100 Best Boating Books of All Time
We've researched and ranked the best boating books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more
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For readers of Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit and Unbroken, the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in...
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Satya NadellaNadella calls this tale with a local Seattle connection—it involves an underdog University of Washington crew team and the 1936 Berlin Olympics—”A wonderful illustration of the importance of teamwork, which was a core part of my focus out of the gate as CEO. (Source)
Ryan HolidayAnother great narrative nonfiction out this year that I hope you’ll like is: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. (Source)
Gail KellyMember of the Group of 30, and former CEO of Westpac will be spending her summer months reading a memoir, a novel and historical non-fiction. (Source)
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A comic masterpiece that has never been out of print since it was first published in 1889, Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat includes an introduction and notes by Jeremy Lewis in Penguin Classics.
Martyrs to hypochondria and general seediness, J. and his friends George and Harris decide that a jaunt up the Thames would suit them to a 'T'. But when they set off, they can hardly predict the troubles that lie ahead with tow-ropes, unreliable weather forecasts and tins of pineapple chunks - not to mention the devastation left in the wake of J.'s small fox-terrier... more
Martyrs to hypochondria and general seediness, J. and his friends George and Harris decide that a jaunt up the Thames would suit them to a 'T'. But when they set off, they can hardly predict the troubles that lie ahead with tow-ropes, unreliable weather forecasts and tins of pineapple chunks - not to mention the devastation left in the wake of J.'s small fox-terrier... more
Recommended by Allen MacDuffie, and 1 others. Allen MacDuffieThe story is about three friends taking a weekend trip up the Thames in a rowing boat. But then there’s the dog … (Source)
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"The definitive guide to designing, installing, and maintaining electrical and mechanical systems on your boat"
"Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual" covers virtually anything on a sail or power boat with moving parts: engine, electrical, steering systems, winches, pumps, refrigeration, plumbing, rigging.
Updated to include new chapters and information about hybrid propulsion system, distributed power systems, electrical systems design, and fuel cells, it explores situations for legacy boats (traditional power) and explores options for new boats (hybrid power,... more
"Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual" covers virtually anything on a sail or power boat with moving parts: engine, electrical, steering systems, winches, pumps, refrigeration, plumbing, rigging.
Updated to include new chapters and information about hybrid propulsion system, distributed power systems, electrical systems design, and fuel cells, it explores situations for legacy boats (traditional power) and explores options for new boats (hybrid power,... more
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Learn the essentials of seamanship from one of the world's premier boating organizations Developed and refined through 40 years of Coast Guard Auxiliary training courses, Boating Skills and Seamanship is your perfect introduction to recreational boating's fundamentals. Great for beginning and intermediate powerboaters alike, it offers you the basics of choosing, equipping, and handling a small to midsize powerboat.
This updated edition of the Coast Guard Auxiliary's classic boating skills manual will answer all your questions on:
Selecting the right... more
This updated edition of the Coast Guard Auxiliary's classic boating skills manual will answer all your questions on:
Selecting the right... more
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From one of Outside magazine’s “Literary All-Stars” comes the thrilling true tale of the fastest boat ride ever, down the entire length of the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon, during the legendary flood of 1983.
In the tradition of The Perfect Storm and Seabiscuit, the engrossing tale of the fastest boat ride ever down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
In the winter of 1983, the largest El Niño event on record—a chain of “superstorms” that swept in from the Pacific Ocean—battered the entire West. That spring, a massive... more
In the tradition of The Perfect Storm and Seabiscuit, the engrossing tale of the fastest boat ride ever down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
In the winter of 1983, the largest El Niño event on record—a chain of “superstorms” that swept in from the Pacific Ocean—battered the entire West. That spring, a massive... more
Recommended by Carl Bass, and 1 others. 7
From Amazon:
The sailing vessel Albatross went down in a White Squall in 1961. The young man at the helm that fateful day, now in his seventies, meets Breeze in Pelican Bay. Together they set out to revisit the scene and allow for a final reckoning. Modern-day pirates interrupt their quest. They will be made to pay.
Meanwhile, a pesky private detective resurfaces, threatening to reveal dark secrets. Breeze devises a plan to take care of the pirates and his nemesis at the same time. He is forced to race against time as a statewide Coronavirus lockdown looms. less
The sailing vessel Albatross went down in a White Squall in 1961. The young man at the helm that fateful day, now in his seventies, meets Breeze in Pelican Bay. Together they set out to revisit the scene and allow for a final reckoning. Modern-day pirates interrupt their quest. They will be made to pay.
Meanwhile, a pesky private detective resurfaces, threatening to reveal dark secrets. Breeze devises a plan to take care of the pirates and his nemesis at the same time. He is forced to race against time as a statewide Coronavirus lockdown looms. less
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Upon arriving, the friends are besieged by Amazon pirates, Nancy and Peggy, who claim ownership of the land. Luckily, the Swallows and Amazons soon call a truce and set off together on wild escapades, camping under open skies, swimming, fishing, and exploring.
