tom Cunliffe shares invaluable insights into managing heavy loads using tackles instead of winches, setting up the rig efficiently, and harnessing the boat’s natural handling abilities rather than fighting with its gear.

This new edition includes expanded content on modern gaffers, replicas, and an all-new section on handling large gaffers.

What’s Inside:

• Step-by-step guidance on hoisting, setting, and reefing sails
• Heavy and light air sailing techniques
• Maneuvering long-keel boats
• Scandalizing and steering with sails
• Working with topsails, watersails, and single-luff spinnakers
• Handling fisherman staysails and aspirational large gaffers

Illustrated with stunning watercolour drawings and atmospheric photos, Hand, Reef & Steer is an essential companion for anyone passionate about traditional sailing.

About the Author

Tom Cunliffe has spent decades cruising across Europe, the Caribbean, Russia, Brazil, and the Arctic. He is an RYA Yachtmaster examiner and a training consultant for Sailing USA. A respected voice in the sailing world, he is a regular columnist for Sailing Today, Classic Boat, Yachting World (UK), and SAIL (USA).

Hand, Reef & Steer is a definitive guide to traditional sailing skills, written by Tom Cunliffe—one of the world’s foremost authorities on gaff rig and classic boats.

Winner of the Best Book of the Sea Award, this practical and beautifully illustrated book explores the sailing characteristics of classic craft, covering the specialist skills required to handle them. Tom Cunliffe shares invaluable insights into managing heavy loads using tackles instead of winches, setting up the rig efficiently, and harnessing the boat’s natural handling abilities rather than fighting with its gear.

This new edition includes expanded content on modern gaffers, replicas, and an all-new section on handling large gaffers.

What’s Inside:

• Step-by-step guidance on hoisting, setting, and reefing sails
• Heavy and light air sailing techniques
• Maneuvering long-keel boats
• Scandalizing and steering with sails
• Working with topsails, watersails, and single-luff spinnakers
• Handling fisherman staysails and aspirational large gaffers

Illustrated with stunning watercolour drawings and atmospheric photos, Hand, Reef & Steer is an essential companion for anyone passionate about traditional sailing.

About the Author

Tom Cunliffe has spent decades cruising across Europe, the Caribbean, Russia, Brazil, and the Arctic. He is an RYA Yachtmaster examiner and a training consultant for Sailing USA. A respected voice in the sailing world, he is a regular columnist for Sailing Today, Classic Boat, Yachting World (UK), and SAIL (USA).