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noimjosh · 22-09-2013, 23:40

I've had my account for a little while (couple months) and decided to finally introduce myself. I don't have a boat yet, but my wife and I have a plan to get there and start cruising with the family. Just thought I'd say hi to everyone here and ask if there are any books I should definitely have during the planning phase? Thanks!

Teknav · 23-09-2013, 03:58

Welcome aboard! There are two books on fundamentals of sailing for would be sailors, and are published by ASA. One book was published in 2010 and the other was published in 2012; look them up and purchase them on Amazon.com ...each cost about $25 USD, and is about 150 pages long. These books are used in the hands-on sailing classes given by ASA (American Sailing Association) affiliated schools. Good luck!

Mauritz

captain58sailin · 23-09-2013, 04:06

Welcome to the forum. Chapman's is a good book to start with.

Teknav · 23-09-2013, 04:12

Hiya Captain58! Chapman is a great seamanship REFERENCE text book to have. It will overwhelm a beginner sailor. ASA textbooks are bite size/easy to grasp and are very well illustrated.

Mauritz

Ziggy · 23-09-2013, 05:02

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship by John Rousmaniere would be a good start. The 4th edition is expected in January, but the 3rd is available now.

barnakiel · 23-09-2013, 05:26

Hi!

I think it is good to start reading both general sailing literature and some more technical / instruction material.

Books by the Pardeys and by the Dashews offer a nice mixture of cruising lifestyle description and know-how. You will easily G oogle them out for you.

It is all about the dream, the vision so whatever lights your fire is good for you.

Meanwhile do as much sailing as you can - books are fine to read and educative, but sailing you learn on the water, sailing.

Cheers,
b.

noimjosh · 25-09-2013, 00:01

Thanks for the book recommendations, we're definitely going to be sailing as much as we can while we begin planning

bahamarich · 25-09-2013, 02:14

Nigel Calder's 'Cruising Handbook' is a good start and when you are ready to head off his 'Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual' is a must to have on board.

Lin and Larry Pardy also have written many books on cruising that give a great narrative on cruising, the boats and the lifestyle.

Reading is a great part of cruising, and in the years leading up to heading off you will devour books. You are at a great time of energy in a cruiser's learning curve, enjoy it. Rich

SkiprJohn · 04-10-2013, 12:05

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Lots of books so a visit to the public library is a good idea. Thumb through a few and see if you might want to purchase them for your own library.
kind regards,

svseachange · 04-10-2013, 18:05

All of Fatty Goodlander's books.

ozskipper · 04-10-2013, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by noimjosh

I've had my account for a little while (couple months) and decided to finally introduce myself. I don't have a boat yet, but my wife and I have a plan to get there and start cruising with the family. Just thought I'd say hi to everyone here and ask if there are any books I should definitely have during the planning phase? Thanks!

Welcome along.

Heavy weather sailing Alard Coles- Peter Bruce. Must Have!
The Dummies books are great for basics.
Occupation Circumnavigator - Larrs Hassler Great for cost breakdowns, fuel usage, maintenance costs, food usage etc.
12 volt DRs handbook. Almost everything you need to know about the subject

Enjoy