This deluxe hardcover edition of Arthur Ransome's charming tale will find a treasured spot in many home libraries as well as transport children to a real-life Neverland, a fantastical place where they can roam freely without an adult in sight. less
This deluxe hardcover edition of Arthur Ransome's charming tale will find a treasured spot in many home libraries as well as transport children to a real-life Neverland, a fantastical place where they can roam freely without an adult in sight. less
Recommended by Richard Branson, and 1 others. Richard BransonToday is World Book Day, a wonderful opportunity to address this #ChallengeRichard sent in by Mike Gonzalez of New Jersey: Make a list of your top 65 books to read in a lifetime. (Source)
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Power Boating For Dummies is a guide to power boating for both new and experienced boaters. It advises readers of necessary boating supplies, safety concerns and equipment, accessories, and includes locations of boating facilities, and how to safely pilot the ship. less
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
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Brady loves life on the Chesapeake Bay with his friends J.T. and Digger. But developers and rich families are moving into the area, and while Brady befriends some of them, like the DiAngelos, his parents and friends are bitter about the changes. Tragedy strikes when the DiAngelos’ kayak overturns in the bay, and Brady wonders if it was more than an accident. Soon, Brady discovers the terrible truth behind the kayak’s sinking, and it will change the lives of those he loves forever. Priscilla Cummings deftly weaves a suspenseful tale of three teenagers caught in a wicked web of deception. less
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The boater’s essential reference celebrates its 100th anniversary!
For a century, Chapman has been an indispensable, trusted resource for boating under power and sail. It has sold millions of copies, and is a must-have for virtually anyone who puts a craft on water. Featuring 1,500 color photos, this updated edition covers new technologies, maritime laws and regulations, safety tips, and maintenance, as well as complete discussions of weather, tides, currents, and navigation. From anchors and knots to sailing theory and sail-handling systems, Chapman Piloting and... more
For a century, Chapman has been an indispensable, trusted resource for boating under power and sail. It has sold millions of copies, and is a must-have for virtually anyone who puts a craft on water. Featuring 1,500 color photos, this updated edition covers new technologies, maritime laws and regulations, safety tips, and maintenance, as well as complete discussions of weather, tides, currents, and navigation. From anchors and knots to sailing theory and sail-handling systems, Chapman Piloting and... more
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The definitive guide from the world's best-known sailboat maintenance expert
Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual combines six core volumes into a single, utterly dependable resource that answers every frequent question, explains every major system, and helps you keep your boat and its components shipshape.
More than 2,500 clear and detailed illustrations guide you step by step through every procedure. Casey's technical virtuosity, his user-friendly explanations, and Peter Compton's diesel engine expertise make even the more... more
Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual combines six core volumes into a single, utterly dependable resource that answers every frequent question, explains every major system, and helps you keep your boat and its components shipshape.
More than 2,500 clear and detailed illustrations guide you step by step through every procedure. Casey's technical virtuosity, his user-friendly explanations, and Peter Compton's diesel engine expertise make even the more... more
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Your quick-access guide to international and U.S. boating rules
The U.S. Coast Guard requires every boat more than 39-feet long to carry a copy of the nautical rules of the road onboard. Here's one that is convenient and handy enough for quick reference on the water. This bestselling guide includes the full text of the original rules, and Charlie Wing's clear, rule-by-rule translations make them easy to follow. It also includes a "One-Minute Guide Decision Tree" and a brief overview of the rules' intent to give you a good idea of what to do in any common situation. less
The U.S. Coast Guard requires every boat more than 39-feet long to carry a copy of the nautical rules of the road onboard. Here's one that is convenient and handy enough for quick reference on the water. This bestselling guide includes the full text of the original rules, and Charlie Wing's clear, rule-by-rule translations make them easy to follow. It also includes a "One-Minute Guide Decision Tree" and a brief overview of the rules' intent to give you a good idea of what to do in any common situation. less
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'Don't even think of buying a boat until you have read this book'. -Tom Cunliffe (legendary sailor and author of The Complete Yachtmaster). The idea that you have to be rich to travel the world on your own yacht is so universal, it goes largely unquestioned This book hopes to change all that. If you are not rich, but dream of seeing our beautiful world from the deck of your own yacht, this book is packed with practical and spiritual advice to help you cut through the endless marketing and identify what it is you truly need to become a modern sea gypsy and sail away forever..." less
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Praise for this boating classic:
"The most up-to-date and readable book we've seen on the subject."--Sailing World
"Deserves a place on any diesel-powered boat."--Motor Boat & Yachting
"Clear, logical, and even interesting to read."--Cruising World
Keep your diesel engine going with help from a master mechanic
Marine Diesel Engines has been the bible for do-it-yourself boatowners for more than 15 years. Now updated with information on fuel injection systems, electronic engine controls, and... more
"The most up-to-date and readable book we've seen on the subject."--Sailing World
"Deserves a place on any diesel-powered boat."--Motor Boat & Yachting
"Clear, logical, and even interesting to read."--Cruising World
Keep your diesel engine going with help from a master mechanic
Marine Diesel Engines has been the bible for do-it-yourself boatowners for more than 15 years. Now updated with information on fuel injection systems, electronic engine controls, and... more
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From the co-founder of the International Guide of Knot Tyers, comes an oversize, easy-to follow guide perfect for sailers, campers, fishermen, climbers, and everyone else who might want or need to tie a solid, useful knot
This beautifully illustrated, full-color guide unties the mysteries of more than eighty knots. Using clear photographs and diagrams, as well as straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions, any reader can master knots for fishing, boating, climbing, crafts, and household uses.
Climbers will feel safer knowing they have tied the perfect Water or... more
This beautifully illustrated, full-color guide unties the mysteries of more than eighty knots. Using clear photographs and diagrams, as well as straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions, any reader can master knots for fishing, boating, climbing, crafts, and household uses.
