Nigel Calder's Cruising Handbook: A Compendium for Coastal and Offshore Sailors

Book Description

The most comprehensive and helpful guide ever written for selecting and equipping a cruising sailboat

Whether you’re a coastal or offshore cruiser, you’ll find your most pressing concerns treated with the know-how that makes for skillful, confident cruising in Nigel Calder’s Cruising Handbook. The author -- one of the most respected marine how-to authors on either side of the Atlantic, and author of the universally admired Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual, -- walks you through all key technical and practical aspects of modern cruising systems and equipment, providing you with a summary of the skills necessary for safe, enjoyable sailing.

The first half of the book includes an easy-to-use tabular method for evaluating a boat's suitability for cruising; ideas for workable deck and interior lay-outs and organization; how to choose and configure suitable boat systems for cruising; and how to install gear for trouble free operation.

The book's second half teaches you boat handling skills; core navigational expertise; anchoring techniques; weather understanding; heavy weather expertise; and specific skills for long-term and long-distance cruising.

Customer Reviews:

Gotta Get It!.......2007-07-16

My husband and I currently own a CS30 that we race and cruise on the Chesapeake Bay. We have been seriously considering moving up to a 37-40 ft cruiser. We bought this book (among several others) to prepare for cruising. It is fantastic. He covers every topic imaginable in an easy to digest format. It is a resource you don't want to be without!

A must have for sailing cruisers.......2007-01-22

I wish I had bought this book before I bought my newest old boat - my personal survey would have been much more effective.

This book covers so much, so well. Mr. Calder obviously not only has the knowledge but the motivation to really think about what should go into each area. He covers choosing, maintaining, upgrading, and cruising a boat to just the right degree that if you had no other resources, this book would usually suffice. And he does this in such a relatively small book.

mostly about calder's boat.......2006-12-11

this is book about cruising in a sailboat but is mostly filled with pictures and references to his sailboat and what a great boat it is. i wanted a book about cruising after you have a boat.

Good manual and info on sailing.......2006-12-11

Well thought out and good graphics/photos. Solid marine related information and guide. A good book for the sail oriented seamen.

The Cruising Handbook is the reference manual to have.......2006-10-29

For cruising, Nigel Calder's book is the one that offers the most good information about a variety of cruising-related subjects. If I had to choose to keep only couple of books for boating, it would be this and Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship. This Cruising Handbook is especially geared for sailboats and covers all boat systems and the issues you are likely to encounter.

Average customer rating:

Good Performance Sailing Tips, Nice Pictures
"A picture is worth a thousand words..." Lots of pictures and great information
Unsurpassed Knowledge

Catamarans, Every Sailor's Guide
Gregor Tarjan
Manufacturer: Chiodi Advertising & Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Boating | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Sailor's Multihull Guide to the Best Cruising Catamarans & Trimarans
Multihull Cruising Fundamentals: The Official American Sailing Association Guide to Cruising Multihulls
The Cruising Multihull
World Cruising Routes
Sailing Promise: Around the World on a Catamaran

ASIN: 1880465086

Product Description

The original expanded version - first edition. A long overdue, in-depth reference guide to the lifestyle of modern cruising catamarans, focusing on design and seamanship issues with a special chapter highlighting notable production multihulls. A must read for any open minded sailor written by today's leading industry expert Gregor Tarjan. CATAMARANS, EVERY SAILORS GUIDE is an authoritative work for novices and experienced sailors; the best book written on the subject since the early 90s. Stunning photography and beautifully illustrated - a must read ! 8 12x11 14 hardcover, 278 pages, 206 photos, 54 graphs and illustrations. Photography by leading marine photographer, Gilles Martin-Raget.

Customer Reviews:

Good Performance Sailing Tips, Nice Pictures.......2007-09-14

This book is beautifully laid out and would look good on anybody's coffe table. Multihull champion and dealer Gregor Tarjan outlines modern catamaran advantages over monohulls and describes what attributes make them perform well - as seen in several other multihull texts, but with nicer pictures here.

