There have been several books written about journeys in Vertues.

The one that started it all was:

Vertue xxxv bookVertue XXXV by Humphrey Barton

Humphrey was the marketing manager for Laurent Giles and decided to complete an Atlantic crossing by the direct northerly route in 1957. At the time, he was the first small craft under 30 foot to complete this crossing. Vertue XXXV is an account of the crossing, which he completed with Kevin O’ Riordan in 37 days.

 

 

 

 

Ship Would Not West Book CoverThe Ship would not travel due West by David Lewis

This is an account of the inaugural singlehanded cross-Atlantic race, where David Lewis competed against Francis Chichester (who won the race in the Gypsy Moth II), ‘Blondie’ Hasler, and Val Howells, and Jean Lacombe.  They were made of sterner stuff in those days..

 

 

 

 

Restless WindThe Restless Wind by AG (Peter) Hamilton

This is an account of his single-handed journey from England to Quebec and then, with his wife, from Quebec on down the east coast of America, through the Panama Canal – all without an engine – then on to Tahiti, and back to California.  This is my personal favourite.

 

 

 

 

Woolass Blue BookVertue (Blue Book) by Peter Woolass

This was privately published in 1973 by Peter Woolass to, in his words, ‘gather together existing  shreds of information which, over long years, have been written and said about the Vertue’.  It’s a gold mine of information for any Vertue enthusiast and details pretty much all the Vertues built before 1973 (149 detailed).

 

 

 

Stelda George and IStelda George and I by Peter Woolass

This is an account of Peter Woolass’s single handed journey in Stelda, from England to Barbados.  George is in fact the self-steering gear that he created (and describes in detail in his book Vertue).

 

 

 

 

 

my old man and seaMy Old Man and the Sea by David & Daniel Hays

This is an account of a father and son who decide to sail Sparrow, a GRP Vertue through the Caribbean to the Panama Canal,  then on to the  Galapagos Islands, Easter Island, before rounding Cape Horn and the Falklands.

Sailing with Vancouver
Sailing with Vancouver by Sam McKinney
Thanks to Michael Vaughan, owner of  V218, Island Vertue in Tasmania, for letting me know about Sailing with Vancouver.  This is the story of Sam McKinney’s decision, to retrace Captain George Vancouver’s 1790’s exploration of the Pacific NorthWest Coast, from Puget Sound to Queen Charlotte Strait.  He completed the trip singlehanded in V142 Kea, which he bought as a present to himself on his 70th birthday.

If you know of any other books that feature Vertues, please leave a comment and let me know.