Climbers will feel safer knowing they have tied the perfect Water or... more
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
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"Anyone who contemplates any onboard do-it-yourself work should have this book at his or her elbow."--Cruising World
"This book reduces a boat to its most rudimentary parts in simple drawings and clear explanations. Fascinating to read, it's a perfect teaching tool."--Ocean Navigator
Whether you're a new mariner or a lifetime veteran, How Boat Things Work is a resource you can't afford to be without. With intricate two-color cutaway drawings of eighty different systems and devices, as well as detailed explanations of how they're assembled, how they... more
"This book reduces a boat to its most rudimentary parts in simple drawings and clear explanations. Fascinating to read, it's a perfect teaching tool."--Ocean Navigator
Whether you're a new mariner or a lifetime veteran, How Boat Things Work is a resource you can't afford to be without. With intricate two-color cutaway drawings of eighty different systems and devices, as well as detailed explanations of how they're assembled, how they... more
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Before The Perfect Storm, before In the Heart of the Sea, Steven Callahan's dramatic tale of survival at sea was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than thirty-six weeks. In some ways the model for the new wave of adventure books, Adrift is an undeniable seafaring classic, a riveting firsthand account by the only man known to have survived more than a month alone at sea, fighting for his life in an inflatable raft after his small sloop capsized only six days out. Adrift is a must-have for any adventure library. less
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The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud tells the haunting story of a young man who narrowly survives a terrible car wreck that kills his little brother. Years later, the brothers’ bond remains so strong that it transcends the normal boundaries separating life and death. Charlie St. Cloud lives in a snug New England fishing village. By day he tends the lawns and monuments of the ancient cemetery where his younger brother, Sam, is buried. Graced with an extraordinary gift after surviving the accident, he can still see, talk, and even play catch with Sam’s spirit. But townsfolk whisper... more
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
32
An essential reference book for sailing enthusiasts, now in its fourth edition with a foreword by quadruple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie.
Learn the basics of sailing, master navigation, and maintain your boat with The Complete Sailing Manual, written by instructor and former British national champion Steve Sleight. This authoritative text has clear, annotated diagrams and photographs that answer questions about any sailing situation with thorough coverage of all aspects of sailing and boat ownership. Look up how to rig a dinghy, tie basic knots, or save someone who fell... more
Learn the basics of sailing, master navigation, and maintain your boat with The Complete Sailing Manual, written by instructor and former British national champion Steve Sleight. This authoritative text has clear, annotated diagrams and photographs that answer questions about any sailing situation with thorough coverage of all aspects of sailing and boat ownership. Look up how to rig a dinghy, tie basic knots, or save someone who fell... more
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The classic travel narrative of a Don Quixote-of-the-seas – the first man to circumnavigate the world singlehandedly.
Joshua Slocum’s autobiographical account of his solo trip around the world is one of the most remarkable – and entertaining – travel narratives of all time. Setting off alone from Boston aboard the thirty-six-foot wooden sloop Spray in April 1895, Captain Slocum went on to join the ranks of the world’s great circumnavigators – Magellan, Drake, and Cook. But by circling the globe without crew or consorts, Slocum would outdo them all: his three-year solo... more
Joshua Slocum’s autobiographical account of his solo trip around the world is one of the most remarkable – and entertaining – travel narratives of all time. Setting off alone from Boston aboard the thirty-six-foot wooden sloop Spray in April 1895, Captain Slocum went on to join the ranks of the world’s great circumnavigators – Magellan, Drake, and Cook. But by circling the globe without crew or consorts, Slocum would outdo them all: his three-year solo... more
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John Kretschmer is sailing's practical philosopher--as much a doer as a thinker. And that is the overarching theme of this chronicle of a sailing life. Often amusing, sometimes poignant, occasionally terrifying but always inspiring, his deeply personal account is a welcome reminder about the good life waiting at sea.
With hundreds of thousands of nautical miles under his keel, Kretschmer's adventures have taken him several times around the world, with challenging crossings of the Atlantic and the Pacific, a narrow escape from a coup in Yemen, an unlikely deliverance from a coral... more
With hundreds of thousands of nautical miles under his keel, Kretschmer's adventures have taken him several times around the world, with challenging crossings of the Atlantic and the Pacific, a narrow escape from a coup in Yemen, an unlikely deliverance from a coral... more
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Choosing a boat that is right for your family; handling the naysayers; keeping your children safe, healthy and entertained afloat—this inspirational and comprehensive guide may be just what you need to turn your dream into a reality. The three authors, who have each voyaged thousands of miles with children on board, provide a factual and balanced look at the realities of life on the sea. From their own experience and with information from interviews with dozens of other voyaging parents, they discuss caring for an infant on board, handling the changing needs of children as they grow,... more
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A marine archaeologist and a salvager join forces to search for a legendary treasure in this novel that takes readers to the depths of the Caribbean and the heights of passion and suspense—from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts.
Tate Beaumont has a passion for treasure-hunting. Over the years, she and her father have uncovered many fabulous riches, but one treasure has always eluded them: Angelique’s Curse—a jeweled amulet heavy with history, dark with legend, and tainted with blood. In order to find this precious artifact, the Beaumonts reluctantly form a... more
Tate Beaumont has a passion for treasure-hunting. Over the years, she and her father have uncovered many fabulous riches, but one treasure has always eluded them: Angelique’s Curse—a jeweled amulet heavy with history, dark with legend, and tainted with blood. In order to find this precious artifact, the Beaumonts reluctantly form a... more
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Reviews of previous edition:
An excellent definitive book... something you must read if you are going to build a woodstrip canoe. -- Canoeist
If you want to build a strip-plank canoe or kayak, Canoecraft is the book to buy... A very comprehensive boatbuilding book and highly recommended. -- Water Craft
A Woodworking Magazine Top 40 Book
Now revised and expanded with 32 pages of color and an updated resources section, this 70,000-copy international bestseller, known as the 'Bible of canoe building' is back, bigger and... more
An excellent definitive book... something you must read if you are going to build a woodstrip canoe. -- Canoeist
If you want to build a strip-plank canoe or kayak, Canoecraft is the book to buy... A very comprehensive boatbuilding book and highly recommended. -- Water Craft
A Woodworking Magazine Top 40 Book
Now revised and expanded with 32 pages of color and an updated resources section, this 70,000-copy international bestseller, known as the 'Bible of canoe building' is back, bigger and... more
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A beginner’s guide to knot tying for both the child and the child at heart.
