For several years I have been collecting all manner of nautical books to wile away the hours of my quasi-life between sailing adventures. Unfortunately, lugging my treasured library around the world in a tiny boat isn’t feasible, so I have recently set about sorting through the clutter in order to reclaim some space for provisions.
Listed here are my latest finds (from which I winnowed the occasional gem):
Sailmaker’s Apprentice: A Guide for the Self-reliant Sailor
By: Emiliano Marino
I can’t fit a sowing machine on board for sail repairs so I’m counting on this book to guide my attempts at old fashioned needlework. Who knows, once I master this arcane art, I may be qualified to move on to mending my own socks and reattaching shirt buttons.
Troubleshooting Marine Diesel Engines, 4th Ed. (International Marine Sailboat Library)
By: Peter Compton
Perhaps I’ll get some use out of this book in port. At sea however I’m more likely to sick-up over it, the engine and anyone unlucky enough to be within range.
How to Sail Around the World: Advice and Ideas for Voyaging Under Sail
By: Hal Roth
Some good ideas, but this book was not for me.
The Cruiser’s Handbook of Fishing
By: Scott Bannerot, Wendy Bannerot
A must, but only because I am determined to do better than the one tuna and seagull that I have managed to catch so far. All I’ll have to figure out next is whether I can eat what I catch, and for someone that couldn’t even recognize a small tuna, the signs do not bode well.
By: Nigel Calder
Use of this book will follow the “inversely proportional to income” rule. In my dollar challenged future I expect to be using it often.
Hand, Reef and Steer: Traditional Sailing Skills for Classic Boats
By: Tom Cunliffe
Only because I knew nothing about the Gaff rig before I bought Eileen of Avoca.
Storm Tactics Handbook: Modern Methods of Heaving-To for Survival in Extreme Conditions
By: Lin Pardey, Larry Pardey
I like this book and have purchased a Fiorentino parachute sea anchor as part of my heavy weather safety equipment. Unfortunately, the handbook only describes one storm tactic, so rather than risk being a one trick sea pony, I’ve also purchased a Jordan Series Drogue. Both systems allow me to batten down the hatches and ride out the storm in extreme discomfort.
The Atlantic Crossing Guide: RCC Pilotage Foundation
By: Anne Hammick, et al
A must!
Adlard Coles’ Heavy Weather Sailing
By: Peter Bruce
My hopes of finding the definitive way of dealing with heavy weather were dashed after reading this book. Hence my purchase of two entirely different systems to cope with a storm (parachute sea anchor and drogue). Nevertheless, I found the material invaluable and I’d even be so bold as to suggest it be mandatory reading for anyone intending to cross an ocean in their sailboat.
Warning: Don’t let your landlubber relatives read it or they won’t let you go.
Your First Atlantic Crossing: A Planning Guide for Passagemakers
By: Les Weatheritt
Interesting reading but of little practical value for the single handed small boat sailor. A book for those seeking inspiration perhaps?
Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat: A Guide to Essential Features, Gear, and Handling
By: John Vigor
A true gem.
By: Jimmy Cornell
Traditional routes galore. I use this book as a planning guide for more adventurous itineraries… After much refinement, the end result is often nothing like what I started with, but the handbook is still my first point of reference. Also heavy enough to be used as a vermin exterminator!
By: James Clarke
I hope the gods of winds and currents have read this atlas too and decide to honor its content. Being a cynical sort, I’ll just have to take it with me to check up on them.
By: Frank Golden, Michael Tipton
Prepare for the worse and hope for the best? I can’t say this was an enjoyable read. I think I was going through a dark phase in my literary preparations as the following titles attest.
Left for Dead: The Untold Story of the Tragic 1979 Fastnet Race
By: Nick Ward, Sinead O’Brien
Another book to scare the living daylights out of all your friends and relatives. Hand a copy to anyone you don’t want volunteering to be crew.
By: Peter Nichols
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