First edition of this now classic work. Norman L. Skene was a graduate of MIT in naval architecture and worked with Starling Burgess, the designer of several America's Cup racing yachts. He later was a partner in the firm of Paine, Belknap & Skene, naval architects. Ref. TOY 4794; MORRIS & HOWLAND p.126. Bound in dark blue cloth over boards with spine titled in gilt, upper board with gilt device stamped at center. Minor extremity wear, picture of a sailing dinghy pasted to front pastedown, table of weights and strengths of Manila rope on rear pastedown. Small pencil sketches of two hulls and relevant brief notations by prior owner on rear blank leaf. Hinges sound. Attractive copy, near fine overall. Original cloth over boards. Octavo. [viii], 77 pages plus plates and ads