On and off throughout the book he explains how to get the best performance out of a catamaran: his discussion on how best to use Apparent Wind, VMG and daggerboards to one's advantage is the best I have seen, with easy to understand charts and drawings. There is a chapter on construction with interesting information (e.g. cycles to failure for different types of materials) but I found it difficult to relate it to any particular production boat. Anchoring and heavy weather sailing get light treatment and are much better covered in other texts.

The author concludes the 200 pages of main text with 50 pages dedicated to Noteworthy Multihulls. Each of 25 multihulls gets a two-page spread with beautiful pictures, just the most basic of specifications, and a very short blurb that could have been written by the builders themselves. After the good discussion of parameters, construction, and evaluation coefficients throughout the book (e.g. Hull Finess Ratio, Sail Area to Wetted Surface, bridge deck clearance, payload ability etc.) I was disappointed that data was not available to compare the different Noteworthy Designs based on what I had learned in the previous pages. Other than the fact that Outremer is the most present builder in the pictures, this book will not help you decide whether you should buy a Catana 47 or a Switch 51.

Overall, even though the information was often scattered throughout several chapters, I liked Catamarans-Every Sailor's Guide mainly for the beautiful pictures and the excellent seamanship discussion.

"A picture is worth a thousand words..." Lots of pictures and great information.......2007-07-13

For a long while I have been dreaming of owning a cruising catamaran and went online to get information. I ordered "Catamarans, Every Sailor's Guide" and believe it to be my best investment of time and money so far. The information comes from an author with considerable experience who appears to be unbiased. It is full of photos and layouts for current (2007) production models. I hope future editions of this text are available for future models as I believe this is an excellent source of information for those wanting to learn more about modern catamarans.

Unsurpassed Knowledge.......2006-10-05

After meeting the author in different places over the last couple of years I was interested in the book. Mr. Tarjan has experience that comes hard and takes time. He has been involved in other published multihull accounts and this book is a culmination of a long history selling, building and sailing catamarans. Well done and looks great.

Average customer rating:

All most of us need to know on sail & rig tuning
Racing or Cruising; this is stuff you NEED to know
Excellent on tuning, not so good on engineering.
One of the Best Books on Rigging Out There
Great Explainations and Illustrations

Sail and Rig Tuning
Ivar Dedekam
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Illustrated Navigation
Sail Trim and Rig Tuning (Captain's Quick Guides)
A Manual of Sail Trim
Sailing Smart: Winning Techniques, Tactics, And Strategies
Sailpower: Trim and Techniques for Cruising Sailors

ASIN: 1898660670

Book Description

Fantastic computer graphics systematically explain how to tune-your-yacht, keelboat or dinghy.

This beautifully illustrated and well-organised book shows the reader step by step, how to trim their sails and rig for maximum performance. Ivar Dedekam’s revolutionary approach to sail and rig tuning tackles the practical and realistic elements of tuning your boat as well as the theory of sail aerodynamics. The book covers the many variations in boat, sail and rig design.

Customer Reviews:

All most of us need to know on sail & rig tuning.......2007-05-30

When it comes to sail & rig tuning I think it is important not to complicate things too much and write 3 exceptions for every rule. This book gives clear advice on the biggest issues in sail & rig trim and illustrates them as well.
Very good book to get the most out of your boat!

Racing or Cruising; this is stuff you NEED to know.......2006-05-29

Good physics, good illustrations, good explanations mean that you will have the intellectual tools to maximize your sail power. That will mean minutes in a race, and hours or days on a passage...as well as the safety of a well tuned rig. A must read for anyone powered by sail.

Excellent on tuning, not so good on engineering........2005-06-21

I brought this book to check the rigging on a boat that I want to build.
The diagrams are very clear and the book is concise and easy to read.
While this book was helpful it was not really what I was after.
I see this book being great for those sailors who want to win races.

