In 1995, I was invited to a lake in the Adirondack Mountains, New York. In the evening, the fog would settle on the lake. By the time I would take my hand-made wooden rowboat out on the water, the fog would be gently lifting. One day, in the mist [...]]]> Photographer Michael Khan writes:

In 1995, I was invited to a lake in the Adirondack Mountains, New York. In the evening, the fog would settle on the lake. By the time I would take my hand-made wooden rowboat out on the water, the fog would be gently lifting. One day, in the mist of the coming morning, I came across a boat so unusual and beautiful in design that I felt compelled to photograph her. Hours later, the serenity of the morning shot was long forgotten, but the image was still there. I came home and didn’t know what to do with the portfolio. I did some research and learned an old recipe for sepia-toning the photographs that I had taken that day. After working in the darkroom and testing the new technique, I came up with a selection that I sent to the magazine Adirondack Life. Not long after, they contacted me and ending up running a six-page spread of these images. The Bow of the Idem (featured here in the picture behind me) was one from that day, and it marked the beginning of my nautical photography career.

Seldom in human history has something as beautiful and functional as the sailboat been created. It is lovely and graceful yet powerful and purposeful. The romance of the sail and the potential to capture the vessel is unlimited. From this perspective, I was driven to share the art that inhibits these time-captured treasures. I created this book (The Spirit of Sailing) to celebrate the joy of sailing and salute the preservation efforts of the passionate and dedicated people who perpetuate this time-honored pastime. We love sailing for its similitude of life itself- the memories of the storms and fog soon fade when the sun comes out and the wind blows fair. I hope my photographs allow these elements to live on where they can be treasured far beyond a fleeting moment of morning.

The Spirit of Sailing, in its fourth printing, features over 60 of Michael’s dramatic sepia-toned photographs of sailboats and water. This coffee volume book is eloquently set beside quotes in praise of sailing and the sea. With his 1950’s camera, Michael Kahn travels extensively to photograph the world’s finest boats and pristine seascapes. He collects his images on traditional black and white film and then produces luminous silver gelatin prints in his darkroom.

A boat load of new books have arrived at the Nautical Mind in the past month.  They include:

SOLAS Consolidated Edition, 2011 on [...]]]>

A boat load of new books have arrived at the Nautical Mind in the past month.  They include:

SOLAS Consolidated Edition, 2011 on CD-ROM by International Maritime Organization – $139.95

In the King’s Name by Alexander Kent – $29.95

The Guidelines on the IMO STCW Convention by SF – $120.95

Commercial Management in Shipping by D. L. Dykstra – $119.95

When the Chestnut Was In Flower: Inside the Chestnut Canoe by Roger MacGregor – $49.95

RYA Introduction to Motorboat Handling by Jon Mendez – $31.95

Model Boat Building Made Simple by Steve Rogers – $25.95

Ocean Liner Collectibles by Myra Outwater – $39.95

Ship Vetting and its Application to LNG: Essential Best Practices for the Ind. by IGTTO – $94.95

Reed’s VHF/DSC Handbook by Sue Fletcher – $29.00

Dolphins Under my Bed by Sandra Clayton – $18.00

Oilfield Seamanship Series, Vol. 9: Dynamic Positioning by Michael Hancox – $255.95

L’ Artesien: Vaisseau de 64 Canons, 1753 – 1785 by Jacques Fichant – $299.95

Navigators Assistant CD-ROM – $180.95

Scale Model Steam Boats by Phillip Vaughan Williams – $31.95

The Complete Chief Officer by Capt. Michael Lloyd – $54.95

Peter Isler’s Little Blue Book of Sailing Secrets by Peter Isler – $23.95

Sight Solver HO 229 – $9.95

The Bremen & Europa – German Speed Queens of the Atlantic by illoughby J Russell – $71.95

Insider’s Guide to Choosing and Buying a Yacht by Duncan Kent – $33.95

Sailing Yachts and Yarns by Tom Cunliffe – $29.95

Don’t Shoot the Albatross: Nautical Myths and Superstitions by Johnathan Evers – $16.00

Sea of Lost Dreams (a Dugger/Nello Novel) by Ferenc Mate – $29.00

The Fur-Trade Fleet: Shipwrecks of the Hudson’s Bay Company by Anthony Dalton – $11.95

How to Use Plastic Sextants by David & Tobias Burch Burch – $23.95

Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen by Mary Blewitt – $18.00

Lofting a Boat: A Step-by-Step Manual by Roger Kopanycia – $38.00

Can Squid Fly? by Tony Rice – $18.00

Flip Cards: Meterology by Britmar – $18.95

Flip Cards: Morse Code by Britmar – $18.95

Flip Cards: Marine Radio by Britmar – $18.95

ISM (International Safety Management) Code & Guidelines (French edition) by Internatioal Maritime – $26.95

MARPOL Consolidated Edition, 2006 (French edition) by International Maritime Organization – $105.95

A Great Lakes Treasury of Old Postcards: Canadian Harbour Scenes 1894-1960 by Lorenzo, MD Marcolin – $24.99

Risk Management in Port Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Security by Khalid, Mike Bell & Andrew Evans Bichou – $244.95

Code International de Signaux by International Maritime Organization – $113.95

Legendary Liners 1881 to 1969 by Les Streater – $89.95

Bayswater Shipping by Tom & Skip Gillham Brewer – $20.00

RYA Racing Rules Explained by Trevor Lewis – $30.95

International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code (French edition) by nternational Maritime Organization – $32.95

The third edition of their cruising classic, The Capable Cruiser has just come  out.  It’s fully revised and [...]]]> For over thirty years, Lin and Larry Pardey have been sailing around the world, writing about their adventures, and showing others how to follow them.  Unlike most modern cruisers they sail without any engine whatsoever!

The third edition of their cruising classic, The Capable Cruiser has just come  out.  It’s fully revised and updated, and has nine all new chapters including: ways to encourage your partner to share your dream; strategies for turning sudden engine failure into a minor incident; choosing safety equipment; repairing rigging at sea; and and “What do people worry about that never actually happens”.