Perfect Bo..ok?

[britcoal]

Okay, maybe I got you with the title. I know this group is full of "what is the perfect boat" questions, but mine is about a book.

I just got my first "big boat" and, while I have done a fair amount of big boat sailing, it has usually been just out and about for day sails, so I am lacking in, what I call, "general know-how". This forum has some great posts about anchoring, for example - information that would be really handy on the water.

So.. I'm looking for a general handbook of sorts. I'm guessing of the 'cruising' variety, but general knowledge is good. Less of actual sailing information and more the mundane things like anchoring, safety, communication etiquette, rules of the road, whathaveyou.

Any good suggestions??

Thanks guys.

[sailingdog]

Hmm... Three books...

Easy to read, wide subject coverage... David Seidman's The Complete Sailor

Full-blown reference book... Chapman's Piloting & Seamanship

Cruising specific book... Beth Leonard's The Voyager's Handbook

Hope that helps.

[Faster]

Consider signing up for a Power and Sail Squadron course (or equivalent) - gives you basics in those techniques and a good grounding in how to properly use/read nautical charts. The basic course is 10 - 12 weeks of evenings or weekends, costing around $250-300/person

Here in Canada there are several other advanced courses getting into advanced piloting, navigation etc. through this organization.

[sailingdog]

USCGAux also has some excellent courses. However, courses are not books...

[britcoal]

Those sound like a few good books to start with, thanks. I am fairly comfortable with my chart reading ability but there is always plenty to learn. I was planning on a course this fall.