One of the Best Books on Rigging Out There.......2004-05-11

There is nothing more frighten then a mast coming down at sea. Just the mere thought of it is enough to have a lot of cruising sailors pouring pockets full of money into the hands of riggers up and down the island chain. However rigging isn't that hard, heck I even know a couple guys who decided overnight to be riggers. They hung up their shingles and we started genuflecting before them as if they were the font of all knowledge. Well before you reach your hand out for that holy water, maybe you should check out this very fine book. It will educate you into the black art of rigging a sailboat. You'll know, without consulting that expert, when to replace that turnbuckle or wire. You'll learn how to tune your rig yourself and, need I say it, you'll probably save enough money to pay for that new laptop you've had your eye on.

Great Explainations and Illustrations.......2002-09-03

This is my favorite book on sail trim. It not only explains what to do, but why to do it. It is organized well and has great illustations. It is not just for novices, but has information that more experienced sailors will find useful. For example, it has pages with illustrations showing the comparative (in percentages) sail drafts to use for various winds strengths and conditions.

Average customer rating:

exceptional information
if you're thinking of rafting it's a must!

The Complete Whitewater Rafter
Jeff Bennett
Manufacturer: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater Rescue Manual: New Techniques for Canoeists, Kayakers, and Rafters
Whitewater Rafting Manual: Tactics and Techniques for Great River Adventures
The Guide's Guide Augmented: Reflections on Guiding Professional River Trips
River Rescue: A Manual for Whitewater Safety, 3rd (AMC Paddlesports)

ASIN: 007005505X

Amazon.com

As its title suggests, this useful guide offers about as exhaustive a course in river running as you can expect to get on dry land. Author Jeff Bennett outlines a simple approach that will take you from the showroom of your local paddling outfitter to the rapids of your favorite river. You'll learn about rafting history, equipment, safety, and rescue, and explore the dynamic forces at play in the rivers themselves. From underwater currents, surface hydraulics, and rapids classifications to water and wave patterns known as haystacks and pillows, The Complete Whitewater Rafter examines all facets of river running. Bennett also covers the planning procedures for full-scale river expeditions and the advanced maneuvers essential for Class V rivers. --Lance Judd

Book Description

This is the manual endorsed by professional guides, instructors, and recreational river runners everywhere. With comprehensive step-by-step coverage starting with the first run, it includes tips from top guides, outfitters, and instructors, plus the most complete guide to Class V rafting techniques ever assembled. This is the completely revised and updated successor to Bennett's best-selling manual, Rafting!.

Customer Reviews:

exceptional information.......2003-04-25

Bennet's book is detailed, readable and contains all the information that is needed to start rafting, though the information on the types of boats available is a bit dated. His chapters on the river bed morphology and the effects on the moving water are understandable and excellent and far makes up for the older information on this years raft models.

We have used this as a basis for our white water rafting cours.

if you're thinking of rafting it's a must!.......1998-09-11

Jeff Bennett has been doing rivers in North and Central America as a guide, whitewater instructor, international racer and professional photographer since the early 1970's. He has co-authored several other books, including Class Five Chronicles. The Complete Whitewater Rafter is the culmination of his river experiences and the progeny of his previous book Rafting!. Although sole author, he envisions The Complete Whitewater Rafter as the culmination of a river-running evolution that has been ongoing for the last half century. He has borrowed tips and techniques from contemporary instructors and classic technique textbooks.

Bennett characterizes this book as a complete course in river running. For those who raft, the book has it all, beginning with a chapter on the Evolution of Rafting: From Powell to Paddle Cats and ending with a chapter that covers becoming a professional guide, whitewater photography, rafting for the physically challenged and rafting with children.

I primarily bought the book to get tips on oar rigging and everything was there, including all existing boat, frame, and oar designs. The chapter on gear maintenance and repairs was first rate and complete (it even included material on maintaining wetsuits, drysuits, lifejackets, and pumps). For those with interests in paddle rafts the cook covers all the strokes and more importantly has an entire chapter on Paddle Captaining: The Art of Whitewater Choreography. Several major rafting companies include this as mandatory reading for guide certification. Finally, the book has several chapters on multiday trips, which review packing and carrying gear, river camping and cooking, and river exploration. This material is applicable to anyone who is contemplating a multiday trip (whether raft supported or not).

