Essential books for the cruiser's library?

[little boat]

i was given a copy of this book,
http://www.amazon.com/Cruising-Under.../dp/0192175998
by Eric Hiscock with my first dinghy. I still consult it often.

[jackdale]

Liza and Ian Copeland sepnt 6 years on a circumnavigation on a 38 foot Beneteau. The four books that resulted are great, especially for those sailing with children.

Paul Howard and Fiona McCall and two kids also did a six year navigation - on a 28 foot junk rigged steel boat.

The lives of Beryl and Miles Smeeton, two early cruisers, is chronicled in High Endeavours.

Jack

[Québec 1]

Originally Posted by David M

"
Chart Number 1...actually a book, so it qualifies. Contains all the chart symbols and other related stuff.

.

You can download it for free here:

Office of Coast Survey - Chart No. 1

Q1

Woops belay that matee ...already been piped

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Québec 1

You can download it for free here:

Office of Coast Survey - Chart No. 1

Q1

Woops belay that matee ...already been piped

The Canadian version,eh! Both pdf and html.

Jack

[rexposeidon]

Here's my list to add;

Celestial Navigation, A step by step guide procedure for the complete idiot.

The Yachtsman's Navigation Manual

The Circumnavigators' Handbook

The Well-Managed Sailboat

Singlehanding, A sailor's guide (even if you are going ith someone else)

Any book written by someon who has already done it. Extra advice is never without merit.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, because it makes me laugh and has the words DONT PANIC! on the cover in big red letters.

And of course, the Good Book (of your faith). 'Nuff Said.

[Québec 1]

Originally Posted by jackdale

The Canadian version,eh! Both pdf and html.

Jack

Thank you Jack . I have been looking for it , but you found it eh!
Next time your in Québec City look me up ....I'll give you the Mighty St Lawrence nautical tour!
Bertrand

[Tempest245]

Two books in my library that I haven't seen mentioned here yet are:

The "Offshore Cruising Companion" John Neal Good discussions, checklists, links to websites etc.

"Heavy Weather Sailing" K. Adlard Coles ....This is not light reading, but good discussion about weather, storm tactics and vessel construction.
Gets very technical.

[dcstrng]

I’m rereading Moitessier’s books and am again struck by the common sense of this respected (if not renowned in our techno-gizmo era… ) traveler… In his The Sea Vagabond's World (the last publication before his passing) Moitessier explores many of the facets which he feels are important for a long-distance voyager – so far I’ve (again) found tons of discussions on making reefing gear reliable, rigging durable, ground tackle trustworthy, ensuring good ventilation, preventing and controlling corrosion, navigation and buckets of other things…

[drh1965]

I like this one as well:

"Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual"

[Trikona]

Originally Posted by waterworldly

any Beth Leonard books

I agree! I am reading "The Voyagers Handbook", and while it may appear intimidating at first (read: text book), it is actually very straight forward and easy to read, i am devouring it. It gives so many insights and excellent ideas for outfitting a bluewater boat for circumnavigation.

[Sailor Sure]

Four books in our offshore library are

Linda and Steve Dashew's

Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia
Practical Seamandsip
Surviving the Storm
and
Mariner's Weather Handbook

Enjoy the reading! Very practical knowledge, and my husband has highlighted from cover to cover on all four!

[imagine2frolic]

Reading Moitessier is like reading poetry. He truly loved the sea more than anything else. No matter what mood Mother Nature served him.

[Talbot]

The Ships Captains Medical Guide Download here
Jack Coote - Total Loss
Jimmy Cornell - World Cruising Handbook
- World Cruising Routes
Adlard Coles - Heavy Weather Sailing
Bill & Laurel Cooper - Sell Up and Sail

[Cheechako]

The "book" one I used a lot was Nigel Calder's "boat owners mechanical and electrical handbook" The rest were great reading though. The most important are probably good cruising guides to where you are going. Also high on the list would be a book on weather, there is a small very good one but I cant remember what it's called. Leave all those fun-to-dream books about how to outfit your boat home as they take a lot of space... and your past that phase into the "how to fix it" phase!

[Louis Riel]

Modern Ocean Cruising , by Jimmy Cornel.
The Long Way by Bernard Moitessier.