{"product_id":"the-best-of-the-best-the-yacht-designs-of-sparkman-stephens","title":"The Best of the Best: The Yacht Designs of Sparkman \u0026 Stephens","description":"\u003cp\u003eWithin the pages of this long-awaited volume  the authors have sought to set forth some 100 of the most beautiful  most beloved S\u0026amp;S vessels  whose designs range across a surprisingly wide arc; including not just sleek and powerful ocean racers  but everything from production one-designs to customized mega-yachts. Here the boat is hero; quality of design the theme. With each selected yacht  the authors have suggested why that design was of special importance  either because of a technical breakthrough it made  because of trophies won or longevity  or simply because of the pleasure given by its lines to the observing eye. Interviews with and remembrances of the Stephens brothers and their successors have served as the authors guides for most of these boat biographies. For others  owners and sailing rivals of the yachts have been tapped for their recollections. Subtly  the case for superiority has been made in the case of each boat  although the authors admit that ultimately the final criterion for selection is quite subjective. Although no single volume  however capacious  could distill the essential elements of yachting in the twentieth century  the wonderfully detailed text and exhaustively (and beautifully) illustrated presentation of these selected significant Sparkman \u0026amp; Stephens designs provides an exceptionally revealing portrait of the evolution both of yacht design during the twentieth century and of racing and sailing practices. Olin J. Stephens II and Roderick Stephens  Jr.  who have been called the best \"seamen and designers of all time  two skills and two brothers unbreakably linked \" first committed themselves to the world of boats back in the early 1920s when they taught themselves how to sail amid the sandflats of Barnstable  Massachusetts. Since then  their innovative designs and outstanding record as sailors have inspired generations of followers  who will welcome the opportunity to see many of their finest creations highlighted in this volume.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44967274676277,"sku":"ByrdShop_0393024954","price":317.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780393024951.jpg?v=1770642289","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-best-of-the-best-the-yacht-designs-of-sparkman-stephens","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}