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robw_fl · 04-10-2009, 04:46

Chief, I think song of the sirens is one of the best books I've ever read...sailing related or otherwise. Gann has a grasp of the language and such a great, understated storytelling style intertwined with some very interesting observations that he's hard to match. If you like it, his book Fate is the Hunter is a comparable book about his life as a pilot.

Great stuff....

I also just started reading a book (Dust Jacket is gone and I can't even tell you the name right now...sorry!) about a guy that is doing the Great Loop in a 17' rowboat. Barely in to it, but it's good so far. Quite an undertaking, to say the least! If anyone wants the name, shoot me a PM and I'll get it back to ya.

Cheers,

Rob

S/V Antares · 04-10-2009, 07:17

"Cod", by Mark Kurlansky. Great read. So was his book "Salt". Easily the two best nonfiction books I have read in a very long time.

Beverly Stayart · 04-10-2009, 10:00

Thanks for the recommendations of these great reads, particularly the author Ernest K. Gann.

virginia boy · 04-10-2009, 10:18

Ironic that I would finish reading "The voyagers handbook" by Beth Leonard and within 5 minutes find this post on Cruisers Forum!
Gettin ready to read "Storm Tactics".

Chief Engineer · 09-10-2009, 17:48

If they are in Portugese, French, German, Spanish, Italian you get triple read value score.

I was on a yacht that had a German Oven, a French Washer and Dryer and a veritable United Nations of other accoutrements.

Not one service manual was in English.

Vashen Machinen Flargen Gargen Nein Zoapen Floppen Ein Sheisen Lederhosen Gefloten

or

Le foteur ala ode du juou parfait Marselaaise bon vivant oui oui.

Thank God fer pixtures

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therapy

Does a service manual count?

SkiprJohn · 09-10-2009, 20:07

Survive the Savage Sea, Dougal Robertson.
regards

Ishmael · 09-10-2009, 20:34

Just started Sailing in a Spoonful of Water by Joe Coomer.

virginia boy · 10-10-2009, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

Not one service manual was in English.

Vashen Machinen Flargen Gargen Nein Zoapen Floppen Ein Sheisen Lederhosen Gefloten

or

Le foteur ala ode du juou parfait Marselaaise bon vivant oui oui.

Etwas ist beschissen, aber es ist nicht die Lederhosen

Blue Stocking · 10-10-2009, 14:11

Chief,

Have you read "The Grey Seas Under", by Farley Mowatt. It is the story of the Foundation Franklin, the Foundation Tug Line's first vessel, Stationed here in Bermuda for part of WW2. There is an incident in the North Atlantic winter when the steering chains jumped the quadrant, and men had to go under the duckboards to lever the chains back in place, while being sluiced down with buckets of water to stop them from freezing. One of the men was the father of a Bermudian friend of mine who I used to take sailing in his declining years, now sadly crossed the bar. Iron men on Iron ships.

Chief Engineer · 10-10-2009, 15:53

and it is one of my unofficial mottos for my business

"No cure no pay"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Chief,

Have you read "The Grey Seas Under", by Farley Mowatt. It is the story of the Foundation Franklin, the Foundation Tug Line's first vessel, Stationed here in Bermuda for part of WW2. There is an incident in the North Atlantic winter when the steering chains jumped the quadrant, and men had to go under the duckboards to lever the chains back in place, while being sluiced down with buckets of water to stop them from freezing. One of the men was the father of a Bermudian friend of mine who I used to take sailing in his declining years, now sadly crossed the bar. Iron men on Iron ships.

David_Old_Jersey · 10-10-2009, 16:34

The Odyssey by Homer - it's about a bloke travelling around Greece in a boat (or 2)...........it even has goats in it

I wish Jack Reacher (Lee Child) would buy a boat

Dave the Canuck · 10-10-2009, 18:04

"Godforsaken Sea" by Derek Lundy. Those Vendee Globe guys/girls are a special breed. No goats, though.

s/v 'Faith' · 10-10-2009, 18:09

+1 Excellent read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalebD

"The Boy, Me, and the Cat" by Henry Plummer.
If you boys like guns and shootin' stuff this is the book for you.
They take their gaff rigged 20 odd foot sailboat from Falmouth, MA to Florida and shoot all the game they want around the 1920's along the coast....

Also;

Sailing Small: Inspiration and Instruction for the Pocket Cruiser
I highly recommend;

Sailing Small: Inspiration and Instruction for the Pocket Cruiser(Paperback)
by Stan Grayson

review from Amazon.com;

Quote:

Nice stories about small boats
This books owners tell about their experiences with 8 small boats. If you think you must buy a big boat, read this and you'll see it's not so. Just depends on your application and how squished you're willing to be on a longer passage. The different writing styles and perspectives of the various owners is a pleasure.
Published on June 12, 2005 by ---- Neil H.

I got new ideas several times reading through the stories.

Good stuff.