Editorial Review

Do yourself a favor: if you own a boat, you should also own theRead more

Reviews (27)

Indespensible boat manual
I'm not talking about yachting type books. I have owned and operated commercial fishing boats in Alaska, for over 30 years.And this book demystifies bonding, grounding, AC boat wiring, lightning protection, a whole chapter just on batteries, and that's just the electrical part of the book. If your unsure about some aspect of your boat's electrical system or machinery, and are walking the docks trying to find out something about them, GET THIS BOOK. Some of that BS one hears on the dock can sink you.

a very usefull manual
covers many important areas where problems usually arise. easily understood explanations and instructions to find and resolve problems. great resource to keep on the boat.

excellent book
i am a marine student in nz, i was doing a assigment of boat battery. i went to libarary for this book and i read through the first chapter of the book which gives me from basic to depth ideas about battery. it's worth to own a book like this if you are a real boatie. perticularly for trouble shooting. cheers, enjoy ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boats and boating    3. Electric equipment    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Maintenance and repair    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (21)

Good resource
If I had a partner or a teacher and enough time, I think I could get swimming down much better. I am trying to learn too fast and cannot get the breathing down for the freestyle; going from novice swimmer to doing a 400 meter pool swim in four weeks wasn't enough time for me. The book is great, and I also bought the DVDs, which I found helpful. This is something I have learned that I can't cram, but given enough time I think the book could give me what I need to swim well.

The anatomy of a 2 second manuever....
Common sense stuff really. Break down a 2 second golf swing and see if you can make it better: although it may make perfect sense, translating the logic into a 2-second manuever probably takes years to make it effortless....

Learn to be fish like.
I took a TI weekend work shop and bought the book. The book has all the priceless information I learnt during the work shop that will help you find your balance in the water and be more fish like when swimming. It's a handy book that you will refer back to over and over again to become a better swimmer. But of course nothing can replace the hours of practice of what you will learn from this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness / Exercise    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation / Swimming    4. Exercise    5. Fitness    6. Health & Fitness    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Study and teaching    9. Swimming   

Reviews (7)

The Bible for Freediving
As a freedive instructor, I feel that this book should be manditory for ALL freedivers who wish to learn from a master of the sport.
In Europe freediving is an art form.
In Europe freediving is an art form. It is against the law to spearfish using tanks therefore spearfishermen have had to dive deep in the cold waters of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea hunting their quarry. More than that, freediving is the building block upon which good diving and underwater skills are based.
Freediving
The intent of this book is to help you become a better freediver. It contains excellent teaching to help improve your freediving skills. There is practical advice to help you relax and learn to be in tune with your body. This book will help you to reach new levels of performance, dive deeper, stay longer, with more comfort and ease.
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Subjects:  1. Scuba & Snorkeling    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Work-Related Health   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (44)

Best collection of knots ever.
This book has just about every kind of knot you could ever imagine. The drawings are quite nice and history within the book is most interesting. If you've ever had an interest in knots, rope, or sailing this is the book for you.

Knot-Withstanding
This is a marvelous piece of work, a wonderfully compiled index and history on the amusing subject of knots.Moreover; this is the story of knots, written with a scholar's pen (so, it's educational), but told with a seaman's heart. The author's passion for his subject, evident on every page, animates all of his hand-drawn, disciplinedillustrations(Ashley was a student of the great Howard Pyle), which lends the book a nice, user-friendly appeal. As the author literally unravels the chords of the past on the subject, he then meticulously ties all loose ends together to knot the vast gamut of one ofhumanity's oldest skills and indispensable crafts in one timeless reference book. Here is a legendary work for the ages on a specialized professional skill, and a skill people rely upon everyday.
"I'm a bit tied up at the moment."
First published in 1944, THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS is a fundamental reference work for anyone who works with rope, be you a sailor, stevedore, circus acrobat or dominatrix.
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Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. General    5. Knots and splices    6. Sailing - General    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. Sports & Recreation / Sailing    9. CRAFTS/HOBBIES   

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boating And Sailing    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY NON-FICTION    6. Sports & Recreation / Boating    7. Sale Books   

Reviews (16)

"Sail on, sail on, sailor..."
Weighing in at a hefty five pounds plus and almost 1000 pages long, this book is as important to your boat as its keel, and almost as dense. First published by Nathaniel Bowditch in 1802 and carried on board every U.S. Navy vessel, THE AMERICAN PRACTICAL NAVIGATOR ("BOWDITCH") is the quintessential seafarer's reference.
I know nothing
I bought this book for my brother who is in the Navy. He said it is required for them to have. He said it has been very helpful. Other then that, I know nothing else about this book.

