These are some of my favorite sailing books and distance cruising favorite classics:
By the Wind- Richard Baum- *****
My all time favorite sailing book about a guy and his engineless Starling Burgess Cutter in post- WW II Atlantic.
Dove- Robin Graham (I think) **
- School boy borrows family boat for a long weekend, (a very long week end) sailing west single-handed until he finds the world, home, fame, National Geographic and a wife. Now grounded and lives in Rockies.
The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst- Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall****
-Haunting story of man who can''t take no for an answer. A reminder that all who sail east do not necessarily come home and the real significance of keeping a log, or two, or three.
The Riddle of the Sands- Erskine Childers****
-A couple chums go looking for a relaxing cruise in the northern coast of France and find spies and shallow water. Great read by an author who was a decorated British Intelligence officer who was later shot by an Irish firing squad as a traitor but whose book, posthumously, proved to be helpful to British World War II efforts.
Sailing Alone around the World Alone-Josh Slocum ***1/2
Old salt with broken clock and too much spare time on his hands sails around the world in a rebuilt oyster smack. Proof that no matter how half-assed and poorly equipped a boat may be, a resourceful good seaman can sail her around the world at least once. Josh disappeared at sea on his second attempt.
Alone Around the World- Naomi James ** 1/2
Great Lady, well written, big world, short book. My real disappointment is that she seemed to rush through things.
Great Adventures in Small Boats- David Klein and Mary Louise King *****
(Originally published as "They took to the Sea"
-A compendium of excerpts from some of the best sea stories of small boat sailor authors. Great stuff, great read, well organized. Worth it, if just for the Prologue by Rockwell Kent
The Fight of the Firecrest- Alaign Gerbaualt ****
-Starving artist takes rotten old English cutter around Europe until totally worn out (Boat and artist) and then sails across the Atlantic without enough food water or wine. Marvelous stuff.
The Saga of "Cimba"- Richard Maury***1/2
-Guy buys cool little fishing schooner and sails from Nova Scotia to western Pacific only to lose boat to greedy Post Officials. Good story
Sailing for Woman- Steve Colgate''s wife, ***1/2
I am not sure what the real name of this book or Mrs. Colgate (my copy is out on loan) but it is my current favorite ''learning to sail'' book for beginners.
Performance Sailing- Julian Bethwaite,
This is a great book about all things related to sailing fast. Weather, boats, sail trim, you name it.
Any of C.A Marchaj''s books on the technology of sailing.
Tony Marchaj really went where no man had gone in collecting detailed information avbout the aerodynamics and hydrodynamics of boats. While slightly dated his book ''Seaworthiness the forgotten factor'' changed the way that many of look at sailboat design.
The Cruise of the Snark- Jack London ***
-Great Author shows how not to do it in Edwardian Times.
Marlinespike Seamanship- Hervey Garratt Smith****
This simple little book was published more than 50 years ago but even today it is a wonderful introduction to the fine art of splicing and knoting
line.
N by E - Rockwell Kent**1/2
-Very poetic
Voyage of the Paper Canoe- N.H. Bishop ***
- Man Takes paper canoe in post Civil War U.S. and paddles from St. Lawrence River to Cedar Key in Florida. A bit dry but very fascinating.
Anything by William Albert Robinson *****
-Man buys strange Alden wishbone ketch and sails all over the place with a cannibal for crew between the world wars. Captured by pirates in North Africa. Funny, bizarre, gives you a sense how much things have changed in sixty years. One of the first long distance Air/ Sea rescues when Robinson bursts an appendix.
Anything by Joseph Conrad
-In particular, Youth, Secret Sharer, Heart of Darkness, ****** of the Narcissis, and well the list is to long.
The Shipkiller- Justin Scott****
-Man looses wife and boat and goes seeking new boat, stinger missile and the ship that sank him.
Voyaging on a Small Income- Anne Hill ***1/2
-No swash to her buckle but good reading. A very sensible and realistic book by a woman who with her husband has gone a voyaging in a very pragmatic way. You have to really like this Lady. Some very clearly presented and well thought out original thinking.
I''m sure I am missing some but this should keep you. I expect book reports when you have finished. Class dismissed. Have fun.
Jeff