Recommended Reading for an aspiring cruiser...

[rkain]

Hi SailNet Forums,

I was wondering if you all could recommend some good instructional material for a new-ish sailor.

I'm looking for a "how-to" guide (more probably a series of guides) that cover the various parts of cruising beyond "simply" sailing, i.e. anchoring techniques, handling bad weather, navigation, procedures when sailing to foreign countries, etc.

Thanks much!

[jackdale]

A couple

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship - John Rousmaniere
Chapman's Piloting

That should get you started. I am sure others will post as well.

[turbulicity]

In addition to the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, The Complete Sailor by David Deisman is a good all around book to get started.

I would also recommend picking up This Old Boat by Don Casey, as a large part of sailing is fixing things.

After a little reading, turn to sailnet for questions/discussions. I learned more here than any other book.

[MarkSF]

I recommend The Custom of the Sea by Neil Hanson.

http://www.amazon.com/Custom-Sea-Sho.../dp/0471399779

A salutory lesson for us all. The main lesson I came to was : always draw straws when deciding who to eat.

[capta]

There's a wonderful book called Royce's sailing illustrated that covers just about everything on sailing.
I've had mine since the sixties. It's cheap, too.

[svHyLyte]

Take a look at Debra Ann Cantrell's book, "Changing Course". Although written for women, it is a worthwhile read for men as well. See also, "All in the Same Boat" by Tom Neale, a respected author and long-term cruiser. You might also Google Liz Copeland and check out her books, particularly her early work.

FWIW...

[w1651]

Hal Roths Sailing around the world alone. Lots of good info and technics to use. And it has three chapters just on sailing in heavy weather.

[junkrig]

Look up your local Squadron of the United States Power Squadrons. In spite of that misleading word "power" local squadrons are now typically named the [your town] Sail and Power Squadrons.
We teach many useful courses from basic boating up through Piloting (near shore navigation) and on up through open ocean Navigation.
There are squadrons all over the country, not just on the coasts. We are the oldest safe boating teaching organization in the US.
United States Power Squadrons® Safe boating fun thru education
You could also visit my squadron's site: http://kcsps.org

[aeventyr60]

Also check out Annie Hill's "voyaging on a small income".

[junkrig]

Originally Posted by aeventyr60

Also check out Annie Hill's "voyaging on a small income".

But beware sweet Annie. She converted me to a junk rig sailor as she has done for many others.
A personal favor request: if you choose to read Annie's book, and a very good book it is, please buy a legal copy at Amazon or somewhere. It has escaped into the wild and when people download it Annie doesn't even get the small amount of money that a legal copy brings her. She did that work for all of us and deserves the very modest income it should net her.
And yes, she's a friend, so I'm not entirely disinterested.