If you are not particularly interested in rafting check-out the book for the information in chapters 5, 8, and 10. Chapter 5 - River Morphology: The Dynamics of Running Water looks beneath the surface at river mechanics, laminar flow, turbulent flows, chaos, helical currents, and meanders and relates all this to tongues, upstream Vs, standing waves, diagonal waves, haystacks, breaking waves and stoppers, pillows, undercuts, rooster tails, boils and holes. It's really well written and excellently illustrated. I will probably scan-in some of the illustrations and make slides to use in lectures for paddling classes. Chapter 8 covers running rapids in oar rigs and paddle rafts but the information is equally applicable to hardboats. Again, the illustrations and suggestions on tactical approaches to rapids are excellent. Finally, chapter 10 - Rafting on the Cutting Edge discusses class V rafting including boulders and slots, waterfalls, high water techniques, and even steep creeking. I hadn't even imagined creeking in a raft but it is done. I have a whole garage full of hard boats for every possible use. This book has made be consider getting an R-2 for this year's creek season.

The Handbook Of Sailing
Average customer rating:

Marvelous Sailing Handbook

Extremely helpful

2 great books squeezed together into 1 great book...

awsome book

You must buy this book!

The Handbook Of Sailing
Bob Bond
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship: Third Edition, Completely Revised, Expanded and Updated

Learning to Sail: The Annapolis Sailing School Guide for Young Sailors of All Ages

Sailing For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))

New Complete Sailing Manual

ASIN: 0679740635
Release Date: 1992-08-11

Book Description

Newly updated and now in paperback, this backlist classic contains 2,000 diagrams and photos enabling you to visualize every sailing procedure and maneuver; reflects the latest word on procedures, techniques, and equipment. 48 pages of full-color photos.

Customer Reviews:

Marvelous Sailing Handbook.......2007-08-19

Being a seasoned sailor - a United States Coast Guard veteran - I have found Bob Bond's "Handbook of Sailing" to be indispensable. It is without a doubt the best and most up-to-date handbook available on the subject of sailing. The explanations and illustrations are exquisitely detailed. This is an extremely helpful book that every sailor, novice or seasoned, needs as a reference guide. Excellent for classroom instruction. Gets ten stars!

I should also like to recommend "Allegiances: A Novel," which is the creation of my cousin Charles Strout Davis, a fellow yachtsman. His novel is born out of his intense interest in determining the root causes of international wars and the track of the famous yacht, America, during the Civil War. An alumnus of the old New England Choate School and of Princeton, Mr. Davis's characterizations of Civil War gentry is remarkable.

Extremely helpful.......2005-08-27

I took up sailing this summer, and found that, while no book can replace the physical experience on the boat, one needs an instruction manual to keep up with all the maneuvers and terminology that are thrown at you. The Handbook Of Sailing provides concise and very well organized information, with ample illustrations. It’s the perfect accompanying textbook for someone who’s still trying to learn the lefts and rights of boating.

2 great books squeezed together into 1 great book..........2003-10-07

This book is really 2 separate books cobbled together from material the author used in some of his earlier work. The first half of the book is a treatise on dinghy ("one-design") sailing and the last half is a manual for cruisers; both books cover their material superbly, going in depth on many matters that don't get adequate coverage elsewhere, but it's truly unfortunate that the author and his editors tried to fit the 2 specialist books together under one cover. Keelboat cruisers cannot learn to handle their boats from a technical dinghy sailing treatise and dinghy sailors cannot benefit from discussions of cruising problems outside the scope of their equipment. It was especially unfortunate that the author didn't point out in his introduction that the cruising material starts in the second half of the book, which could have saved me many evenings of puzzling through centerboards, trapezing, and capsize drills! In spite of its awkward concept the book is profoundly detailed, profusely illustrated, and a must for whichever type of sailor you are...

awsome book.......2002-08-18

if you are a novice or experianced sailor this book will help you. It was a great read and help for my sailing skills. If you want to learn easy tips for sailing you will find them hear. Also if you are intrested in some just facts of sailing buy this book.