Knot tying might be an unusual, humble craft, but it is also one of the most useful and practical skills that continues to instruct and entertain people of all ages, whether child or adult. Specifically catered to the young at heart, this charming picture guidebook of knots will school your child, grandchild, godchild, and perhaps even yourself in the valuable art of knot tying.
While knots may not be easy to learn, My First Book of Knots simplifies the craft and brings the reader... more
Knot tying might be an unusual, humble craft, but it is also one of the most useful and practical skills that continues to instruct and entertain people of all ages, whether child or adult. Specifically catered to the young at heart, this charming picture guidebook of knots will school your child, grandchild, godchild, and perhaps even yourself in the valuable art of knot tying.
While knots may not be easy to learn, My First Book of Knots simplifies the craft and brings the reader... more
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
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This is not just an instructional book---it's an insight into a sailor's approach to the sea, boats, and the ever-changing dynamic of wind on the water
"A learn-to-sail book with heart."--WoodenBoat
"A real winner...a masterful blend of straightforward text with delightful and instructive illustrations. Quite simply a great primer on sailing and the world of boats for readers of all ages."--Cruising World
"Teaches sailing with flair and poetry."--SAIL
"A great walk-through for the novice, both entertaining and... more
"A learn-to-sail book with heart."--WoodenBoat
"A real winner...a masterful blend of straightforward text with delightful and instructive illustrations. Quite simply a great primer on sailing and the world of boats for readers of all ages."--Cruising World
"Teaches sailing with flair and poetry."--SAIL
"A great walk-through for the novice, both entertaining and... more
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Waterproof Cover and Detachable Practice Rope
Packed with helpful step-by-step instructions and beautifully detailed illustrations, Marine Knots includes forty different knots every water sportsperson—including sailors, motor boat enthusiasts, waterskiers, paddle boarders, kayakers, canoers, and more need to practice their craft or hobby safely and confidently. With Marine Knots, you’ll learn how to tie a variety of common knots, including:
Stopper Knots
Hitch Knots
Lashing Knots
Eyes or Closed Loops
Bend... more
Packed with helpful step-by-step instructions and beautifully detailed illustrations, Marine Knots includes forty different knots every water sportsperson—including sailors, motor boat enthusiasts, waterskiers, paddle boarders, kayakers, canoers, and more need to practice their craft or hobby safely and confidently. With Marine Knots, you’ll learn how to tie a variety of common knots, including:
Stopper Knots
Hitch Knots
Lashing Knots
Eyes or Closed Loops
Bend... more
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Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone BeforeTwo centuries after James Cook's epic voyages of discovery, Tony Horwitz takes readers on a wild ride across hemispheres and centuries to recapture the Captain's adventures and explore his embattled legacy in today's Pacific. Horwitz, a Pulitzer Prize-winner and author of Confederates in the Attic, works as a sailor aboard a replica of Cook's ship, meets island kings and beauty queens, and carouses the South Seas with a hilarious and disgraceful travel companion, an Aussie named Roger. He also creates a brilliant portrait of Cook: an impoverished... more
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Both powerboaters and sailboaters will find within the pages of Chapman's the crucial information they need to participate safely in their sport, whether as weekend sailors or seasoned voyagers. Chapman's includes all the most recent advances in boating, including in-depth information on navigation using satellite technology, recommended procedures in emergency situations, as well as all of the current laws and regulations governing the nation's waterways. Features include more than 1,500 illustrations and full-color maps, extensive subject cross-referencing, dozens of sidebars, color-coded... more
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
51
In recent years, sailing has undergone some revolutionary changes: Satellites and autopilots are now used for navigation. Artificial-fiber and wire ropes have nearly replaced natural-fiber ropes. But when it comes to decorative knotting, natural fiber is still the favored choice. This book is tops when it comes to learning how to master tying the most common sailing knots. With fully illustrated and step-by-step instructions, the author explains how to correctly tie and use more than fifty knots--including stopper knots, bends, loops, and hitches--and in which situations each one is most... more
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This is the completely-updated 2nd Edition of Peggie Hall's famous book "Get Rid of Boat Odors." "The New Get Rid of Boat Odors, 2nd ed." by Peggie Hall, known by many of her fans as "The Headmistress," will teach you how to eliminate annoying odors on your boat by treating the source instead of perfuming the symptoms. It covers all aspects of marine sanitation as well as other odor-causing problems like dirty bilge areas in an easy to understand format. The focus is to instruct the reader on how to resolve odor problems, not just disguise them. In addition there are extensive appendices... more
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This new edition includes over 220 anchorages and ports of one of the most popular cruising grounds in the world for boats. Written by former Pacific Yachting columnist Anne Vipond and boating writer William Kelly, they have assembled from over 30 years of cruising knowledge the very best coves and bays to drop anchor and enjoy the scenery of this beautiful coast. Hundreds of colour photographs and maps of all the anchorages. less
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Adventure abounds on the Bonny Scot in Boston Harbor as Nancy helps Captain Easterly uncover the mystery of his ghostly visitors. From the moment, the clever young detective and her friends, Bess and George, stay on the old clipper ship they are confronted with fire, theft, unseen trespassers and other dangers. Nancy faces an additional challenge: to find a clue to the clipper’s missing figurehead. The lost “wooden lady” is needed establish a clear title to the ship. Nancy wonders why the prime suspect in the recent robbery at the Marvin home is in Boston and is easily entering and leaving... more
