Just read Sailing Alone by Captain Joshua Slocum (copyright 1899)on a cross country flight. 

While it pushes the boundries of "light craft", the author did re-build the "Spray" stick-by-stick himself for a solo round-the-world voyage. It started life as an oysterman and was a little over 35ft. long. What I found especially interesting and enjoyable was the modifications made to the craft over the course of the voyage for specific conditions.

This may be a de rigueur for the sailing crowd but it was new to me.

Warning: Do Not Read When Under The Influence of Wanderlust!

JW