What are your favorite sailing books? I'm starting to build my library 'o sailing knowledge and wondered what everyone's favorites are. I've been reading the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, and I'm getting the new Chapman's next week. Is there any others that are considered essential?
favorite books
- Thread starter kingprawn
- Start date
- Status
considered essential
Calder's Boatowner's Manual for Mechanical and Electrical Systems. Answers a lot of questions, avoids asking a lot more.
Stu
Calder's Boatowner's Manual for Mechanical and Electrical Systems. Answers a lot of questions, avoids asking a lot more.
StuBooks for the library
The Navigation Rules. This is available from the government printing office for a fee or download for free in pdf format. Mandatory book for any skipper on the high seas. Bowditch's American Practical Navigator. Mandatory reading for all Coast Guard Academy cadets. This is the bible for navigation. Also get a copy of Big Trouble by Dave Barry. Finally get a copy of "There are no electrons: Electronics for Earthlings" this was recommended by a Physics Professor friend of mine at the University of Kentucky. I haven't read it yet but it sounds good. Dave
The Navigation Rules. This is available from the government printing office for a fee or download for free in pdf format. Mandatory book for any skipper on the high seas. Bowditch's American Practical Navigator. Mandatory reading for all Coast Guard Academy cadets. This is the bible for navigation. Also get a copy of Big Trouble by Dave Barry. Finally get a copy of "There are no electrons: Electronics for Earthlings" this was recommended by a Physics Professor friend of mine at the University of Kentucky. I haven't read it yet but it sounds good. Dave
More about life than sailing...
... highly recommended First You Have to Row a Little Boat: Reflections on Life & Living [from a sailor's perspective] By Richard Bode
... highly recommended First You Have to Row a Little Boat: Reflections on Life & Living [from a sailor's perspective] By Richard Bode
Recommended books
Books from: Gary L. Jobson...(Excelent!) Championship Tactics : How Anyone Can Sail Faster, Smarter, and Win Races Ferenc Mate... Best Boats, The Finely Fitted Yacht Pardey's... Capable Cruiser many others Aiken... Good Boatkeeping Hiscock... Cruising under sail (dated, but interesting to read)
Books from: Gary L. Jobson...(Excelent!) Championship Tactics : How Anyone Can Sail Faster, Smarter, and Win Races Ferenc Mate... Best Boats, The Finely Fitted Yacht Pardey's... Capable Cruiser many others Aiken... Good Boatkeeping Hiscock... Cruising under sail (dated, but interesting to read)
Calder versus Casey
I agree with Stu about Calder's book. Yet, it is "heavy" for those of us who are mechanically-electrically challenged. Don Casey's Good Old Boat and his series in the International Marine Sailboat Library are equally good and, in my opinion, easier for the "challenged." If things begin to get too complex, reading Seamanship in the Age of Sail by John Harland will help put your little problems in perspective. Andy "Baroque"
I agree with Stu about Calder's book. Yet, it is "heavy" for those of us who are mechanically-electrically challenged. Don Casey's Good Old Boat and his series in the International Marine Sailboat Library are equally good and, in my opinion, easier for the "challenged." If things begin to get too complex, reading Seamanship in the Age of Sail by John Harland will help put your little problems in perspective. Andy "Baroque"
My List
Chapmans Piloting of course but you knew this. Don Casey This Old Boat Nigel Calder Cruising Handbook and Mechanical and Electrical Guide Joshua Slocum Anything by Bernard Moitessor, the consumate sailor. Cruising Guides for your area.
Chapmans Piloting of course but you knew this. Don Casey This Old Boat Nigel Calder Cruising Handbook and Mechanical and Electrical Guide Joshua Slocum Anything by Bernard Moitessor, the consumate sailor. Cruising Guides for your area.
and for when you're feeling sorry...
for yourself, due to wind from the wrong direction, a shortage of beer, an uncooperative crew... read Dana's Two Years Before the Mast. A wonderful appreciation of the sea and sailing. Those of us who sail for fun should be aware of what a miserable job it was, and how lucky we are.
for yourself, due to wind from the wrong direction, a shortage of beer, an uncooperative crew... read Dana's Two Years Before the Mast. A wonderful appreciation of the sea and sailing. Those of us who sail for fun should be aware of what a miserable job it was, and how lucky we are.
Shadow Divers
Just started reading, very good so far, about divers going to shipwrecks, no sailing. Would also recomend Wooden Boats, by Micheal Reull???? Please check spelling of authors last name, excellent book on modern day wooden boat builders!
Just started reading, very good so far, about divers going to shipwrecks, no sailing. Would also recomend Wooden Boats, by Micheal Reull???? Please check spelling of authors last name, excellent book on modern day wooden boat builders!
