book specifically for offshore techniques

[cyrano138]

I have the pardey's storm tactics and another book called heavy weather sailing, but I would likeo find something that at least tries to address the particulars and methods for stuff like reefing and heaving to, not just when and if you should. I know every boat is different so I realize there won't be a definitive step by step guide, but at least a general guide for those and any other offshore or storm sailing tactics would be fantastic.



Thanks!

[gekkorg]

I would highly recommend Storm Proofing your Boat, Gear, and Crew by Fatty Goodlander.

[dannc]

The Dashew's put the PDF versions of their books here, https://setsail.com/making-it-happen-free-book-offer/.

We have been blessed with the support of the cruising community for many years, and we’d like to return the favor in a small way. We are making Mariner’s Weather Handbook, Surviving the Storm, Practical Seamanship and Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia available for free as PDF files. We hope Mariner’s Weather Handbook helps you avoid the need for Surviving the Storm, and that Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia and Practical Seamanship enhance your tools for successful cruising. If these books help a few of our fellow cruisers have a more enjoyable experience, and perhaps stay out of difficulty, we will have been amply repaid. Simply click on the links below to download these publications.

Mariner’s Weather Handbook
Surviving the Storm
Practical Seamanship
Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia

The books are free.

Later,
Dan

[Fore and Aft]

This guy put out an interesting book.
Cheers
https://dragdevicedb.com/

[ChrisJHC]

I find Tom Cunliffe’s books useful - both “The Complete Yachtmaster” and “The Complete Ocean Skipper”.

[Orion Jim]

“Handling Storms At Sea” by Hal Roth. When I head offshore it’s the one reference always in my library.

[Ded reckoner]

I recommend you go out under different conditions (e.g. 10kts, 15, 20, 25, 30) up to the point that you feel comfortable (which will increase as you gain experience) and practice going hove to. As the wind increases, you will observe the techniques you used in calmer conditions are the same, but the degree to which you reef will change. That is to say, there is no one prescribed method of particular details for all conditions. But, once you accumulate experience under controlled conditions, you will feel more confident about your abilities when a squall or some heavy weather comes up.

Also, I recommend the instructive and entertaining book by John Kretschmer, Sailing a Serious Ocean. He has a definite preference for forereaching. After you've gotten comfortable heaving to, you should try forereaching the next time a squall comes up. This will give you a taste of what he is talking about.

Regarding sea anchors, the vendors usually have very good educational videos.

[grantmc]

+1 to DedReckoner

In my view the definitive text is K Adlard Coles Heavy Weather Sailing.

But I think work your way up, and reading some of the storm books can be a rather scary experience. In the reality of today's sailing we have excellent weather forecasting services, and so most passages are sailed comparatively favourable conditions. That assumes passages are made within the appropriate season, nor is one pushing the boundary of extreme sailing locations.

[Manateeman]

Coles Heavy Weather Sailing is a fine book. Talk to fishermen.
There is no substitute for experience hours...sea time. Sailing classes included.
One of my crew did Yachtmaster and just laughed as it was not worth the money.
Captain Mark

[dannc]

I have read all of the books that have been mentioned except of the Goodlander and https://dragdevicedb.com/ books.

All of the books listed so far are worth reading but at some point you have to practice what is in the books. Hopefully the books about weather keep you from having to actually use what is in these books.

With the idea of staying out of bad weather, Chesneau's book is worth reading more than once or twice, https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Weather...7-93deae8f9840.

The Kindle version of the book is listed under the coauthor's name, Chen, but Chesneau wrote the book. I had a couple of classes with him and he talks the way the book is written. Chesneau somehow manages to use very few words to describe complex topics. His classes, and the book to some extent, is like sipping from a firehouse. His book is well worth the time and effort to read.

Later,
Dan

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Manateeman

Coles Heavy Weather Sailing is a fine book. Talk to fishermen.

There is no substitute for experience hours...sea time. Sailing classes included.

One of my crew did Yachtmaster and just laughed as it was not worth the money.

Captain Mark

“ did Yachtmaster “ it’s just an on board 2 day exam. There’s no “ course “

[goboatingnow]

To get heavy weather experience sign up for late season deliveries , fishermen are no help as they don’t sail

The books on the subject are very dated but Dashews is one of the best.

[thomm225]

This guy's book used to be standard in that area:

Adlard Coles' Heavy Weather Sailing, Sixth Edition Hardcover –

https://www.amazon.com/Adlard-Coles-...a-849556819160

And if you plan to order the Coles' Book, you may as well get this one also:

Sea Survival: A Manual by Dougal Robertson

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Survival-...ks%2C50&sr=1-1

[goboatingnow]

I have all the books mentioned so far. The Alard Cole’s is very dated especially if you sail a modern canoe body yacht.

[Stu Jackson]

The recurring advice to "go out & do it" are very wise.

There's two parts to heavier and heavy weather sailing:

The Boat and You.

You NEED to become familiar with the things the ocean can send at you. At the same time you need to know how your boat handles different conditions.

The ONLY way to do that is to "go out & do it".

When I lived in San Francisco, we'd experience dead calm to 25 knots between 1100 and 1600 every single summer afternoon! Going out in the ocean was a completely different experience than The Bay, and it was only two nms further out The Gate. We did shoulder season and then winter sailing out in the ocean.

We built up OUR OWN confidence as well as confidence in The Boat.

I'd also read all the books, but there isn't anything in those books that replaces personal experience. And many of those books are written about extreme conditions, which do happen. But 99% of the time you are NOT in extreme conditions. You must build up a resume of your own. And most of those books will explain just how to do just that.

Good luck, and think: it means more sailing for you, out on your boat!