Setting Sail In America
Setting Sail In America is a large format coffee table book written by Alan Silken, Vice Commodore of the Narragansett Bay Herrehsoff S Class fleet. The book features eye-catching photographs of Herreshoff S boats by one of the world’s premiere yachting photographers, Cory Silken.
"Captain Nat" Herreshoff, who designed the S Class boat in 1919, is the most famous American yacht designer, with an accomplished history of boat building and innovation. From Bristol, Rhode Island, Herreshoff designed eight consecutive America's Cup defenders, from 1893-1934. The first owners of the S Class boats were also remarkable leaders of industry in the United States, and their stories are as intriguing as the boats are beautiful.
2019 marks the 100th Anniversary of the S Class design, with the first boat launched in 1920. Setting Sail in America is an homage to Class, and takes the reader on a compelling journey through the history of the S boat- a journey that visits milestones in American society, politics, business, and social life. The Herreshoff S Class is the oldest American one-design fleet still racing the original boats, with active fleets in Cape Cod, Long Island Sound, and Narragansett Bay.
Chapters are devoted to the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, a biography of NG Herreshoff, the history of the S boat fleets and the yacht clubs that hosted them, as well as chapters on over 40 S boats and their early owners, all of whom were remarkable for their contributions to life in America.
Thi is the only comprehensive book devoted to these extraordinary yachts!
BOOK LECTURE EVENTS
Contact us to schedule an event in your location.
Alan and Cory Silken speaking to a sold out crowd at the Herreshoff Marine Museum
Previous events include:
Herreshoff Marine Museum, US Power Squadron, Titcomb Bookshop, New York Yacht Club, Mystic Seaport Wooden Boat Show, Silken Gallery Launch Party, Larchmont Yacht Club, and more!
About The Authors
A lifelong sailor, Alan Silken has been campaigning Firefly with his son, Cory, since 2005. In the past, Alan was an active competitor at the Yale Corinthian Yacht Club. Alan has been published in Sail Magazine and a number of poetry magazines, as well as editing The Curved Mast, the newsletter of the Narragansett Bay S Class.
Cory Silken photographing the Pendennis Shipyard Rendezvous at Christophe Harbour, St. Kitts.
Cory Silken is one of the world's preeminent yachting photographers. From his Gallery in Newport, Silken travels the globe on assignment for some of the top superyacht shipyards and regatta sponsors, and creates private books for some of the most discerning yacht owners. He is honored as the 11th Hour Racing Visual Ambassador, promoting environmental sustainability through yachting. Visit www.CorySilken.com to learn more.
Pre-Release Video