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A Dolphin Book Club Main Selection, The Capable Cruiser illustrates how successful cruising is the result of a combination of factors including a homogeneous crew, proper preparation, solid gear, regular maintenance and exemplary seamanship. This book is the sequel to The Self Sufficient Sailor. This is indeed the global bible of cruising sailors. less
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When boat designer George Buehler realized that he no longer wanted to cruise the world's oceans under sail, he decided to create a line of powerboats that sailors could love and anyone could afford. For inspiration, he turned to the light, lithe salmon trollers of the Pacific Northwest, among the most efficient, seaworthy, and beautiful powerboats ever built. With plans for troller yachts from 38 to 70 feet and detailed information about everything from design theory, building, and outfitting to converting commercial boats, this book is essential reading for anyone thinking about ocean... more
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Since the death of her husband, Anne Dunne and her three children have struggled in every way. In a last ditch effort to save the family, Anne plans an elaborate sailing vacation to bring everyone together once again. But only an hour out of port, everything is going wrong. The teenage daughter, Carrie, is planning to drown herself. The teenage son, Mark, is high on drugs and ten-year-old Ernie is nearly catatonic. This is the worst vacation ever.
Anne manages to pull things together bit by bit, but just as they begin feeling like a family again, something catastrophic happens. Survival may...
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A full-color guide to mastering seventy useful knots for sailors, fisherman, campers, climbers, homeowners, and all lovers of the outdoors.
The Morrow Guide to Knots includes clear, illustrated step-by-step instructions that teach you how to tie dozens of knots, from the swivel hitch and grapevine knot to the knotted sheepshank, the Spanish bowline, and the stopper knot. Each photo captures the way you see the knot as you make it. And when two or more ropes are involved, they are color coded to help you clearly tell them apart.
Filled with more than 600... more
The Morrow Guide to Knots includes clear, illustrated step-by-step instructions that teach you how to tie dozens of knots, from the swivel hitch and grapevine knot to the knotted sheepshank, the Spanish bowline, and the stopper knot. Each photo captures the way you see the knot as you make it. And when two or more ropes are involved, they are color coded to help you clearly tell them apart.
Filled with more than 600... more
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The late Hervey Garrett Smith was the foremost marine illustrator of the 1950s and 1960s, and his wonderful drawings of traditional ropework quickly propelled. The Marlinspike Sailor to cult classic status when it was published in 1956. With the addition of a section on modern, synthetic rope in the 1970s, its popularity has continued undiminished to this day. It teaches a few basic knots-the bowline, sheetbend, rolling hitch, et al.-and splices in three-stranded and braided rope. But its real business is decorative rope and canvas work-the traditional arts of the sailor-and here it has no... more
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
61
Learn how to design, make, repair, improve, and maintain sails If you want to produce sturdy sails for daysailing and cruising, built of low-tech materials you can repair with a few simple tools, The Sailmaker's Apprentice can show you how. Emphasizing the handwork that distinguishes the highest-quality, most durable sails, sail pro Emiliano Marino tells you how to select a rig, introduces you to sail shape and theory, and then shows you -- step by step, with the help of over 700 detailed illustrations -- how to sew patches, hand sew rings, fix tears or frayed edges, and stitch seams, not to... more
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Sail boats, row boats, ferry boats and speedboats: find them all and discover how they work in this fun-filled picture book. Then take a cruise on an ocean liner, crewed by our favorite animal characters, in a jolly rhyming journey. less
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In Ship Modeling Simplified, master model builder Frank Mastini puts to paper the methods he's developed over 30 years at the workbench to help novices take their first steps in an exciting pastime. You don't need the deftness of a surgeon or the vocabulary of an old salt to build a model. What you need is an understanding coach. Mastini leads readers from the mysteries of choosing a kit and setting up a workshop through deciphering complicated instructions and on to painting, decorating, and displaying finished models--with patience and clarity, not condescension. He reveals dozens of... more
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The Exploring the Pacific Coast, 2nd Edition contains recently researched information of all the places to tie up or anchor your boat from the Mexican border to Seattle. Over 500 of the best marinas and anchor sites are detailed with chart numbers, GPS waypoints, entrance and harbor diagrams, as well as specific information on marinas, complete with phone numbers and websites. The entrance bars of the northern coast are detailed with Proven Cruising Routes, numerous aerial photographs and key local knowledge. Covered in exacting detail are all the boating areas: San Diego to Santa... more
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Based on the Alton Wallace 18' round-bilged outboard skiff known as the West Pointer, the Ocean Pointer is a bit larger, and a significantly drier boat with a sweeping sheer, able to accommodate a 25-75 hp outboard. Designer/builder David Stimson created this boat to be strip-built (narrow pieces of wood), which is an especially forgiving building method for the less experienced builder. This new book provides step-by-step instructions on the building process so the reader will easily be able to determine if this is their ideal craft, and if so inclined, have at it. She'll move nicely through... more
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What you need to know to work your way up the fleet--from the first start to winning the finish
"With Cort and Stearns' enthusiasm for the topic and straightforward advice, it's hard not to read this book without picturing yourself rounding the buoys just ahead of the rest of the fleet."