A 'must' reference for any serious boater
The 2002 bicentennial edition of Bowditch's American Practical Navigator is a weighty tome prepared and published by the national Imagery and Mapping Agency in Maryland. Packed with international and foreign nautical charts, details on Logan navigation, discussions of navigation regulations and ocean chemistry and properties, and logarithm charts, The American Practical Navigator is a 'must' reference for any serious boater, and for libraries where boaters congregate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. History    3. History: American    4. Sailing - Navigation    5. Transportation   

Reviews (4)

dated
This is a very old book as far as fiberglass boats go.Must later prcedures,and products not included. There is some usefull info in the book

Ready, Set, Fix
This book was not only very informative, but also a very great read.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down once I started.Quickly I now have the knowledge I need to continue my work on my project boat.I would recommend this to anyone looking to work with an old boat of any kind.True enough, some tricks here will save you money.

I think there are better books out there . . .
This is a good book.It is complete, to be sure.For the expert fiberglass repair person, I cannot speak, but it is certainly difficult to read for an amateur.Generally, a bit much to swallow.I think that other books have similar information more elegantly stated.The fault is not with the content, but the presentation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - Boatbuilding    2. Boating - General    3. Boats and boating    4. Fiberglass boats    5. Maintenance and repair    6. Ship Maintenance And Repair    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. Small Ship Design And Construction    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Boating    12. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    13. Ships & shipping: general interest    14. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Editorial Review

When Read more

Reviews (13)

Bible of Boating, but maybe you just need a little prayer.
If you could only buy one book on boating, this would be it, but it's overkill for a beginning recreational boater. The newcomer to boating will get lost in all the detail if he tries to use this as a practical manual. With all the books on boating, it might be better to label this as an intermediate-advanced reference book. Sure, it's got everything, but most weekenders don't need to know everything, just the basics.

an absolute boater's neccessity
Chapmans is the must-have for any boater who wants to do things the right way. I regularly go to this book. Easy to read, organized and practical. A bit big to bring onboard, however.

Don't Leave Home (or the Dock) Without It!
Our most frequently asked question: "What's the one book you'd recommend for a boater?"Our answer every time: "Chapman's."Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating And Sailing    2. Motorboats    3. Navigation    4. Pilots and pilotage    5. Sailing - Navigation    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - General    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Transportation   

Editorial Review

Masters swimmer and acclaimed coach Terry Laughlin has taught thousands to swim more efficiently in the workshops he has given across the United States. In his book Laughlin details simple, step-by-step drills emphasizing the importance of technique and an innovative workout regimen. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Cheap
Not a single photo ! Just a few sketches and a lot of talk. Save your money.

Misleading "concept"
This book describes a concept which is not revolutionary at all, lacks a comprehensive concept and good illustrations. The first chapters lead the reader redundantly through the biophysics and biomechanics of swimming bodies and quite extensively, the development of TI. Unfortunately, it sounds more like self-adulation and is excessively descriptive. The impatient reader will skip these chapters, asking himself where the swimming drills are. Thus, coming to real swimming, this book describes a good approach by teaching balance and breaking down a stroke into single sequence drills. However, if the reader does some internet search he will get these drills for free. Additionally, most internet pages provide video-clips. The reader may enjoy the drills up to the point where he is ready for real swimming. And then, the reader has to realize that this concept lacks drills for breathing and flip-turns! In summary, this book does not provide a comprehensive concept of swimming lacking essential techniques and good illustrations. Furthermore, the approach is not revolutionary if you research the "evolution" of modern swimming.

Improved my swimming significantly
The advice given in this book is very useful. It significantly reduced my stroke count. The drills are clearly explained as are the reasons why they improve your speed in the pool. It also has examples and stories that are inspiring. It was well worth my time and money ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Swimming    5. Swimming And Diving    6. Training    7. Sports & Recreation / General    8. Swimming & diving   

Reviews (13)

Really essential
Quite a bit of good info here although Nigel does let his rather strong opinions shine through in some areas.Smile.