You must buy this book!.......2001-08-23

Great book, covers all aspects of basic and advanced sailing on all types of boats. I was very impressed with its comprehensive coverage of the subject. I keep it as a reference book. No other book will cover nearly as much about sailing. If you want to buy only one book, then this must be the one.

Outboard Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair

Average customer rating:

Excellent book!
Very Basic General Overview
Outboard Engine Maintenance
Marine Repair Bible
Dust Collector

Outboard Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair
Edwin R. Sherman
Manufacturer: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Complete Guide To Outboard Engines
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Quick and Easy Boat Maintenance: 1,001 Time-Saving Tips
Mercury/Mariner Outboard All Engines 1990-2000 (Seloc Marine Manuals)

ASIN: 0070578567

Book Description

If like most do-it-yourselfers you've relied on a sketchy owner's manual or one of those abstruse shop manuals written for professional mechanics to keep your onboard running, here's an end to your frustration. This abundantly illustrated nonthreatening guide is filled with effective maintenance, repair, and advanced troubleshooting advice for two-cycle and four-cycle engines from 2 to 250 horsepower. Although outboard engines have become more reliable, they're also more sophisticated and require more than a passing knowledge of mechanics to troubleshoot and repair. Outboard Engines covers recent developments such as electronic ignition, oil injection systems, and four-stroke powerheads. Your fears about the reliability of your "finicky" outboard are over!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book!.......2007-07-30

The book is very helpful, especially for diagnosing motor problems.
This book combined with the specific repair manual for your year,make model is all you need.

Very Basic General Overview.......2007-06-01

This book is okay as an introduction to how outboards work, but if you know anything about mechanics, I'd recommend you forego this and just buy a factory repair manual for your engine - as this book is frustrating in its lack of detail.

Outboard Engine Maintenance.......2007-01-05

Great book with indepth explanations and step by step troublshooting procedures. Lots of Illustrations and techniques. Easy to follow tips and techniques. A pleasure to read. Written from the novice point of view.

Marine Repair Bible.......2007-01-04

I'm currently enrolled in a two year program that will certify me as a marine technical specialist. This book supplements provided course materials and has also been used as a text in the class which covers all aspects of marine repair. Any questions that I have and forget to ask in classes are easily, or sometimes not too easily, answered by this book. The author pays strict attention to detail and doesn't waste space with words. He gets right to the meat and potatoes of the issues, procedures and general mechanics of maintaining, trouble shooting and repairing all aspects of the outboard motor. There aren't a lot of big, fancy industry terms that sound overly scientific. Each chapter is concluded with a few pages worth of review questions meant to pound the real important stuff into your head in a way that is easily understood. There is not one area of marine repair concerning an outboard motor that isn't covered here, from total rebuilds to simple maintenance. Top to bottom, front to back, this book covers the outboard motor completely and is a must have in any serious mechanic's toolbox.

Dust Collector.......2004-06-29

Good intentions but no substance. If you own an outboard, you know that each size and brand are quite unique and generalizing the repairs of them is about as useful to an owner as a dry lake. This book is very small and it WILL collect dust or end up beneath a repair manual. Believe me.

The Propeller Handbook: The Complete Reference for Choosing, Installing, and Understanding Boat Propellers

Average customer rating:

The Propeller Handbook
A must read book
Very technical and interesting
Boat Propellers
Super prop book for the serious boater.

The Propeller Handbook: The Complete Reference for Choosing, Installing, and Understanding Boat Propellers
Dave Gerr
Manufacturer: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Elements of Boat Strength: For Builders, Designers, and Owners
The Nature of Boats: Insights and Esoterica for the Nautically Obsessed
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Sorensen's Guide to Powerboats: How to Evaluate Design, Construction, and Performance
Understanding Boat Design

ASIN: 0071381767

Book Description

On the surface, choosing the correct propeller for a particular boat seems simple. But one factor affects another, which then affects another factor, leading many boaters to believe that propeller selection depends more on black magic than logic.

