Tom Cunliffe first took charge of an engineless 20ft gaff sloop in 1961 when he was 14 years old. Since then he has sailed and skippered boats of all types from traditional craft both large and small to competitive modern racing yachts. He has voyaged in his own gaffers from the UK all over the world, from the Caribbean to Russia and from Brazil to the Arctic. The author of 30 books, Cunliffe is a columnist with Yachting Monthly and SAIL magazine, and a Yachtmaster Examiner. He was the presenter of The Boats That Built Britain (BBC Four/Two) and for many years owned the powerful 20-ton gaff cutter Westernman, which he sailed with his family from the south coast of England.

Tom Cunliffe is one of the world's greatest champions of traditional sailing boats, and is considered the guru of gaff rig sailors. Having worked these beautiful boats all his life, his knowledge is second to none.

In Hand, Reef & Steer - winner of the Best Book of the Sea Award - Tom explains the different sailing characteristics of classic craft and shares his knowledge of the special skills required to handle them. He describes how to manage heavy loads using tackles rather than winches and reveals the mysteries of making the boat work for you rather than fighting with her gear. He shares step by step advice on setting up the rig; sail handling skills (hoisting, setting and reefing) heavy and light air sailing; manouevring a long-keel boat; losing way, scandalizing and steering with sails, topsails, watersails, single-luff spinnakers and fisherman staysails; and much, much more.

And for this new edition Tom had added new material on modern gaffers, replicas and a whole new section on sailing aspirational large gaffers.

Hand, Reef & Steer, with its wonderful watercolour drawings and atmospheric photos, will delight all who love the unique character and grace of classic craft.

'Superb' Cruising

'A delightful book' WoodenBoat

A great book for anyone contemplating or using gaff rig and full of good seamanly advice for others.