Essential books for the cruiser's library?

gobi1570 · 10-02-2008, 23:25

So, here's the list of books I bought for my winter-reading list, and to have as references on-board for when I finally cast-off, but does anyone have any other recommendations of books you would consider essential reading/references?

"The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing" David Seidman

"How to Read a Nautical Chart : A Complete Guide to the Symbols, Abbreviations, and Data Displayed on Nautical Charts" Nigel Calder

"The Practical Encyclopedia of Boating" John Vigor

"The Annapolis Book of Seamanship: Third Edition, Completely Revised, Expanded and Updated" John Rousmaniere

"Navigation Rules" U. S. Coast Guard

"World Cruising Routes" Jimmy Cornell

"How to Sail Around the World : Advice and Ideas for Voyaging Under Sail" Hal Roth

Thanks!
Brian

**David M** · 10-02-2008, 23:48

"Bowditch", The American Practical Navigator. It is THE navigators Bible. It has more information about navigation, oceanography, weather and other related things than any one human brain could possibly ever absorb. Its almost the size of a phone book but amazingly inexpensive for what you get at 33 bucks. Its hundreds of hours of interesting stuff just browsing through it. There is more to life than GPS.

Bowditch's American Practical Navigator - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Merchant Marine Officers Handbook..although not a necessity, is densely populated with all kinds of knowledge...some very relevant to cruisers and some not so relevant.

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

The Nautical Almanac. It not just for celestial navigation.

The Coast Pilot for your area of operation. Its almost mandatory to have this book on board it is so filled with good safety and other information.

There are a slew of 12 volt electronics books out there...pick up one or two of them.

Playboy....If your a solo male cruiser.

Cruising World.....for people like me to drool over who wish they were out there....better than Playboy.

**David M** · 11-02-2008, 00:20

One more: The Ships Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea. Its very relevant to yachts as well.

gobi1570 · 11-02-2008, 00:49

Thank you VERY much David...I actually downloaded every single NOAA vector and raster chart, as well as all of the pilots on their site. I had a whole lot of time on my hands that night, hehe.
Though, I think I'll pass on the Playboys. I hear there are a number of countries that will toss you in the can if they find that on-board...though I do have a nice electronic collection on an encrypted drive...hehe.

waterworldly · 11-02-2008, 04:20

any Beth Leonard books

**GordMay** · 11-02-2008, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by David M

"Bowditch", The American Practical Navigator. It is THE navigators Bible. It has more information about navigation, oceanography, weather and other related things than any one human brain could possibly ever absorb...
Chart Number 1...actually a book, so it qualifies. Contains all the chart symbols and other related stuff...

“Bowditch” is available (free) online at:
Maritime Safety Information
or
Bowditch Online

Chart #1 is available (free) online at:
Maritime Safety Information

The Ships Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea
http://www.uscg.mil/hr/g-wk/wkh/smc/...003edition.pdf

NGA Publications menue:
Maritime Safety Information

Pelagic · 11-02-2008, 07:26

A bit obvious but travel books about your destination if going foreign (Lonely Planet etc...

caribnsol · 11-02-2008, 11:04

Nigel Calders "cruising handbook" and "boat owners mechanical and electrical handbook" (I like his books). Also I have all the shop manual for my diesel, a couple of weather and oceanography books.

**David M** · 11-02-2008, 11:19

Certainly download the .PDF files for the sake of convenience, but I would also buy hard copies of all these books. Books don't have hard drives that crash or power supplies that go bad. You can also kick back in the v-berth with a book.

imagine2frolic · 11-02-2008, 12:02

I myself read anything, and everything about vessels being lost, turtled, or stranded. The reason being that these people survived, and they have actually found remedies to serious problems.

Also anything about people cruising. Along the way they have repaired, or survived some calamity. The names are endless in this category.

**David M** · 11-02-2008, 12:04

It is also important to read about those who died and what they could have done to prevent such tragedy. I believe there is some truth that when bad things happen it is the third thing that does you in. It always seems to be a succession of bad events that does people in. Its usually not one bad thing...the third thing usually breaks the camels back. I know this sounds a little superstitious but this is what I have seen when reading about maritime accidents.

rtbates · 11-02-2008, 12:19

I can't believe that no one has mentioned this Brian Toss book, Amazon.com: The Complete Rigger's Apprentice: Tools and Techniques for Modern and Traditional Rigging: Books: Brion Toss

While you're at it , get his splicing wands. You'll never look at a splicing fid the same...

ess105 · 11-02-2008, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by David M

It is also important to read about those who died and what they could have done to prevent such tragedy. I believe there is some truth that when bad things happen it is the third thing that does you in. It always seems to be a succession of bad events that does people in. Its usually not one bad thing...the third thing usually breaks the camels back. I know this sounds a little superstitious but this is what I have seen when reading about maritime accidents.

