Book excerpt: After a successful career in centreboard racing dinghies, Ian Oughtred became one of the leading lights of the British wooden boat revival, designing, building and sailing many remarkable craft. These boats have gained a world-wide reputation for their elegance of line, sound construction and execellent sailing performance. His perfectionist approach may be unbusinesslike, but provides highly refined designs and detailed plans. In this he hopes to encourage a return to a deep appreciation of traditional values of craftsmanship, believing this is the vital part of the true education, and thus helps to nourish the human spirit in an impoverished age.