New Boat for Old
by C.N.Davies - 134 pages, long out-of-print account of an English man with a large family, a small income and a great love of boats & sailing. If anyone is feeling overwhelmed by tackling a DIY boat repair etc, reading this little book should restore their spirits & confidence. I vote for Nigel Calder for the nuts & bolts stuff: Don Casey is a bit too glib & simplistic but certainly better than nothing for the "challenged" and he covers more bases than Calder,albeit using more titles to do so. Anything by Tristan Jones, providing it is remembered that the truth shouldn't be allowed to compromise a good yarn. Any good "sailing" library should include Joshua Slocum. Ditto Eric Hiscock,Miles Smeeton, the Pardeys , John Guzwell, Moitessier and many others, the 'pioneers' of sailing small boats on large waters. Good reading, all. I take issue with 'Wooden Boats' by Michael Ruhlman: it should be subtitled " the tale of a wooden-boat groupie". It belonged where I found it, on the "bargain books" table outside the store.
by C.N.Davies - 134 pages, long out-of-print account of an English man with a large family, a small income and a great love of boats & sailing. If anyone is feeling overwhelmed by tackling a DIY boat repair etc, reading this little book should restore their spirits & confidence. I vote for Nigel Calder for the nuts & bolts stuff: Don Casey is a bit too glib & simplistic but certainly better than nothing for the "challenged" and he covers more bases than Calder,albeit using more titles to do so. Anything by Tristan Jones, providing it is remembered that the truth shouldn't be allowed to compromise a good yarn. Any good "sailing" library should include Joshua Slocum. Ditto Eric Hiscock,Miles Smeeton, the Pardeys , John Guzwell, Moitessier and many others, the 'pioneers' of sailing small boats on large waters. Good reading, all. I take issue with 'Wooden Boats' by Michael Ruhlman: it should be subtitled " the tale of a wooden-boat groupie". It belonged where I found it, on the "bargain books" table outside the store.
TJ is great reading but,
its not real. I have read too much on Tristan Jones, for someone that isnt the real deal. Gannon Benjiman, and Michael Ruhlman of Wooden Boats, are the real deal! tt should do his homework on wooden boats
its not real. I have read too much on Tristan Jones, for someone that isnt the real deal. Gannon Benjiman, and Michael Ruhlman of Wooden Boats, are the real deal! tt should do his homework on wooden boats
Did my homework, George
The last bit of wooden boat "homework" I did involved a chainsaw & a bonfire, but before that sad event I did manage to own 3 of 'em, sail on a couple more and even built two little ones. And still dutifully buy and save 'Wooden Boat' magazine, from July/Aug 1980 to the present. How much more "homework" is necessary to express an opinion about a book? This forum is about books, not people, and I'll stick to my guns abt. Ruhlmans' book, an opinion apparently widely shared, given where I found it. I don't fault Ruhlmans' enthusiasm or his subject, but given that, by his own admission, he..."was not a sailor or a boatbuilder"...and he had"no particular affinity for boats generally" I feel that referring to him as a "wooden boat groupie" is apt. To equate Ruhlman with Gannon & Benjamin is to admit you don't know the difference between the sizzle and the steak.
The last bit of wooden boat "homework" I did involved a chainsaw & a bonfire, but before that sad event I did manage to own 3 of 'em, sail on a couple more and even built two little ones. And still dutifully buy and save 'Wooden Boat' magazine, from July/Aug 1980 to the present. How much more "homework" is necessary to express an opinion about a book? This forum is about books, not people, and I'll stick to my guns abt. Ruhlmans' book, an opinion apparently widely shared, given where I found it. I don't fault Ruhlmans' enthusiasm or his subject, but given that, by his own admission, he..."was not a sailor or a boatbuilder"...and he had"no particular affinity for boats generally" I feel that referring to him as a "wooden boat groupie" is apt. To equate Ruhlman with Gannon & Benjamin is to admit you don't know the difference between the sizzle and the steak.
Post Script
Still have 2¢ for the pot, & would like to add a couple of titles for consideration in the "library". Skeene's 'Elements of Yacht Design' and Dave Gerr's 'Elements of Boat Strength' for them that wants a few insights into design considerations, and Peter Baumgartners 'London Goes to Sea' for folks who, like me, are trying to come to terms with an older 'glass boat.
Still have 2¢ for the pot, & would like to add a couple of titles for consideration in the "library". Skeene's 'Elements of Yacht Design' and Dave Gerr's 'Elements of Boat Strength' for them that wants a few insights into design considerations, and Peter Baumgartners 'London Goes to Sea' for folks who, like me, are trying to come to terms with an older 'glass boat.
Post Script 2
It's light reading on modern day wooden boat builders, for CRYING OUT LOUD!!!! Most authors dont do it, havent done it, never will do it. They research thier project, and write about it. You read Tristan Jones, and recomend it, he lied about most of what he did. I too, have years of Wooden Boat mags saved, but dont feel qualified to criticize some authors work, the way you have. If this forum is about books, then I'll stick to my guns, and say, read Micheal Ruhlman's book, WOODEN BOATS, you will enjoy it
It's light reading on modern day wooden boat builders, for CRYING OUT LOUD!!!! Most authors dont do it, havent done it, never will do it. They research thier project, and write about it. You read Tristan Jones, and recomend it, he lied about most of what he did. I too, have years of Wooden Boat mags saved, but dont feel qualified to criticize some authors work, the way you have. If this forum is about books, then I'll stick to my guns, and say, read Micheal Ruhlman's book, WOODEN BOATS, you will enjoy it
- Status