This site could benefit from a "library" or a recommended reading link. I know that suggestions have been made many times in various threads but who wants to go hunting for them? I thought that if I start a thread then we would all know what to look for when we were looking for recomendations for a good sailing read.
I have taken the liberty of cutting and pasting books that I am aware of that have been recommended in other posts and tried to give credit where it is due to whom it is due.
Perhaps the Administrator would make this post a sticky so as not to be lost until a link could be added to the resources section - if that is what is chosen to be done.
Last edited by Sonofasonofasailor : 07-13-2006 at 09:52 AM.
Bernard Montessier: Tamata and the Alliance.
Adlard Coles: Heavy Weather Sailing.
The Best of Sail Trim
Peter Nichols: A Voyage for Madmen.
Richard Henderson: The Experiences and Techniques of the Lone Voyagers. Singehanded Sailing.
Recs from Sailingdog
Return to the Sea
On a Single Wave
Storm Passage: Alone Around Cape Horn by Webb Chiles.
Last edited by Sonofasonofasailor : 07-12-2006 at 10:41 PM.
Richard Henderson: Singlehanded Sailing: The Experiences and Techniques of the Lone Voyagers
John Vigor: Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat: A Guide to Essential Features, Handling, and Gear
David Gerr: The Nature of Boats
Hal Roth: How to Sail Around The World: Advice and Ideas for Voyaging Under Sail
David Seidman: The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing
Tania Aebi: Maiden Voyage
Elliot Merrick: Cruising at Last: Sailing the East Coast
__________________
Sailingdog Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
Though geared more towards offshore, The Cruising Handbook by Nigel Calder is a good primer for anyone new to sailing and a quick refrence for those who aren't. Two books about cruising that are good are The Cruising Life: A Commonsense Guide for the Would Be Voyager by Jim Trefethen. This is more about the financial aspect than sailing. Sensible Cruising: The Thoreau Approach by Don Casey and Lew Hackler is an excellent book about cruising as well, from more of a minimumlist standpoint. Also, The Voyager's Handbook: The Essential Guide to Blue Water Cruising by Beth A. Leonard. Though another book geared towards offshore sailing, it has many hints and tips that work for everyone.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
Do you want fiction also? I became addicted to the O'Brian (sp.?)Aubrey/Maturin series. Much better than the movie. Meticulously researched and the chacracters are extremely well-developed.
Do you want fiction also? I became addicted to the O'Brian (sp.?)Aubrey/Maturin series. Much better than the movie. Meticulously researched and the chacracters are extremely well-developed.
Why not? No rules here, sailors enjoy fiction too. I think that it would be appropriate though to limit recommended reading in this thread to the subject of sailing - beyond that, If you like it and recommend reading it then fire away.
U]Sailing in a Spoonful of Water[/u] by Joe Coomer. I read it some years ago, its about a guy who buys his first used boat (a motor sailor w/ a hinged mast) and the pleasures and frustrations that it brings - I found it enjoyable, its and easy read.
Last edited by Sonofasonofasailor : 07-13-2006 at 01:13 PM.
Yes, I have read all of the OBrian books and loved them.
I would also throw in Sail Trim.
Here are two books I know anyone who sails will enjoy:
A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols
This is the story of the first Round Alone Race. A great read.
His other book, Sea Change: Alone Across the Atlantic in a Wooden Boat is an absolute must read if you can find it. It is a memoir of his transatlantic journey from England to the US on an engineless wooden boat. Sounds boring? No, here is the rub...He finds his recent ex-girlfriend's diary on board, (She was doing everyone in town), and his boat is slowly sinking. It's a train wreck and the best part is that it is true.
I just picked up his newest book, Evolution's Captain and will let you know how it reads.
My bible over the last 30 years has been Royce's Sailing Illustrated. I believe it has just recently gone out of print but I was able to replace mine this year and have found a few copies on the bookshelves of marine suppliers. Does anyone else like this book as much as I do?