--"Soundings"
Now an established classic, "Getting Started in Sailboat Racing" is the one racers come back to after the race to see what they might have done better; it is the book captains share with their new crew to make sure all have the foundational knowledge to get the boat... more
"With Cort and Stearns' enthusiasm for the topic and straightforward advice, it's hard not to read this book without picturing yourself rounding the buoys just ahead of the rest of the fleet."
--"Soundings"
Now an established classic, "Getting Started in Sailboat Racing" is the one racers come back to after the race to see what they might have done better; it is the book captains share with their new crew to make sure all have the foundational knowledge to get the boat... more
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Navigation Rules & Regulations HandbookSupersedes Commandant Instruction M16672.2D
The Official USCG Navigation Rules book is now called, Navigation Rules & Regulations Handbook. Containing - International and Inland Rules of the Road and their respective Annexes, - Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone, Regulations, - Vessel Traffic Management Regulations, - Other pertinent regulations for waterway users." less
The Official USCG Navigation Rules book is now called, Navigation Rules & Regulations Handbook. Containing - International and Inland Rules of the Road and their respective Annexes, - Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone, Regulations, - Vessel Traffic Management Regulations, - Other pertinent regulations for waterway users." less
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This book is about learning to sail. It follows the techniques perfected at the world-famous Annapolis Sailing School, where thousands of people just like you have learned to take tiller in hand and harness the wind. You'll learn your way around a boat--what its parts are called, what they do, and how to use them to ride the wind wherever you want to go. Read this book, spend some time on a boat, and practice your new skills, and pretty soon you'll "be" a sailor, one of a select group of people who think there's nothing finer than hiking out to windward in a close-hauled dinghy--racing... more
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- Provides sufficient detail to model 10 boats to scale or build them full size - Instruction and step-by-step photos for building a traditional boat to scale - With measured drawings for 10 traditional boats, including the Light McKenzie River Boat and the Rogue River Driver This is the fascinating history of the river pioneers who designed, built, and used the early river dories and their successive incarnations. Author Roger Fletcher has collected stories, diaries, and photographs and recovered and recorded the lines and plans of these early boats before they were irretrievably lost. With... more
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Get the latest boatbuilding tips from this updated classic
Since its first publication in 1970, "Boatbuilding Manual" has become the standard reference in boatbuilding and boat design schools, in the offices of professional builders, and in the basement workshops of home builders. No other boatbuilding text has simultaneously served the disparate needs of professional and amateur audiences so successfully. Carl Cramer, the publisher of "WoodenBoat" and "Professional Boatbuilder" magazines, has fully updated this fifth edition with the latest in boatbuilding techniques and... more
Since its first publication in 1970, "Boatbuilding Manual" has become the standard reference in boatbuilding and boat design schools, in the offices of professional builders, and in the basement workshops of home builders. No other boatbuilding text has simultaneously served the disparate needs of professional and amateur audiences so successfully. Carl Cramer, the publisher of "WoodenBoat" and "Professional Boatbuilder" magazines, has fully updated this fifth edition with the latest in boatbuilding techniques and... more
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Combining and updating the renowned Rigger's Apprentice and Rigger's Locker, meets the changing face of modern materials and technology while remaining true to rigging's best traditional principles and practices. It's much more than a knot book, though the knots a sailor needs are all here. It's a book for sailors who want the satisfaction and hard-cash savings of stepping their own masts, inspecting and maintaining their own rigs, and turning their own tailsplices and wire eyesplices. It is for boatowners who want to replace an entire gang of rigging themselves--measuring,... more
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The vast majority of sailing yacht scenarios comprise a couple sailing the boat together, needing to carry out all maneuvers and activities themselves with no help from a back-up crew. Their boat handling, navigation, sail handling, anchoring, and mooring skills all have to be carried out both efficiently and effectively, preferably with a minimum of physical effort (to conserve energy).
But most sailing technique books assume a crew of three or four, all willing to lend a hand. This book is therefore a first, addressing the most common sailing scenarios that anyone cruising will... more
But most sailing technique books assume a crew of three or four, all willing to lend a hand. This book is therefore a first, addressing the most common sailing scenarios that anyone cruising will... more
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If you're wondering what Chris Stewart did before he and Ana moved to El Valero, their Spanish farm, here's one of the answers. He took to the sea, landing a job as skipper for the summer, sailing a Cornish Crabber around the Greek islands. It was his dream job - and there was just one tiny problem. He hadn't ever sailed before and had not the foggiest how to start.
In a series of madcap and hilarious adventures we follow Chris from a shaky start in Chichester harbour to his epic Odyssey to Spetses (a bucket would have been handy), and then on to the journey of a lifetime -... more
In a series of madcap and hilarious adventures we follow Chris from a shaky start in Chichester harbour to his epic Odyssey to Spetses (a bucket would have been handy), and then on to the journey of a lifetime -... more
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Celebrating more than eighty-five years of the prestigious yacht company, Hinckley Yachts traverses decades, oceans, and seas, capturing the joy, excitement, and serenity of the ultimate boating experience. A highly respected name in the yachting world, Hinckley sets the standard for high quality, performance, and lasting beauty. This book showcases the rich history, classic design, and legendary work of the handcrafted Hinckley yachts from 1928 to today. With historic and contemporary photographs and drawings from Hinckley's extensive archive-featuring the incredible craftsmanship and... more
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For this rousing, revisionist history, the former head of exhibitions at England's National Maritime Museum has combed original documents & records to produce a most authoritative & definitive account of piracy's Golden Age. As he explodes many accepted myths (i.e. walking the plank is pure fiction), Cordingly replaces them with a truth that is more complex & often bloodier. 16 pages of photos. Maps. less
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Canvas for Cruisers 2nd edition is a complete guide to sewing for boats. With 873 illustrations and 81 photos, it is the only canvas book you will need. Starting with information about fabrics, notions and the tools you will need to get going, a detailed description of sewing techniques follows - such as how to sew different types of seams, installation of zippers, piping, hems, patches and reinforcing, binding edges and making patterns. Not only are these details described and illustrated, the reason why is explained. These important details are not covered in the other books. The book... more
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There were moments when he prayed for death, moments when he cried with laughter, moments when he laid back and felt like the luckiest man on earth.