All the questions are answered in this complete reference, the first of its kind. This clear, easy-to-use handbook for all small boats is written not for Ph.D.s seeking the latest wrinkle in high-tech propeller design, but as a practical aid for the average mechanic, engineer, boatbuilder, fleet operator, serious yachtsman, or naval architect.

Customer Reviews:

The Propeller Handbook.......2007-09-20

This is a very practical book in terms of its simple way of guiding the reader through both, the conceptual understanding of propellers and the corresponding calculations.
This book fulfilled all my expectations

A must read book.......2006-05-04

It is for the technically minded. Don't buy a propeller without reading it first. And after you've read it, you will probably buy a new propeller, because you will likely to find out that the old one is not right.

Very technical and interesting.......2006-03-21

This is a very interesting book. It goes deeply in the theme.
It is necessary to have engineering or technical background to understand it, not recommended for not technical minds.
There is one or two false aseverations, but if you are a technician or engineer, you will realize that immediately and in addition those aseverations have not consecuences for the main theme.

Boat Propellers .......2006-03-10

This book will answer almost every propellers related but needs little update for todays raceboats props..

Super prop book for the serious boater........2003-09-04

The author has boiled out all the complicated Bessel functions and the reader is left with the bottom line for basic propeller selection. If you are serious boater interested in propellers this is the book for you...you don't need to PhD in Naval Arch to understand this. Very straight forward approach. If you have prop related or powering questions, buy this. For 13 bucks you are going to spend more on gas your next outing due to your poor prop.
I would have given it 5 stars if the pictures were in color and more recent.

Average customer rating:

Buy this book FIRST! Best ocean voyaging preparation manual
Excellent if planning to refit a boat for offshore
I liked the first edition better
Excellent resource & very readable
WHAT A MASTERPIECE!!!!!

The Voyager's Handbook
Beth A. Leonard
Manufacturer: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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World Cruising Routes
How to Sail Around the World : Advice and Ideas for Voyaging Under Sail
World Cruising Essentials : The Boats, Gear, and Practices That Work Best at Sea
Offshore Sailing: 200 Essential Passagemaking Tips
Storm Tactics Handbook: Modern Methods of Heaving-To for Survival in Extreme Conditions

ASIN: 0071437657

Book Description

“Belongs in the bookshelf of every cruising vessel.”—Blue Water Sailing

“If you are serious about that extended voyage, read The Voyager’s Handbook.”—Sailing

“Every now and then a new voice emerges in the world of sailing literature that stands out, a voice that is both clear and of lasting quality. The appearance of such a new voice is something of an event, and that’s what we’d call the publication of The Voyager’s Handbook.”—Blue Water Sailing

This inspirational and comprehensive manual leads you step by step through every aspect of choosing, planning, and following the voyager’s life. Using three example boats representing three cruising lifestyles—Simplicity, Moderation, and Highlife—Beth Leonard helps make your bluewater dreams come true, whether you’re sailing on a shoestring or a CEO’s pension. Starting with the things you can’t do without—an enthusiastic crew, a seaworthy boat, and, of course, money—Leonard offers sage advice on how to select crewmembers who are truly committed to the voyage, how to choose the right boat for you, and how to find just the right approach to financing your voyage and making the most of every dollar spent.

Managing life from a floating home and keeping that home livable, seaworthy, and safe requires you to become, among other things, the ship’s purser, engineer, doctor, cook, and cruise director. You’ll discover how to prepare for these new roles and put necessary equipment and arrangements in place before you untie your docklines. This exquisitely detailed guide also helps you master the skills you’ll need to handle a boat at sea with a small crew, including

Weather forecasting
Passage planning
Watchkeeping
Heavy-weather sailing
Emergency management
Midocean repairs

Complete with dozens of easy-to-use graphs and tables for quick reference, along with the hard-won wisdom of experienced cruisers, The Voyager’s Handbook is the ultimate resource for anyone who is planning, preparing for, or just dreaming about a great adventure on the high seas.

