Sailing books for a 13 yr old girl learning and loving sailing

[Tereza]

Roger - you are so right about this awesome forum!

My head is spinning! I am not only getting a great reading list for Maude, but for myself too!!!! And for Ali, the little sister, who is also sailing.Thank you all SO much - this was really wonderful!I've started reading Maiden Voyage myself...I see why all the great recommendations!What I went with for Maude this time around:Small Boats on Green Waters: A Treasury of Good Reading on Coastal and Inland Cruising Thought it would be the best introduction to reading about sailing, and she can take any of those authors furthur. And, it's about inland and coastal sailing - I'll wait a little longer before getting her the "round the world alone' books!Also, this particular selection happened to have stories about a few parts of the world that have great meaning for her, and some of the authors are those you've all mentioned here.A friend who has sailed around the world for the past 10 years recommended Dove, by Robin Graham.I also picked up 'The Biggest Boat I could Afford', Lee Hughes...about sailing up the intracoastal in a 16' dinghy. (Ross - couldn't find the Jack Decrow book).So now that the all-important gift book is wrapped and on its way, I am going to compile this list, head over to the library and the internet to find these free or used, and get busy reading myself, as well as preparing gifts for future occasions. I am so inspired!!!!!! Thank you everyone.

 

[Tereza]

Candlewood Lake, and a stork - read on

Lou - great story! I hope it was summer - I flipped in mid-October - tweren't no fun!A Blue Jay was almost my first boat, probably right about 35 yrs ago, in Mamaroneck, NY. The kid got a better offer after taking mine, thoguh I had given him a deposit. I thanked him later on for wiggling out of that deal. Who knows - maybe it was the same boat!It is a beautiful lake, but a challenge to sail, and just a tad more crowded then it was back then. I'm adding your book to the list too...I really can't get over what a great set of suggestions I got here.Wow - maybe I should ask for stock tips next!!Oh - and btw, one of my favorite passages from a sailing book...many, many years ago, I stumbled upon a 1935 edition of "Learning to Sail", by H.A. Calahan. It was a lovely read...Then found "Learning to Race", same author, 1936...the opening chapter is a hoot...I think this link should open on the chapter "Unverifiable matter"...Enjoy!

 

[Ross]

Tereza, I grew up in Newtown so Lake Candlewood is well known to me.

I watched when they built the dam on the housatonic river in the early fifty's.Please let us know in the future how she has responded to the books.Have a great summer.Ross

 

[r.w.landau]

Tereza, It was boating that got me to love it.

I have been boating since I was 5 months old. I am 53. It is in the blood.I love water. It is beautiful, fearsome, calm, unpredictable, wonderful... It was always the unexpected that lasted as memories. Never tragic but very challenging.When I could not get enough, then I turned to books. Then I ran out of real books!To me,water is a disease.I love it, and it lures me where I shouldn't be. It infects and stays with you for a long time. I am not dead, so I can not tell you how long the infection lasts.r.w.landau

 

[catwithhat]

The Wanderer

Give this a try. It is maybe written for little younger readers than 13 but it so well written and full of interesting aspects that I think a young teenager (as many adults) will still find it interesting. I've read it a number of times now. My boys love it even though the main character is a girl! It is story of discovery and self-discovery for everybody on board. A must read on my boat.http://trumpetclub.com/intermediate/activities/wanderer.htm

 

[Dan]

the joy of Sailing litterature

What a fun category. Tinkerbelle by Robert Manry, A Voyage for Madmen, by Peter Nichols, 10 Hours until dawn , Michael Tougias.

 

[Tereza]

Write your own!

R.W. - since you've "run out of books", maybe you shoudl write some!! What a wonderful read your post is!Cat with Hat - that one might be ideal for her little sister Ali (my god daughter.Ross - in case you're wondering, yes, the flagpole is still inteh middle of the intersection...what is it about Connecticut...Ridgefield has its fountain in the middle of a major intersection that serves as target practice every 3 yrs or so - does that flagpole get hit regularly too?Once again, thanks! I may consolidate all these posts and put them up in one of the reference areas on this site.And I surely will post a follow up on her reaction - and perhaps post her tracking beacon so you can all see 'where in the world is Maude' as she takes this all to heart!!

 

[letterman]

try google

Sorry to say I read too much. That means I rarely bookmark anything or write it down. That said, a few months ago I somehow found some really great cruising sites written by kids, from age 5 to 20. They were awesome and I am sure your daughter would really enjoy them.http://cruisenews.net/db/voyagelogs.php

 

[CalebD]

Written by a woman - "An embarassment of Mangoes"

A Canadian woman author at that. It chronicles their moving aboard their boat in the Great Lakes and their journey down to the Caribbean and back. Anne Vanderhoof is the author if I am not mistaken. It might be a little adult for a 13 year old as they do seem to like their rum drinks. I found it a good, quick read.http://www.amazon.com/Embarrassment-Mangoes-Caribbean-Interlude/dp/0767914279From across the aisle in the testosterone section.I second what others have said about Joshua Slocum's books. Perfectly clean and pure sailing (although around the world alone is just that).Something that is on my "to read" list is linked below, entitled: "The Boy, Me, and the Cat: Life Aboard a Small Boat from Massachusetts to Florida and Back in 1912". I have not read it yet but it sounds innocent enough and it is not about going around the world and sounds as though it has some interesting historical insights as to what our coastline was like back in 1912.I am currently almost done with re-reading the Patrick O'Brian "Aubrey, Maturin" series (a little tough for a 13 year old) and plan on reading the previously mentioned book once I finish all 18 in the series.Fair winds and following seas.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

My wife read An Embarassment Of Mangoes

I credit the book from converting her from boat passenger to happily involved sailing participant.( Now can anybody advise on a book written from a women's view on why everyman needs a Hinckley?)

 

[Tereza]

Quitting my day job to read sailing books

Letterman...that is a great site -thanks!Caleb- sounds good. I know the Jack aubrey series - hubby got just about everyone as "books on CD", so have listened to parts of most of them. (Funny thing - on one of the later books, he actuallyhad it in random order- chapters were read in a totally random sequence - and he didn't notice!!)And Lance - I may have to give hubby "An Embarrassment of Mangoes" - while Phil loves the adventure and para-history of the Aubrey books, he is at best a reluctant sailor.