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oldragbaggers · 29-01-2016, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Anything by Hal Roth

Hal Roth was the impetus for our sailing journey. Back in 1981, having never stepped foot on a sailboat in my life, I bought his book After 50,000 Miles. After reading it I looked at my husband and said, "this is what I want to do." Within a year we had taken sailing lessons, less than a year after that bought our first sailboat. We have never looked back, and our love of sailing has not faded in all these years. We have had to wait a long time to see the dream come to full fruition. We hope to leave for full time cruising this fall, but we weren't sitting around waiting. We have enjoyed sailing and living aboard for almost 35 years and it is without a doubt the best thing we have ever done. Thanks Hal and R.I.P.!!

hellosailor · 29-01-2016, 09:56

There are some threads here and elsewhere listing a lot of the classic books. If you've got a library nearby, ask the reference desk about "interlibrary loans" and they'll be glad to help you find books on sailing, and bring them in, free, from other libraries that have them. Can save a lot that way.

barnakiel · 29-01-2016, 09:59

I will not recommend reading books at all. Just go and do it. Sail more read less.

Do you want to learn sailing or about sailing?

b.

Chuck Hawley · 29-01-2016, 11:04

For more of a textbook to sailing and seamanship"

The Art of Seamanship, by Ralph Naranjo

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship, by John Rousmaniere

For a great story: Gypsy Moth IV Circles the Globe, by Sir Francis Chichester

Chuck Hawley
(Who is 4 years younger than Chichester when he circumnavigated at age 65)

Caribbeachbum · 29-01-2016, 11:15

The best book depends greatly on your interests. If you think, even a little, that you might want to spend a few years cruising the world, then there is only one first book to buy, The Voyager's Handbook. It's here: Robot Check

Three years after buying it, I still pick it up and flip through it, and find something I missed last time. One day I will find Beth Leonard and tell her "thank you" in person for having written it.

Scout 30 · 29-01-2016, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I will not recommend reading books at all. Just go and do it. Sail more read less.

Do you want to learn sailing or about sailing?

b.

I couldn't agree less. Reading on the boat is one of my favorite things in life. Life on land is full of distractions.

DDabs · 29-01-2016, 11:32

Shipkiller

Kerry1 · 29-01-2016, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland81

Hi

I've always loved the sea and will hopefully learn to sail this year.

i've read a little over the years but I'd really like to read a good, informative book about the sea, tradewinds, sailing etc

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Many thanks!

Hi,

I share your enthusiasm and have done ever since my brother and I took to the sea in two bathtubs strapped together. (Well ok it was only the local estuary but you get my drift. There are numerous classics but for my money anything by Eric and Susan Hiscock will be very informative and interesting, but some information will be somewhat dated.

"The account of the Hiscocks' first world circumnavigation (1952–1955) was told in Around the World in Wanderer III. Wanderer III, a 30-foot (9.1 m) Laurent Giles sloop,[2] carried the couple around the world via the tropics at a time when few people were cruising the world for pleasure on small sailboats. The voyage and book accorded them a degree of popular celebrity, and was the first of their three circumnavigations. It was also the start of a series of books detailing their later voyages on their sailboats Wanderer III, Wanderer IV and Wanderer V. The trips in Wanderer III, together with previous voyages, provided much technical information for his technical how-to volumes on small boat sailing and ocean cruising, Cruising Under Sail and Voyaging Under Sail (later combined and published as Cruising Under Sail)."
Wikipedia

The voyage of Joshua Slocum, another fascinating classic, but maybe less on the practical and more on the sense of adventure.

Bon voyage!

velella15 · 29-01-2016, 15:11

How can I not recommend "Beneath the Surface; tales of a sailing marine biologist" by Michael King - available online from BookDepository, Amazon etc.
Full of illustrations of marine life.

Johnniegee · 29-01-2016, 16:28

"Shrimpy"

http://www.bluemoment.com/pdf/shrimpy.pdf

For free.... 400 pound boat around the world and found a lady to join him

Kerry1 · 29-01-2016, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodguy

I love the three volumes on cruising written by the Hiscocks. Lots of practical advice and well written. I wish I could have met them in person.

Does meeting his nephew count?

I agree, the Hiscocks have to be something of the pioneering authority on this subject, and while some things may be somewhat dated, plenty of other material not. Didn't know Eric died in our town Whangarei, NZ until recently. A few years ago I spotted one of his boats Wanderer II or one of them anyhow down at the local town basin for sale I think. It may have been the one built by local builder Orams Marine.

TeddyDiver · 29-01-2016, 20:32

John Vigor 'The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat' merely about boats and preparing for offshore voyage.

Inland81 · 05-02-2016, 17:13

Many thanks for all replies. I've ordered a few books.

I should have said a bit more. Sure, I can't even sail yet but I like to travel and see new places. If I take to sailing I'd like to go on gradually longer and longer trips - and who knows where it might lead.

Thanks again