Customer Reviews:

Buy this book FIRST! Best ocean voyaging preparation manual.......2007-10-01

To sufficiently prepare for, what we plan will be at least five years of ocean voyaging, we have purchased and read more than 20 books, in addition to subscribing to Seven Seas Crusing Association and reading greater than fifty online articles, user forums, blogs and websites. The Voyager's Handbook, is by far, the single best resource for preparing to sell out and sail off. The book is extremely well organized and conveniently offers topic specific browsing or cover-to-cover reading. We each read the book, with great appreciation, the first week it arrived. My husband and I have raced sailboats and cruised both sail and power boats for over twenty-five years. We have cruised and raced offshore. We have owned thirty boats. I mention this only to demonstrate that we are experienced boaters. We were thrilled at the quality and scope of this publication. We were seeking a comprehensive checklist/action plan and gained much more. We would have saved countless hours and over $500 if we would have found this book first. Neither of us know the author or anyone financially benefiting from the sale of this publication. We took the time to write only to help others prepare more efficiently, as we have benefited from the comments of both readers'and professional reviewers.

Excellent if planning to refit a boat for offshore.......2007-03-17

Terrific book which finally made it clear to me why I had been ground into the dust refitting an older boat; namely, the enormous number of jobs and the huge amount of labour required to refit a 20 year old boat, even if in moderately good condition.

Table 4-5, page 117, lists desired upgrades for three styles of offshore voyagers - simplicity, moderation and highlife. Their costs and labour are shown in detail in Chapter 10, Putting it All Together From Refit Plan to Balanced Boat, pages 248-266.

There is also a real world FOUR YEAR refit example and information on what was left off going from Leonard's Silk to Hawk.

This is NOT in the first edition, which for me makes the second edition the only choice.

This book is as necessary as Hal Roth's How to Sail Around the World and Nigel Calder's Mechanical and Electrical Manual and Cruising Handbook

I liked the first edition better.......2007-02-08

Some things are best left as they were. The first edition was simple to read, and did not seem to be trying to be the most complete guide to cruising ever written. Unfortunately I loaned my copy to a friend and it never came back so I ordered a new copy and got this one. I think the author has tried to write about too many subjects and include too many different ideas- it comes off like a compendium of conflicting ideas. Also this book more than the previous edition shows the author has a pretty big budget. Not the best guide for those of us with more limited funds.

Excellent resource & very readable.......2007-01-10

This is the book we have been looking for! Very easy to read, but has lots of very useful information for anyone wanting to go offshore sailing. Gets you organizing your thought processes and keeps you focused. Good sense of humor and very descriptive - feel like you are right there with them in the discussions. Recommend to anyone thinking about offshore but also read her other book as well!!

WHAT A MASTERPIECE!!!!! .......2006-12-06

First of all, I am not a child of 13, this was the only space I could find to write this review. As a matter of fact, I am a grandmother and I have recently return from a two year, double handed, Atlantic circle. I have sailed all my life.

Beth Leonard has produced the most valuable book I have ever seen for cruisers of any level. I wish I could give it to everyone I've met along my voyages. I can't think of anyone who would not benefit. Certainly not a frilly coffee table item, instead, something of real value. An encyclopedia of research and a dedicated documentation of pratical information.

Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing Through 2008

Average customer rating:

This is a "must" book for any racing sailor's reference shelf
Dave is an amazing teacher
From the Back Cover

Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing Through 2008
Dave Perry
Manufacturer: United States Sailing Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0974105872

Product Description

The better you know the rules, the sharper you will be tactically on the race course. Dave Perry clearly and concisely answers all of the most commonly asked questions on the racing rules from a champion racing sailor's perspective. His comprehensive, easy-to-understand explanations, with extensive references to US SAILING Appeals and ISAF Cases, make this book a complete and authoritative resource on the rules for new racers and Olympic sailors alike, as well as judges at all levels. Brad Dellenbaugh's abundant diagrams and amusing captions bring Perry's explanations to life.