Nearly best book
After my 22000 nautical miles bluewater sailing and cruising life still I feel myself really beginner.
Great book
Lot's of sailing info packed into one book. Covers many different aspects of sailing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Navigation    4. Sailboats    5. Sailing    6. Sailing - General    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Transportation    9. Travel    10. Sports & Recreation / Boating    11. Cruising    12. Seamanship   

Editorial Review

Just about every other person in the world seems like an unfocused dilettante compared to long-distance swimming legend Lynne Cox. Soon At the age of 14, after several years of training hard in pools and the open sea, she was swimming the 26 mile stretch from Catalina Island to the coast of California. A year after that, she surpassed a lifelong goal by not only swimming the English Channel but setting a new men's and women's record in the process. Rather than be satisfied, Cox aimed still higher, conquering the Cook Strait in New Zealand, the Strait of Magellan and, the Cape of Good Hope, none of which had been swum before. Being the first to swim the Bering Sea from Alaska to what was then the Soviet Union is perhaps Cox's most impressive achievement, requiring a phenomenal amount of physical strength and endurance to withstand the chilly waters and diplomatic persistence to gain permission from Gorbachev during the Cold War. Read more

Reviews (36)

Great Book
Lynne Cox is very brave and her determination to succeed in every aspect of her life was very inspiring.She proves that when you have a passion for something and are willing to work for it, then nothing is out of reach.I really enjoyed this book not just because of that, but also because Lynn proves that she is just as skilled of a writer as she is a swimmer!She captures and holds your attention right to the end, describing in detail her life as a long-distance swimmer.The best way that I can explain it is that it was so good it was almost like reading fiction, if that makes sense.
more than just an interesting story
The story of Lynne Cox is one that we should all know about.It is nothing short of amazing what she did and how she impacted our move away from "cold" relations with the Soviets.The book is well written, easy to read and just plain interesting.But if there is one most impactful element of the book it is the underlying message that through focus one can accomplish anything.A great message for all of us to internalize

Swimming to Entropy
Lynne Cox is a swimmer, but not the type you think of at the beach or the pool.She is a long distance swimmer, and a specialist in swimming in cold water.
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Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Cox, Lynne,    7. Long distance swimming    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Sports - General    10. Swimmers    11. Swimming    12. United States    13. Sports & Recreation / Swimming   

Reviews (8)

Great book
Good enough that I have sent a few copies to friend that needed "help" docking

Very Good Content -- Very Poor Binding
This book contained what I thought was very good information. It was presented in a clear, concise manner, but a little too brief in some instances.The binding however was so poor that the book completely fell apart before I got through with Chapter 2. The rating is solely for content, not construction.

The book to have, for beginers+++
I am a fairly new boat owner with a twenty-four foot inboard. Kudos for Mr. Low in writing a fun, easy to understand book which helped me understand the dinamics at work when you are on the water.This book helped me in to this new journey, with practical advice.It is for the beginer, but comes with ideas and processes that one needs to understand, and remember, even when experienced.Thank you Mr. Low for being there with a great introduction to boat handling, and for keeping it simple to understand. Other books I have purchased get too wordy and use trade terminoligy that I sometimes don't understand.This book got my thumbs up; you woun't regret it if you are a beginer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (4)

Not for the armchair cruiser
I would someday like to cruise around the world, and I bought this book in the hopes of learning more about the possible routes so that I could make some preliminary plans. I'm sure it will come in handy in a few years, but for now, it's overwhelming. World Cruising Routes
An absolute necessity for any small yacht going to sea.It is logically compiled and written.Jimmy Cornell has written a book that is exactly what every sailor needs...guidance in getting from port a to port b efficiently, safely, and with the best possible winds and weather.

Great Map
If you are looking for an excellent road map of the oceans and plan on traveling soon this is a good read.Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boating And Sailing    3. Navigation    4. Reference - Cruise Guides    5. Sailing    6. Sailing - General    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Travel - General    10. Yachting    11. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (5)

GREAT SWIMMING BOOK
This book is an excellent training guide for the swimmer at any level.I have been swimming for many years and after reading this book I have taken my skills to a higher level.I feel much stronger in the pool and my endurance has really increased.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to anyone who loves to swim.

unbeatable
Of all the training books out there today, this is the only one i have seen that really speaks to the swimmer specifically!This is an invaluable resource for any swimmer or coach.I would recommend this to the novice swimmer or a pro. Two thumbs up!