For Anthony, It was his first job as captain, bound for Cannes following a long and arduous route through the Belgian and French canals. It was a life choice he had made many years earlier, but could not have foreseen then the challenges it would bring.
A serendipitous decision had resulted in him experiencing the harsh life of a Thames Tugman, with its long hours and ever-present dangers. He had relished the...
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A guide to catching and cooking fish from the decks of a cruising boat. It gives you what you need to know about catching fish in tropical or middle-latitude seas - from a cruising boat underway or at anchor, from a dinghy, in the surf, and while diving reefs. less
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
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This guide helps you create the journey of a lifetime. The book covers important financial, medical, insurance, home, time-frame, and life-style factors that should be considered before starting. It details choosing and outfitting your boat for the journey, route planning, guidebooks, and charts to have onboard, types of locks, dealing with customs, negotiating open water passages, and more. Atlantic Publishing is a small, independent publishing company based in Ocala, Florida. Founded over twenty years ago in the company president s garage, Atlantic Publishing has grown to become a renowned... more
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Comprehensive and authoritative, this guide combines and updates two smaller, long-trusted regional books to provide seamless coverage of the entire California coast from just outside the Golden Gate Bridge to Mexico, with special attention given to the popular offshore islands between Point Conception and San Diego. Brian Fagan draws upon more than three decades of experience sailing those waters under all conditions to offer the definitive cruising guide for both sailors and powerboaters. less
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In World War II, aboard the aircraft carrier Saratoga, Captain Robert Beebe dreamed of one day retiring and cruising the world in a small boat. At that time world cruisers voyaged exclusively in sailboats. But sailboats are confined to narrow lanes of predominantly favorable winds - the same sea lanes sailors have used for centuries. Those famous tradewinds also turn most oceans into one-way streets, and miss some areas of the globe entirely. And sailing in the trades can be difficult and unpredictable, with dead calms or howling gales as likely as a steady 15-knot breeze. Beebe wanted to... more
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"Simply put, every local boater should have a dog-eared, well-thumbed copy [of this guide] as a permanent feature in the nautical library."--48� North
A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands has earned an outstanding reputation for the accuracy of its piloting instructions, the clarity of its writing, and the high quality of its information. This second edition includes color photos and nautical chart segments throughout, as well as:
Approaches and anchorages for hundreds of bays, harbors, and inlets--many with annotated charts... more
A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands has earned an outstanding reputation for the accuracy of its piloting instructions, the clarity of its writing, and the high quality of its information. This second edition includes color photos and nautical chart segments throughout, as well as:
Approaches and anchorages for hundreds of bays, harbors, and inlets--many with annotated charts... more
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Celebrate all that is quintessentially American about being on the water in the world's most beloved boat.
Since 1874, Chris-Craft has built boats of immense beauty that evoke an emotion and passion in all who see them. The varnished mahogany runabouts of yesteryear, and their modern sister-ships of today, all share the same design ethos, gorgeous lines, high quality, and style. The name alone conjures up images of classic wooden boats, waving flags, and unforgettable memories made on the waves.
Immortalized on the big screen in such movies as On Golden Pond... more
Since 1874, Chris-Craft has built boats of immense beauty that evoke an emotion and passion in all who see them. The varnished mahogany runabouts of yesteryear, and their modern sister-ships of today, all share the same design ethos, gorgeous lines, high quality, and style. The name alone conjures up images of classic wooden boats, waving flags, and unforgettable memories made on the waves.
Immortalized on the big screen in such movies as On Golden Pond... more
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I went from working 60 hours a week and getting nowhere to working three months a year and going everywhere. Now, I survive off the grid and close to nature, the way we were intended to live: free Throughout my 20s, my 30s and 40s, I worked various construction jobs, lived in the Caribbean aboard a sailboat, owned a restaurant, got married and divorced, and raised two kids. There were highs and lows, but one constant: I spent a lot of time working, working, and working some more - and still stressing about money. Finally, in 2013, I spent $12,500 to buy a sturdy 39-foot Ericson sailboat that... more
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"John Gardner's work has engaged and inspired more individuals connected with traditional small craft than will ever be counted."--WoodenBoat magazine
"Deserves an honored place on the library shelf."--National Fisherman
"Poses clear and impassioned means to go from the armchair to the open water via your own boat shop."--Sea History
This big, handsome legacy volume contains all the plans, measurements, and directions needed to build any of 47 beautiful small boats for oar, sail, or motor. less
"Deserves an honored place on the library shelf."--National Fisherman
"Poses clear and impassioned means to go from the armchair to the open water via your own boat shop."--Sea History
This big, handsome legacy volume contains all the plans, measurements, and directions needed to build any of 47 beautiful small boats for oar, sail, or motor. less
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Loran and GPS notwithstanding, there will always be a place for the sextant aboard any blue-water boat, if for no other reason than the thrill and mystery of finding one's position on earth by gazing at the heavens. Here is the indispensable reference that should accompany the instrument aboard. Cmdr. Bruce Bauer, a professional navigator and master mariner with the U.S. Merchant Marine, has distilled years of hands-on experience into an eminently readable guide to buying, adjusting, using, and repairing sextants.
