BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS
Here are books and publications that were not included in the Mariner's Guide bibliography. Some are boaters' suggestions and some have been added now that I've had a chance to read and review them. There are new titles, new editions, and "oldies but goodies." Boaters' recommendations are welcome; please use the Contact Form or email address. Watch this page!
Anchoring
Safety
Seamanship and Sailing
Weather
(Header photo: © P. Travis, Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, 1849,west coast of Scotland. Engineered by Alan Stevenson, uncle of Robert Louis Stevenson.)
Anchoring
- Blackwell, Alex and Daria Blackwell. Happy Hooking, 2nd Edition. n.p. White Seahorse, 2011. Written by two highly-experienced cruisers, the book is comprehensive, readable, and up-to-date, with excellent details about everything you need to anchor, moor, and raft in all situations. It covers important information not found in other books on anchoring. Highly recommended for all boaters, regardless of "hooking" experience.
- Calder, Nigel: How to Read a Nautical Chart, A Complete Guide to Understanding and Using Electronic and Paper Charts, Second Edition. Camden, ME: International Marine, 2012. Part I, "The Limits of Accuracy," has been revised and updated significantly, and Calder clearly explains everything you need to know about using charts, especially electronic charts. Chart No. 1 is included in the book, covering all the symbols and abbreviations on U.S. and international charts. Even if you have the first edition of this important book, you should update your library with this new one - especially if you use or are planning to use electronic charts.
- United States Coast Pilot® series, nine volumes covering most of the U.S. waterways, is now available online as free, downloadable PDFs. These publications are updated every week. Find "channel descriptions, anchorages, bridge and cable clearances, currents, tide and water levels, prominent features, pilotage, towage, weather, ice conditions, wharf descriptions, dangers, routes, traffic separation schemes, small-craft facilities, and Federal regulations applicable to navigation." See www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov.
- Beebe, Robert P. (author), revised by James F. Leishman. Voyaging Under Power, Third Edition, Camden, ME: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 1994. The classic book about long-distance voyaging under power has been revised by world cruiser Jim Leishman (designer of the Nordhavn 46 trawler). The third edition is required reading for anyone who wants to take a power vessel on a long cruise.
- PassageMaker Magazine: http://www.passagemaker.com. Print and electronic magazine devoted to the trawler lifestyle. Resource Links are to marine manufacturers' websites of interest to all cruisers. Blogs by active cruisers.
- Powerboating Canada magazine: www.powerboating.com. Promotional website for the magazine, with a sample digital copy and some sample articles. Magazine has boat reviews, technology, how-to, boating lifestyle, and other articles.
Safety
- Adriance, Robert A. Seaworthy: Essential Lessons from BoatU.S.'s 20-Year Case File of Things Gone Wrong. Camden, ME: International Marine, 2006. This book could save your life or your boat from a preventable accident. The chapter titles are: Avoiding Collisions, Preventing Fires, Staying Afloat, Seamanship, Hurricane Warning, Be Careful Out There, and Winterizing and Spring Fitting Out. Seaworthy is essential reading for anyone who owns a boat. It is a very readable and practical guide to the causes of marine mayhem (with dramatic photos) and what you can do to prevent bad things from happening. New quarterly Seaworthy reports are available to BoatU.S. members: www.boatus.com.
Seamanship and Sailing
- NEW! Naranjo, Ralph: The Art of Seamanship, Evolving Skills, Exploring Oceans, and Handling Wind, Waves, and Weather. Camden, ME: International Marine, 2014. Although this book is classified as a technical book, it's eminently readable for novice and experienced sailors because of the clear and engaging writing. We remember things better when there's a story attached to the information, and Mr. Naranjo selects a number of illustrative stories from his own vast experience and that of other sailors to illustrate the important lessons of preparation and response that characterize good seamanship.
Weather
- Hurricanes: Rick Schwartz, Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States, a Surprising History from Jamestown to the Present. Whether you’re a resident of this area or would like to read the fascinating history and analysis of these powerful storms, this book is a great read. Rick’s active website is www.midatlantichurricanes.com. It’s “the site for historical Mid-Atlantic regional hurricane information, analysis and perspective.” You can order his large-format (9” x 11”) book on the website. Rick’s research is comprehensive and the photographs are dramatic! The history comes alive with the words of people who experienced the destructive effects of these powerful storms. Some of these stories have been repeated by Sandy’s survivors. Batten down the hatches!
(Header photo: © P. Travis, Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, 1849,west coast of Scotland. Engineered by Alan Stevenson, uncle of Robert Louis Stevenson.)