The Arts of the Sailor: Knotting, Splicing and Ropework

This book has some of the most clearly articulated and illustrated instructions I have ever encountered.

I bought this for my son - he just purchased his first sailboat. He loved the info and that it is such a compact size - he can keep it on the boat for quick reference. Though not as complete as "The Ashley Book of Knots" it does cover the basics. Great for beginners!

A great book chock full of interesting ideas to make your boat more seamanlike. The definative rope working book.

This book is a great introduction to all the arts and projects of seamen around the world. The author provides history as well as directions for each of the projects he presents.

Topics included in this book are knotting and rope-work (everything from functional to decorative); seamsmanship (for garments as well as heavier items like sails); leather working; and many others.

This book is a must for anyone bound on a sailing journey or for those just interested in the crafts practiced to fill time aboard ship.

This is another excellent piece by the late Hervey Garrett Smith. It's sort of a companion to "The Marlinspike Sailor" (ibid), though it is somewhat more expansive on many fundamental topics like knots, bends, whippings and seizings. There is a good bit of overlap between the two books, although this one is both more comprehensive and a smaller physical book (for your small onboard library...) "The Marlinspike Sailor" is more project oriented - and has excellent plans and diagrams for practical onboard ropework and sewing projects - while this book is focussed on the elements that go into such projects (without the actual examples). It's very traditional - as with all of Smith's period writing - with little or no reference to modern materials, but it's a posthumous reprint, so don't expect much updating... but the style is both informative and interesting without being dry or obtuse. "The Marlinspike Sailor" might actually be a better starting point for a true beginner (and it does contain a short update to 'modern' braided rope in the back), but I have them both and don't regret it.