Howdy Chris,
I see this is your first post in CF.
Here's a link to many threads in the
archives that discuss "best books" of all types for sailors and cruising.
https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...oks&gsc.page=1
Here is a link to several FREE PDF books by Steve Dashew that I highly recommend. They are VERY large books (some are 800 pages) and full of very good information written by a very experienced sailor. I highly recommend these for hours of serious study.
SetSail FPB » Free Books
I downloaded all three to my
iPad for future reading.
From my POV, the "Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia" (in the link above) by Dashew is a
classic worth reading. I read it cover to cover back in 1990 and enjoyed it immensely. Lots of wisdom in those pages!
Also, a CF
member "S/V Alchemy" has a blog where he has reviewed many sailing books. Here is a link to his blog:
Volumes of Salt
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I think everyone could learn something from reading "Chapman's Piloting" which is a
classic book (almost an encyclopedia) about sailing and
boating. It has been reprinted and updated many times (over 64 editions). It is full of illustrations and a good book that provides a wealth of information.
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Here is some info about one of my recent favorite books to read about
Single Handed Sailing.
Singlehanded Sailing: Thoughts, Tips, Techniques & Tactics by Andrew Evans.
Singlehanded Sailing: Thoughts, Tips, Techniques & Tactics by Andrew Evans.
Andrew Evans is a
member of CF and posts under the forum name Foolish Muse. His book is very good reading, full of insights into singlehanded sailing, including his own experience (800 times, 3500 hours singlehanded) and the experiences of other singlehanded sailors.
It is well worth the small
price ($14 Paperback edition). It is available on amazon in two editions, paperback or kindle.
Get the latest print (or Kindle) edition (Sept 2014) as it contains new additional content over the earlier PDF version that was distributed for free online. The 2014 edition is also available as a kindle version ($13).
Andrew added 40,000 new words to the latest Amazon print (or Kindle) edition including:
The new edition has several new chapters and major additions, including:
Extended interviews with Craig Horsfield (Mini 6.50), Joe Harris (Class 40) and Ryan Breymaier (IMOCA 60) about sailing their performance racers.
A whole chapter on keels, keeping the
boat upright and reducing leeway, including
water ballast, canting keels,
dagger boards and the DSS wing.
A big section and lessons from Jessica Watson’s
collision with a freighter, including the report from The Australian Transportation
Safety Bureau.
A long interview and photos from Ruben Gabriel on every singlehander’s dream; what it’s like to break a
mast and
repair it – half way to
Hawaii.
Dealing with
hull punctures in real life (not the
movie version).
A long talk with 3-time circumnavigator Jeanne Socrates on
living aboard.
Discussions with singlehanders about their real life
medical emergencies.
Dan Alonso’s story of rescuing another singlehander in horrible
weather.
The good way and not-so-good way to hit a rock, from my own experience.
While you may still be able to find the free (earlier) version online, I encourage anyone to spend a little to compensate Andrew for writing such a good and helpful book.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N9ICA12...ng=UTF8&btkr=1
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A free ebook version Andrew uploaded for free viewing contains much content, but not the same content (it does not contain the newer 40,000 words noted above). Here is a link to the latest authorized free version (3rd edition PDF). If you like this, I still encourage the
purchase of the full, newest edition from Amazon.
http://sfbaysss.org/resource/doc/Sin...rdEdition2.pdf
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Have fun reading!