Now that the boat is pretty much put away, all I can do is read about sailing. One of my favorites is "Far Tortuga: A Novel", by Peter Matthiessen. Anybody want to share their favorites? I'm thinking more along the novel line than the "how to.." stuff. Thanks.
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Start with the basics
'The Complete Sailor'-David Seidman nice illustrations and full of knowlege, I just learned the proper way for whipping a rope. 'This Old Boat'- Don Casey choosing a winter project small to large made easy many ideas packed into this one book you'll keep around for a long time.
'The Complete Sailor'-David Seidman nice illustrations and full of knowlege, I just learned the proper way for whipping a rope. 'This Old Boat'- Don Casey choosing a winter project small to large made easy many ideas packed into this one book you'll keep around for a long time.
Linda Greenlaw
Although they are not "How To" books, you might enjoy Linda Greenlaw (Of the Perfect Storm fame). Easy reading and a look behind the scenes of the commercial fishing business. She offers 3 books: 1. The Hungry Ocean 2. The Lobster Chronicles 3. All Fishermen are Liars I've read all three and found them amusing.
Although they are not "How To" books, you might enjoy Linda Greenlaw (Of the Perfect Storm fame). Easy reading and a look behind the scenes of the commercial fishing business. She offers 3 books: 1. The Hungry Ocean 2. The Lobster Chronicles 3. All Fishermen are Liars I've read all three and found them amusing.
O'Brian
I read the Aubrey/Maturin novels over and over. I especially like to get them on tape (or CD) and listen to them on my commute. Good stories, realistic and very historically accurate, especially given that author O'Brian wasn't a sailor!
I read the Aubrey/Maturin novels over and over. I especially like to get them on tape (or CD) and listen to them on my commute. Good stories, realistic and very historically accurate, especially given that author O'Brian wasn't a sailor!
If you want novels
try Tony Gibbs. He wrote a series of three(?)mystery/adventure novels centered on a charterboat in the carribbean. He also wrote at least one other boating mystery novel with a harbor master as the hero. Really good stuff. Also, anything by Sam Llewellyn. He has been described as the "Dick Francis" of boating. His sequel to the classic "Riddle of the Sands" was also great. If you want historical novels, everyone will recommend the O'brian books. I love them, but I like the James L. Nelson books just as much. O'brian is literature, but Nelson is more accessible. Try the revolutionary war and the pirate series. I like the fact that they are not set in the Napoleonic wars. Don't forget the Dewey Lambdin series of "Alan Lewrie" novels. A lot more racy and with more humor than you might be used to in a British navy novel.
try Tony Gibbs. He wrote a series of three(?)mystery/adventure novels centered on a charterboat in the carribbean. He also wrote at least one other boating mystery novel with a harbor master as the hero. Really good stuff. Also, anything by Sam Llewellyn. He has been described as the "Dick Francis" of boating. His sequel to the classic "Riddle of the Sands" was also great. If you want historical novels, everyone will recommend the O'brian books. I love them, but I like the James L. Nelson books just as much. O'brian is literature, but Nelson is more accessible. Try the revolutionary war and the pirate series. I like the fact that they are not set in the Napoleonic wars. Don't forget the Dewey Lambdin series of "Alan Lewrie" novels. A lot more racy and with more humor than you might be used to in a British navy novel.
A couple
A couple I have read that I couldn't put down were "Adrift" about the guy who spends many days at sea after his boat sinks and "the sea will tell" which is a murder mystery... Kind of like John Grisham on a boat
Brian
A couple I have read that I couldn't put down were "Adrift" about the guy who spends many days at sea after his boat sinks and "the sea will tell" which is a murder mystery... Kind of like John Grisham on a boat
BrianTristan Jones and some others
Anything by Tristan Jones... He is my favorite. I would start with the incredible voyage, and work from there. ICE! is another great as well as the saga of a wayward sailor. The thing that makes him my favorite author is that he tells it like it is. His ability to overcome and never give up is amazing. The only problem with his books is that he makes me want to quit my job and start sailing around the world. I would also second the Linda greenlaw but I only enjoyed the hungry ocean. As an ex-commercial fisherman I have to say that hungry ocean is best description of how it is out there. Also the story of the waleship Essex is a great story of survival. Endurance will introduce you to one of the best leaders that ever lived, Shackleton. The list goes on…. All I read is books about being on the water.
