I first met Dan Neri in the early 1990s when we were starting our Sundeer production boat program in Rhode Island. It was quickly apparent that Dan was the sharpest sailmaker with whom I had ever dealt.

Dan coupled a unique blend of real world experience–both cruising and racing–with practical experience in every phase of sailmaking. When the time came to develop the rig on a new cruising design, Dan was the first person I called. He helped us design rig proportions and sail inventories that were efficient and easy for our customers to us, and that would last for years.

Over the years that we've worked together, two things have always impressed me the most about Dan. One is his ability to build sails that stand up to the rigors of long-term cruising. The other is the easy way in which he can communicate how to keep those sails in good shape before they need maintenance–and then, what to do once work is required.

Which brings us to this wonderful book. Simply put, no sailor should be without The Complete Guide to Sail Care and Repair. Whether you are buying new sails, want to make your current sails last, or are faced with the need for repairs (either on your own, or at a sail loft)–this book will prove indispensable.

For those of you considering a new sail or sail inventory, the secrets and insights revealed in this book will help you to specify sails that will last longer. On the maintenance end, if you follow Dan's simple suggestions, you will avoid trips to the sailmaker (or the necessity of digging into your sail repair kit). His simple hints on sail cover construction alone could double the life of your mainsail. When the time comes to repair Dan provides an easy-to-use, beautifully illustrated step-by-step guide to each type of repair for all forms of sail construction and materials. And if you are trying to stretch the life of a sail that is close to retirement age, Dan has some surprising ideas for how to keep weakened sails going.

If you're a long-distance cruiser, you may one day find yourself needing a sail repair in a remote destination, working with a local tailor with a hand-operated sewing machine, and a language barrier to boot. In this situation, you will really love this book!

What I like the most about The Complete Guide to Sail Care and Repair is you don't have to read it at all, until you actually need it (just make sure you have on hand the materials Dan suggests for potential repairs). The information is organized so you can access the bare minimum required to accomplish the task at hand, or read about the issues in greater detail if you are so inclined. If you are ordering new sails–typically a major investment–you will want to look carefully at some of Dan's suggestions.

If we had known what was in this book 25 years ago, we could have saved ourselves a large chunk of money on sail maintenance, repair, and replacement in the ensuing years. Now that we've read the book, we've already made some changes to the way we do things on our own boat. In the years to come I'm sure all sailors will join me in thanking Dan Neri for his wonderful contribution to our sport.

- Steve Dashew

Author of Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia, Practical Seamanship, Mariner's Weather Handbook, and Surviving the Storm.