Learning from past successes and failures is essential. For that purpose I would recommend THE DRAG DEVICE DATABASE (DDDB) by Victor Shane

gobi1570 · 11-02-2008, 12:41

Wow, looks like I'm going to have a lot of reading to do.

svjobeth · 11-02-2008, 13:48

I would say to add to the list:

Other "general purpose" seamanship texts:
"Chapman's Seamanship: Piloting and Small Boat Handling"
"The Annapolis Book of Seamanship", John Rousmaniere

Others I like:
"How Boat Things Work," Charlie Wing
"Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical Handbook," Charlie Wing
"The 12-Volt Doctor's Practical Handbook," Edgar J. Beyn

I second the nod to Nigel Calder's books already listed and add his "Marine Diesel Engines" to the list, as well as the shop service manual - not the "owner's manual" - for your engine.

If you're really into the technical/design side of things, "Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts" , Edited by John Rousmaniere, "Seaworthiness: The Forgotten Factor," by C.A. Marchaj, and "The Elements of Boat Strength," Dave Gerr, simply can't be beat.

I would strongly encourage you to (and everyone else!) to read "Seaworthy: Essential Lessons from Boat/U.S.'s 20-Year Case File of Things Gone Wrong." This is by Robert A. Adriance, a person whom I've known and worked with for nearly all of those twenty years.

Last, I would agree on finding some good, first hand cruising yarns. For me, the modern sailing/cruising authors (someone mentioned Beth Leonard) are significantly lacking when compared to those that went before (Hiscock's, Roth's, Smeetons, Johnson's, et.al.) and those that are still going. (Only my personal and humble opinion!) What they have to say is, however, still important.

A good source for some honest and roughly written tales is through the Seven Seas Cruising Association (Welcome to the Seven Seas Cruising Association) monthly publication called The Bulletin.

Good reading!

10-02-2008, 23:48	#2
David M Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Posts: 2,777	"Bowditch", The American Practical Navigator. It is THE navigators Bible. It has more information about navigation, oceanography, weather and other related things than any one human brain could possibly ever absorb. Its almost the size of a phone book but amazingly inexpensive for what you get at 33 bucks. Its hundreds of hours of interesting stuff just browsing through it. There is more to life than GPS. Bowditch's American Practical Navigator - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Merchant Marine Officers Handbook..although not a necessity, is densely populated with all kinds of knowledge...some very relevant to cruisers and some not so relevant. Chart Number 1...actually a book, so it qualifies. Contains all the chart symbols and other related stuff. The Nautical Almanac. It not just for celestial navigation. The Coast Pilot for your area of operation. Its almost mandatory to have this book on board it is so filled with good safety and other information. There are a slew of 12 volt electronics books out there...pick up one or two of them. Playboy....If your a solo male cruiser. Cruising World.....for people like me to drool over who wish they were out there....better than Playboy. __________________ David "Marge! Look at all the great stuff I found at the Marina. It was just sitting in some guys boat!" -Homer Simpson Last edited by David M; 11-02-2008 at 00:15.

11-02-2008, 00:20	#3
David M Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Posts: 2,777	One more: The Ships Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea. Its very relevant to yachts as well. __________________ David "Marge! Look at all the great stuff I found at the Marina. It was just sitting in some guys boat!" -Homer Simpson

11-02-2008, 00:49	#4
gobi1570 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 55	Thank you VERY much David...I actually downloaded every single NOAA vector and raster chart, as well as all of the pilots on their site. I had a whole lot of time on my hands that night, hehe. Though, I think I'll pass on the Playboys. I hear there are a number of countries that will toss you in the can if they find that on-board...though I do have a nice electronic collection on an encrypted drive...hehe. Last edited by gobi1570; 11-02-2008 at 01:15. Reason: for the heck of it

11-02-2008, 11:19	#9
David M Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Posts: 2,777	Certainly download the .PDF files for the sake of convenience, but I would also buy hard copies of all these books. Books don't have hard drives that crash or power supplies that go bad. You can also kick back in the v-berth with a book. __________________ David "Marge! Look at all the great stuff I found at the Marina. It was just sitting in some guys boat!" -Homer Simpson Last edited by David M; 11-02-2008 at 11:38.

