Everett A. Pearson

[hawkeye]

This is my first post, and I hope this is a good spot to put it. I do not own a triton, but I am a patient man.

I picked up a copy of "The Lure of Sailing" by E. Pearson at a used book shop, and what a great find! This book was written in the height of the old school triton era (we are in the new era now), and you can really see his love for the tritons in this book. There is also a wealth of triton images in this book. It is worth every penny of the eight dollars I paid for it.

[Eric]

alibris lists 27 copies from $3 to $30 depending on edition and condition. I just snagged a first ed with jacket in Good+ condition for $8.39 including shipping.

Thanks for the tip!

[bcooke]

I didn't know this book existed either. I will have to check it out.

I do not own a triton...

You are forgiven as long as you acknowledge that they are great boats :-)
Actually, I think the Triton owners are a minority on this board but they make up for it by being excessively verbose.

-Britton

[Robert The Gray]

the pearson book has some great shots of a triton raft up. pearson writes with an engaging style. some of the material is of course outdated but it has a woderful spirit
robert

[bcooke]

Okay now, I have read half the book and I am ready to say something about it.

If you wanted to learn about buying and sailing a boat it might make an interesting introduction but the attempts to educate are woefully inadequate. Nothing is addressed in enough detail to be very useful.

On the other hand the book is great from an historical perspective and from that point of view makes a great addition to the library. I find the pictures of shiny new Tritons in "stock" condition quite refreshing and to read what the designers had in mind when they were building this generation of boats is insightful. They actually thought those Triton icebox's were the greatest thing since sliced bread. Interestingly, Pearson writes that the Triton was designed with more beam and more freeboard and to sail more upright than the previous generations of cruising boats. The previous generation boats must have been very narrow, low and tippy.

The sexism is so extreme as to be funny (to a guy anyway).

"To enhance the cheerful convenience and comfort below decks, the lady of the family frequently has a choice from a wide selection of decorator colors. Additionally, she can personalize the interior to reflect her individual tastes, blending combinations to best advantage. With her interior decorating skills thus displayed, the mate will thrill to her beautiful home at sea season after season"(163).

If that quote doesn't offend you then the whole section on women's clothing is just hilarious. What makes this all the more amusing is that Everett is actually serious and has no idea how offensive he is. It really brings "Leave it to Beaver" alive.

If you want to know "why" the designers/builders put <fill in blank> right there then this is the book to explain their logic. If you are interested in the history of the "plastic classic" revolution then this is an interesting read. If you want to learn something about sailing then there are much better books out there.

-Britton

[Tim]

What makes this all the more amusing is that Everett is actually serious and has no idea how offensive he is.

Of course, in 1960 or whenever, such descriptions weren't considered offensive--it was a different era, and that sort of thing was the norm. I sure hope that anyone who picks up any older book can be prepared to deal with oddly or inappropriately phrased material, and determine the difference between statements that were in line with the thinking of the time period, even if it is mismatched with today's society, and truly offensive material.

The period pictures are worth the price alone, which is why I bought a copy some time ago. A worthy addition to any Pearson owner's library.