Finding books at Used book stores

[Sailing-Randy]

I love finding a boatbuilding/sailing book at used bookstores. I don't think I am alone!

Two weeks from today I will be in Chicago for 4 days and was wondering if anybody would care to share good used book stores where they tend to carry such books. I know we're all looking for that great "find," but being here in Nebraska, I don't get the chance to look much, except on Ebay.

Station 17 in Minneapolis always seems to have a selection of sailing/personal account type books if anyone is in the area.

So, can I get any help? The name as it appears in the phone boom would be great! Thanks in advance!

[Donn]

Powell's is probably the best source in Chicago.

[Bruce Hooke]

Well, I can't help you on Chicago but I can say that Alibris and Abe Books have lightened my wallet many times and provided me with many fine books about boats and many other subjects as well. I can even feel good about patronizing them because they are both tied into networks of used book dealers, small and large.

- Bruce

[ahp]

Add to Bruces two, Bibliofind.com

[Nicholas Carey]

Powell's Chicago is at http://www.chicagobookstores.net/

Here's a directory for you: http://www.chicagobookstores.net/

And try the Chicago Theological Seminary Co-Op Bookstore, too. http://www.semcoop.com/ -- their speciality is academic titles, but their awfully comprehensive. Same neighborhood as Powell's (Hyde Park -- south side)

If you know what you want (or are in Seattle), check out these places:

SEAOCEAN BOOK BERTH
3534 STONEWAY N 98103 0675-9020
fax: 675-9029
email: seaoceanbooks@seanet.com
TUES-SAT 11-7
MARINE, MARITIME & NAUTICAL

The ArmChair Sailor
2110 Westlake Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone 206/283-0858, 800/875-0852
Fax 206/285-1935
http://www.armchairsailorseattle.com/

Captain's Nautical Supply
2500 15th Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: 206/283-7242, 800/448-2278
Fax: 206/281-4921
http://www.captainsnautical.com/
sales@captains.yachtoutfitters.com

For a mere $3300 or so, you can have one of their handmade 3" telescopes, machined from solid brass stock:



[ 01-20-2003, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: Nicholas Carey ]

[Donn]

Don't pass on Powell's Warehouse store in favor of the website. I've probably spent several weeks worth of hours in Powell's, watching the "street business." Wino walks in with a grocery bag full of books, and 16 regulars start to gravitate toward the counter...lurking to see what comes out of the bag. The buyer politely pays the wino a as much as a dollar per book, and prices them on the spot...dropping them on a cart, for a clerk to shelve. Sometimes all the books make it to the shelves...sometimes none of them do. It's a great way to spend a few hours in Chicago. Best time is first thing in the morning. Next best is late at night. Bring money and really strong canvas totes...you will buy books.

[Sailing-Randy]

Thanks, guys! It looks like Powell's Warehouse is a must! I have suspected that many books never make it to the web sites. Station 17 is like that - no hook up to the net at all.

I would have never thought of looking to Chicago Theo book, but hey, I might find something else good there!

Again, thanks!

[Wild Dingo]

Hey Randy howd you get on with looking at the plans of the spray? decided on when your going to start?

[Sailing-Randy]

Hi Shane,

I've had the plans out a couple of times and get lost in the details. Unfortunately, I feel the time slipping by and I can't get out to the garage to clear up projects already there. Sigh

I did figure a way to get them out of a 4" PVC tube, have a quick look, say an hour or two, and roll them back up with having them get all beat up. I took two old slats from a neighbor's remodeling job and screwed them together to make a giant clamp. The clamp holds all the sheets on one end. This keeps them nice and aligned so the edges don't get all banged up.

Other than that, life goes on, hectic as always!

[Sailing-Randy]

Hi Friends,

Just an update on what I found used-book store hunting in Chicago.

First I want to thank you for the leads to stores!

And the good news: I came home with 28 books. One I brought with, 6 given to me at the conference, 2 picked out of boxes outside of Powell’s in Hyde Park and the rest purchased new or used for myself or family members.

I picked up two boaty-type books. "Hooper Bay Kayak Construction" which is a photo and written journal of Dick Bunyan building a kayak the way they used to. (I've seen it offered in WoodenBoat) A friend of mine serves in Alaska and knew Dick's son before he died. I paid $12 for my copy at the northern Powell’s and it looks like it had been packaged badly at some point. A better copy was at the Hyde Park store for $6.50. I am sure its still there in the craft section with all the needle work and weaving books. (If you get it, please let us know in this thread)

At the SemCoop store I bought "The Sea of Galilee Boat" new (they only sell new books). It is the story of how a 2000 year old wooden boat was found and excavated. I am 2/3 done and I highly recommend it if it sounds interesting at all - a great tale about a wooden boat, detective work, politics, media and the developing story all written well by the lady who masterminded the whole operation adds up to a great read. Old construction techniques are discussed with sketches.

The bad news is that is all I could find boat-wise. However, I had a blast riding the L and experiencing Chicago on my own up close once again. Trying to make it back to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare before the evening session started, I found myself wondering what to do for supper. I stopped in at Medici bakery and grabbed a seeded baguette (about a 3 foot loaf of skinny bread) and a large coffee which I ate and drank walking back to the bus stop. It felt good to walk with my new treasures in my back pack eating like that. Ah, a good adventure once again!

Cheers!

[Bruce Taylor]

Sounds like you had fun.

Now, do as Bruce Hooke suggests and go to Alibiris and Abebooks. You can search both (and a couple of dozen other databases) at:

www.bookfinder.com

[carlg]

Donn

Where is Powell's warehouse in Chicago? I grew up there but wasn't looking for boat books at the time.

[Donn]

I think the warehouse is at 1500 S. Western Ave, but I don't think they sell to the public there.

http://www.powellschicago.com/stores.html