Customer Reviews:

This is a "must" book for any racing sailor's reference shelf.......2006-11-30

Each time the US Sailing rules change, I order my replacement copy of "Understanding," by Dave Perry. Not only is he the most reliable and knowledgeable expert on our sport's arcane rules, but also he's the best at explaining them. Besides a complete rules dissection, the book holds a complete set of the latest racing rules (so you don't need to spend another $30 on those if you're not a US Sailing member) and a great rules-in-brief section that can help a newcomer get on the race course safely without tackling the complexity.

Dave is an amazing teacher.......2006-01-08

Dave Perry is not only one of the world's best sailors (2nd in the 2005 Hinman Master's Championship and champion of many other regattas) he's an amazing teacher. If you've ever heard him talk, I'm sure you'd agree. His energy and enthusiasm for the sport is clearly dipicted in his excellent book. No matter what your level in sailing, you are bound to learn something new from his book.

bryan mcdonald
us sailing appeals committee member

From the Back Cover.......2005-06-26

An excerpt from the Back Cover:

Includes the complete text of the 2005-2008 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules of Sailing and US SAILING Prescriptions.

Contains over 100 quotes and references to the US SAILING Appeals and ISAF Cases, making it an indespensable resource for sailors and racing officials.

The better you know the rules, the sharper you will be tactically on the race course. Dave Perry clearly and concisely answers all of the most commonly asked questions on the racing rules from a champion racing sailor's perspective.

Average customer rating:

Horrendous amount of errors
At Last!

Mariner's Weather Handbook
Steve Dashew , and Linda Dashew
Manufacturer: Beowulf, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0965802825

Book Description

The most complete guide to marine weather analysis, tactics, and storm avoidance. Teaches traditional forecasting based on current observed conditions, as well as the latest tools including facsimile charts and the Internet. An easy-to-use tool for sailors, power boaters, professional seamen, and anyone interested in the weather.

Customer Reviews:

Horrendous amount of errors.......2003-07-16

I purchased this book several years ago and atempted to read it. There were so many spelling errors that in many cases I couldn't figure out what the author(s) were trying to say. After straining my brain for about 75 pages I gave up the effort. It was the first edition and I hope they've put some effort into corrections.

At Last!.......2000-04-29

Mariner's weather Handbook is the first book about marine weather I've found (in more than 20 years of reading about and struggling with the subject) that has actually allowed me to (finally!) understand the constantly changing three-dimensional relationships between differing air masses and their fronts. Steve Dashew explains the world's weather in a systematic and logical progression that kept me firmly on a heretofore slippery learning curve.

With quotes and examples from leading meteorologists as well as his own experiences (over 100,000 miles under sail), Mr. Dashew explains the mechanics of the weather and the tools available to forcast it. More importantly for mariners, he details what the real concerns are during voyage planning and 'at sea'.

The book also focuses on the rules-of-thumb, routines and on-board equipment that enables one to sail prudently and safely - if warily - across the world's oceans. He details several of his own voyages, with copious log excerpts, available weatherfax charts and satellite images to cover the developing situation day by day.

The only reason for not giving the book the highest marks is the poor editing and occasional indifferent and innacurate illustrations. It's possible that the occasional misstatements and errors in the text and my subsequent backpedeling and rechecking to identify the descrepencies and 'gett it straight in my head again' are actually resposible for my finally 'getting' the weather. In that case, I owe the editor - or lack thereof - some serious gratitude. In any case, the book made me feel that I could understand it and - by golly! - I finally did! The plentiful weather charts, photographs and diagrams more than make up for the few confusing illustrations.

The book finishes with valuable internet addresses that enable one to begin to gather current and historic weather data, charts and satellite images on the internet. Personally, I'm buying a barometer and hope to begin what will be a life long understanding, study and forcast of the weather, possibly in preperation for my own ocean crossings - thanks to Steve Dashew's very good book.

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