The Sextant Handbook is dedicated to the premise that... more
The Sextant Handbook is dedicated to the premise that... more
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
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Commander Suzanne Giesemann draws on her twenty years in the Navy as a commanding officer and leadership instructor to write this empowering guide for women boaters. Power or sail, if you're just going along for the ride, you are limiting your enjoyment on the water. Suzanne encourages women to take a bigger role on board by addressing common fears and self-limiting attitudes. She shares the nautical knowledge necessary to become a safer, more competant, and more confident boater.Women, read this book, then get your partner to read it too.-Lin Pardeytent...a wonderfully insightful book on how... more
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This will not be a book that will attempt to simply detail courses where major championships have been played, but courses whose architecture, noteworthy holes, location, and ambiance make them must play venues for passionate golfers. It includes Royal County Down (Ireland), Pebble Beach (California), Bandon Dunes (Oregon), Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand), and the National Golf Links of America (New York). Each chapter will be linked to a golf guru or celebrity personality; the featured course will be presented as the individual's recommendation for one of their favorite courses in the world.... more
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Is this an entertaining book? "The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge" is either the most useful boating book ever designed to entertain or the most entertaining book ever designed to be useful. In its alphabetical organization that juxtaposes wildly disparate entries, you can read about the derivation of fi gureheads where you turned to for recommended thicknesses of fiberglass hulls. In between the whimsy, however, is the essence of centuries of seafaring experience distilled into a concise reference for sailors and powerboaters. There may be no substitute for a lifetime of experience,... more
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* 112 routes in rivers, streams, lakes, and bays in the Northwest
* For paddlers of all skill levels
* Maps, safety tips, equipment requirements, and a route comparison chart
This uniquely comprehensive Washington paddling guidebook combines the best of three previous books--Paddle Routes of the Inland Northwest, Paddle Routes of Western Washington, and Washington Whitewater--into one volume. Detailed locator maps and instructions on safety are included, as well as appendices on equipment, map sources, and a useful route comparison chart for selecting... more
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For new boating enthusiasts--even if they've been at it awhile--there are scores of burning questions. If one boat has a round bottom and another's is veed, what difference does it make in the way they perform? What are the advantages of a cutter rig over a sloop? Why does one sailor swear by a full keel, while others won't have anything but a fin keel? Why does one powerboat have more flare in its topsides than another? And what is flare? Why do some hull shapes look "right"? How big an engine and propeller will it take to move that powerboat? What elements make a boat safe, or... more
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184 countries. Endless possibilities for the cruising vacation of your dreams
"What Jimmy Cornell doesn't know about cruising isn't worth knowing."
--Yachting World
World Cruising Destinations is the only nautical tourist guide to the world, the ultimate aid for planning an ocean voyage or a charter vacation. Covering the globe from the tropics to high latitudes, this guide gives essential details of climate, ports, facilities, highlights, and travel formalities (visas, entrance requirements, etc.) of destinations in 184 countries. If you are... more
"What Jimmy Cornell doesn't know about cruising isn't worth knowing."
--Yachting World
World Cruising Destinations is the only nautical tourist guide to the world, the ultimate aid for planning an ocean voyage or a charter vacation. Covering the globe from the tropics to high latitudes, this guide gives essential details of climate, ports, facilities, highlights, and travel formalities (visas, entrance requirements, etc.) of destinations in 184 countries. If you are... more
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Featuring: Hiking, Camping, Geology, History & Archaeology!
Plus for this 6th Edition: History of Cass Hite, Hite, White Canyon Town, Bert Loper and the Long Walk of the Navajos! less
Plus for this 6th Edition: History of Cass Hite, Hite, White Canyon Town, Bert Loper and the Long Walk of the Navajos! less
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Instant answers for your boat handling, navigation, and seamanship questions
The Instant Handbook uses a dynamic new quick-reference format to cover the critical aspects of piloting, seamanship, and boat handling under sail or power more accessibly and effectively than has ever been done before. It puts at your fingertips all the information you need about:
Boat Handling Under Power--Bob Sweet
Sail Trim and Rig Tuning--Bill Gladstone
Using Nautical Charts--Bob Sweet
Using GPS--Bob Sweet
Using VHF and SSB Radios--Bob Sweet
Rules of... more
The Instant Handbook uses a dynamic new quick-reference format to cover the critical aspects of piloting, seamanship, and boat handling under sail or power more accessibly and effectively than has ever been done before. It puts at your fingertips all the information you need about:
Boat Handling Under Power--Bob Sweet
Sail Trim and Rig Tuning--Bill Gladstone
Using Nautical Charts--Bob Sweet
Using GPS--Bob Sweet
Using VHF and SSB Radios--Bob Sweet
Rules of... more
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Mankind has plied the waves of the ocean since the dawn of recorded time, seeking sustenance, riches and adventure. This book maps out some of the world's great sailing venues, as shared by champion racers and celebrated adventurers. The venues range from ports like Newport to the passage around Cape Horn to idyllic island retreats like Mopelia. less
Don't have time to read the top Boating books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.