Anything by Tristan Jones... He is my favorite. I would start with the incredible voyage, and work from there. ICE! is another great as well as the saga of a wayward sailor. The thing that makes him my favorite author is that he tells it like it is. His ability to overcome and never give up is amazing. The only problem with his books is that he makes me want to quit my job and start sailing around the world. I would also second the Linda greenlaw but I only enjoyed the hungry ocean. As an ex-commercial fisherman I have to say that hungry ocean is best description of how it is out there. Also the story of the waleship Essex is a great story of survival. Endurance will introduce you to one of the best leaders that ever lived, Shackleton. The list goes on…. All I read is books about being on the water.
Endurance
Just to throw a "classic" (meaning classic to me) - this book is the story of what I never want to happen to me, but is also incredible, inspiring, and true.
Just to throw a "classic" (meaning classic to me) - this book is the story of what I never want to happen to me, but is also incredible, inspiring, and true.
Recommended by Francis Chichester
so it has to be good, is my favorite, "The Bird of Dawning" by John Masefield, Poet Laureate of England who authored the well-known "Sea Fever". It is a story of the tea clippers and a race from China to England in the 1850s. A little slow in the middle, it makes up for it with a rousing finish. Masefield loved the square riggers and rounded the horn before he turned 20, so he knew whereof he wrote.
so it has to be good, is my favorite, "The Bird of Dawning" by John Masefield, Poet Laureate of England who authored the well-known "Sea Fever". It is a story of the tea clippers and a race from China to England in the 1850s. A little slow in the middle, it makes up for it with a rousing finish. Masefield loved the square riggers and rounded the horn before he turned 20, so he knew whereof he wrote.
West Coast History Classic
"Two Years Before The Mast" by Wm Henry Dana. His personal account of being on a merchant sail boat in the 1840's on the west coast. Great read especially for us west coasters. Bob F
"Two Years Before The Mast" by Wm Henry Dana. His personal account of being on a merchant sail boat in the 1840's on the west coast. Great read especially for us west coasters. Bob F
Can't go wrong with...
with any of the 15 or so "Master and Commander" series. They are wonderful, and my husband can't seem to put them down. I have enjoyed them. The movie is terrific, but really a composite of several of the books. Besides, rarely is the movie ever better than the book!
with any of the 15 or so "Master and Commander" series. They are wonderful, and my husband can't seem to put them down. I have enjoyed them. The movie is terrific, but really a composite of several of the books. Besides, rarely is the movie ever better than the book!
Joshua Slocum
"Sailing Alone Around the World" Slocum sailed out of Boston Harbor in 1895 on the first solo voyage around the world.
"Sailing Alone Around the World" Slocum sailed out of Boston Harbor in 1895 on the first solo voyage around the world.
men against the sea
this book is part of the trilogy of mutiny on the bounty. it is a factual account of capt blighe's 3500 mile trip with 19 men in a twenty-one foot open boat. he charted the great barrier reef as he made his way to the duth east indies port of timor. what a great man and a great sailor (hollywood ruined his reputation) it was the spoiled fletcher christian who was the scoundrel. short book but a "must read" in my opinion.
this book is part of the trilogy of mutiny on the bounty. it is a factual account of capt blighe's 3500 mile trip with 19 men in a twenty-one foot open boat. he charted the great barrier reef as he made his way to the duth east indies port of timor. what a great man and a great sailor (hollywood ruined his reputation) it was the spoiled fletcher christian who was the scoundrel. short book but a "must read" in my opinion.
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