11-02-2008, 12:04	#11
David M Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Posts: 2,777	It is also important to read about those who died and what they could have done to prevent such tragedy. I believe there is some truth that when bad things happen it is the third thing that does you in. It always seems to be a succession of bad events that does people in. Its usually not one bad thing...the third thing usually breaks the camels back. I know this sounds a little superstitious but this is what I have seen when reading about maritime accidents. __________________ David "Marge! Look at all the great stuff I found at the Marina. It was just sitting in some guys boat!" -Homer Simpson Last edited by David M; 11-02-2008 at 12:10.

10-02-2008, 23:25	#1
gobi1570 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 55	Essential books for the cruiser's library? So, here's the list of books I bought for my winter-reading list, and to have as references on-board for when I finally cast-off, but does anyone have any other recommendations of books you would consider essential reading/references? "The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing" David Seidman "How to Read a Nautical Chart : A Complete Guide to the Symbols, Abbreviations, and Data Displayed on Nautical Charts" Nigel Calder "The Practical Encyclopedia of Boating" John Vigor "The Annapolis Book of Seamanship: Third Edition, Completely Revised, Expanded and Updated" John Rousmaniere "Navigation Rules" U. S. Coast Guard "World Cruising Routes" Jimmy Cornell "How to Sail Around the World : Advice and Ideas for Voyaging Under Sail" Hal Roth Thanks! Brian

11-02-2008, 04:20	#5
waterworldly Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Miami Florida Boat: 52' Irwin Center Cockpit Posts: 259	any Beth Leonard books

11-02-2008, 07:26	#7
Pelagic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Boat: Van Helleman Schooner 65ft StarGazer Posts: 1,090	A bit obvious but travel books about your destination if going foreign (Lonely Planet etc...

11-02-2008, 11:04	#8
caribnsol Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Portsmouth Va Boat: 40' Solaris Catamaran "Nina" Posts: 132	Nigel Calders "cruising handbook" and "boat owners mechanical and electrical handbook" (I like his books). Also I have all the shop manual for my diesel, a couple of weather and oceanography books.

11-02-2008, 12:02	#10
imagine2frolic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: N.E. Florida Boat: Simpson, Catamaran, 46ft. IMAGINE Posts: 1,954 Images: 112	I myself read anything, and everything about vessels being lost, turtled, or stranded. The reason being that these people survived, and they have actually found remedies to serious problems. Also anything about people cruising. Along the way they have repaired, or survived some calamity. The names are endless in this category.

11-02-2008, 12:19	#12
rtbates Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 482	Brian Toss I can't believe that no one has mentioned this Brian Toss book, Amazon.com: The Complete Rigger's Apprentice: Tools and Techniques for Modern and Traditional Rigging: Books: Brion Toss While you're at it , get his splicing wands. You'll never look at a splicing fid the same... __________________ Randy Cape Dory 25D Seraph

11-02-2008, 12:41	#14
gobi1570 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 55	Wow, looks like I'm going to have a lot of reading to do.

11-02-2008, 13:48	#15
svjobeth Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Savannah, Ga. Boat: 1984 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 34 - "Jo Beth" Posts: 8	I would say to add to the list: Other "general purpose" seamanship texts: "Chapman's Seamanship: Piloting and Small Boat Handling" "The Annapolis Book of Seamanship", John Rousmaniere Others I like: "How Boat Things Work," Charlie Wing "Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical Handbook," Charlie Wing "The 12-Volt Doctor's Practical Handbook," Edgar J. Beyn I second the nod to Nigel Calder's books already listed and add his "Marine Diesel Engines" to the list, as well as the shop service manual - not the "owner's manual" - for your engine. If you're really into the technical/design side of things, "Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts" , Edited by John Rousmaniere, "Seaworthiness: The Forgotten Factor," by C.A. Marchaj, and "The Elements of Boat Strength," Dave Gerr, simply can't be beat. I would strongly encourage you to (and everyone else!) to read "Seaworthy: Essential Lessons from Boat/U.S.'s 20-Year Case File of Things Gone Wrong." This is by Robert A. Adriance, a person whom I've known and worked with for nearly all of those twenty years. Last, I would agree on finding some good, first hand cruising yarns. For me, the modern sailing/cruising authors (someone mentioned Beth Leonard) are significantly lacking when compared to those that went before (Hiscock's, Roth's, Smeetons, Johnson's, et.al.) and those that are still going. (Only my personal and humble opinion!) What they have to say is, however, still important. A good source for some honest and roughly written tales is through the Seven Seas Cruising Association (Welcome to the Seven Seas Cruising Association) monthly publication called The Bulletin. Good reading! __________________ Bill & Lisa Ballard Savannah, Georgia S/V Jo Beth 1984 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 34

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