Preview: L. Francis Herreshoff – Yacht Designer, A Book By Roger Taylor
* * *
OffCenterHarbor.com is a membership website with over 1,000 videos and articles
on boat handling, repairs, maintenance, boat building, dream boats and more.
Sign up above to learn more, and get 10 of our best videos.
* * *
July 26, 2016
Email this Video to a FriendL. Francis Herreshoff (LFH) is one of our favorite designers here at OffCenterHarbor.com, and all of us have had direct or indirect contact with many of the wonderful boats he created, as well as having been educated and inspired by his writings. LFH cast his net of influence wide—way, way beyond us—and it snagged Roger Taylor early, and held him firmly for most of his life.
Those of us who like to read about boats already owe Roger Taylor a lot for all that he published while heading up International Marine Publishing Co., including books by and about LFH. Now there’s even more to be grateful for.
Roger’s calling, in semi-retirement, has been to write a comprehensive biography of his mentor, L. Francis Herreshoff. In this first of two volumes, which takes us up to 1930, and with Mystic Seaport’s assistance as publisher and primary source for plans and photos, Roger has raised the “bar of excellence” to new heights in the marine publishing field.
Listen to the talk he gave at The Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle about his new book; its hero, LFH, and some of the boats he designed.
Get Free Videos Start Free Trial Members Sign In
Comments, Thoughts or Suggestions?You can leave a comment or question for OCH and members below. Here are the comments so far…
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
11 Responses So Far to “L. Francis Herreshoff – Yacht Designer, A Book By Roger Taylor”
or …
Dean Fletcher says:
As I type, remnants of TC. Tino are giving us fits with tremendous gusts and rain that is hard to describe. The boat heeling at her mooring ,everything loose is on the sole. A very good day for this lovely video. I thoroughly enjoyed the talk and the research behind the presentation, what a delight.A veritable who’s who of a bygone era and the beauty of the designs.
I can only add Thank you, Roger is wonderful character.
Regards.
Mikkel Pagh says:
What a wonderful talk. I will have to get a hold of his books. Thanks!
David Tew says:
Does anyone know if Roger intends to offer similar presentations about Volume II now that it’s been published?
Steve Stone says:
Good question, Dave. Yes, so far he’ll be doing one on Volume 2 in Burlington on June 25th and again at the WoodenBoat Show at Mystic on the 29th. Also in Seattle at the Center for Wooden Boats on July 19th. We’ll be recording that one for another video. Plus, with any luck, we’ll be getting Roger on another LFH boat with Maynard this summer for another video.
Peter Gossell says:
Thank you for a fantastic 3/4s of an hour. I have already read Rogers excellent book, and I’m sure, not for the last time. I had been waiting for it for 25 years and am now looking forward to part two. Thank you Roger.
Paul Atkins says:
Another great story road into the mix, love your work OCH.
Peter MacLearn says:
Wonderful video about a great designer from an amazing family. I just ordered the book. Thanks.
Nigel Lawrence says:
As an owner of one to LFH’s designs, I was quick to buy a copy of Roger’s book just as soon as it was released.
And let me commend it to all; it’s so beautifully written, so well researched, so insightful that I keep coming back to re-read, to learn, and to admire again and again. The same lovely, insightful character that Roger exudes through this video is reflected in his writing, too.
My boat was a later cruising design, so I need to wait for Volume 2 to find out more…
Peter North says:
One of the better videos posted on this site. I suppose I admit to some related interest. My great grandmother (Marie Nelson, originally Nilsen) was married to Soren Sorenson who was a professional captain of the Live Yankee R boat in Marblehead. As a boy, my father Howard E North (really Nygaard), use to accompany him on some of the boating activity.
Royal Declerck says:
A lovely story educating us on one of the great designers, thank you, Royal.
David Tew says:
Thanks for the video of Roger’s talk. We heard him speak in Camden (ME) and it’s interesting to hear it again in a different venue. I got the book and found I only read a few pages at a time before stopping to simply admire and digest the research that went into it and how well he writes. It’s truly remarkable.