A Real Splash!!
I found that this book increased my speed, strength, and endurance.Often times, by increasing strenght, swimmers lose efficiency in their strokes.I found that this book did a great job increasing stroke power, while reiterating the need to maintain stroke efficiency.A GREAT BUY! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    5. Sports & Recreation / Swimming    6. Sports & Recreation / Training    7. Swimming    8. Training    9. Athletic Training And Conditioning    10. Exercise    11. Health & Fitness    12. Physical education and training   

Reviews (12)

culture of surfing & the science of spirituality
Surfing is a world i have never had a window into, and probably never really will. As an outsider I loved reading about the cultural aspects of surfing. These stories built a notion of a surfing "ethnology" if you will.Being a surfer is in some ways like being part of a particular ethnic group...the great surf quests, the history of surf on film, the gegraphy of waves, the surf myths themselves & the almost folk tale aspects around surfing locations and surfing experience.Coming from an anthropological background, the cultural aspects of the book intrigued me.I found people's stories & character devleopment amusing, colorful, and in depth from a certain aspect. These stories tell the reader something about how a group mentality can develop as a result of the search, the waiting, and the community that builds around surfing.
What's Next Boss?
This semi-autobiographical book starts with the author having one of those moments where what comes after will not be like what went before. In his case the determining factor was a bout with Lyme disease. He had the disease a lot harder than most people and was basically bed ridden for two years, he was over the disease but left weak and probably depressed. Solution: Go to Mexico and go surfing.
West ofJesus
This book points out that religion is actually a product of evolution. It turns out people who control their pain with myth are more sucessful biologically.
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Subjects:  1. Aquatic Sports    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. General    8. Lyme disease    9. Patients    10. Spiritual life    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Surfers    13. United States    14. Water Sports    15. Sports & Recreation / Water Sports   

Reviews (1)

A Must Have for the Do-It-Your-Selfer
This book is a must have for the occasional do-it-your-selfer. Being a compilation of all of the Don Casey books on sailboat maintenance, I find myself pulling this book off the shelf more often than any other maintenance book I own.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Maintenance and repair    3. Sailboats    4. Sailing - General    5. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Boating    9. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Editorial Review

First launched in 1983, Read more

Reviews (20)

One Hand For Yourself, One Hand For The Ship
THE ANNAPOLIS BOOK OF SEAMANSHIP by John Rousmaniere is the ur-text on sailing used by virtually every sailing school as its primary educational source. Now in its third edition, this eminently readable and well illustrated book is encyclopedic in its scope, crammed full of practical information about sailing vessels, the mechanics of sailing them, and the traditions of sailing. It's a measure of the excellence of THE ANNAPOLIS BOOK OF SEAMANSHIP how familiarly Rousmaniere presents this largely alien topic with its many very specialized terms of art.
Has good info...
This book has some pretty good info and is quite comprehensive and well laid out.If you're going to buy 1 book, let it be this one.That's if you ever get around to reading it (it being so comprehensive and all) it's almost easier to go out sailing than trawl through it's many pages!But a worthwhile reference.

Smooth sailing
Unlike some reference books that I have seen, the Annapolis Book of Seamanship is clearly written and understandable for this novice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boating And Sailing    3. Navigation    4. Sailing    5. Sailing - General    6. Seamanship    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Boating    10. Marine engineering    11. Reference works    12. Ships & shipping: general interest    13. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (46)

Maui - the adventure guide
I definitely recommend this guide for anyone visiting for the first time, especially for those who want to do as much as they can and don't have very long to do it. They've produced an honest, informative book which greatly enhanced our experience.If you're looking for a planning guide, buy this one first.The "Best Of" callouts on pages 17 through 20 were so handy; start there first.

owning the series
They fit our comfort zone and after two trips to Maui we still haven't exhausted all the hiking possibilities.The fact that they're heavy on sports and leave out the hype is what makes them click for us.They haven't left out family outings and provide a complete rundown of where it's safe to swim and snorkel.For beach days, we still find Maui our #1 choice and for stand alone guidebooks, the Maui Trailblazer fills the bill.
the good life
We've found a good guidebook is worth its weight in gold and the Maui Trailblazer by the Sprouts got a thorough testing as we explored the island -- sublime listing after listing.Mandatory for preplanning.We reserved our Haleakala primitive cabin weeks ahead.For getting around in the jungleworld and waterworld, it bulges with all the good stuff. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Sports & Recreation / Hiking    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    7. United States - West - Pacific (General)    8. Water Sports    9. Maui    10. Maui (Hawaii)    11. Outdoor recreation    12. Sports & Recreation    13. Surfing   

Reviews (16)

Terrific Book
This text is great and the CD-ROM which lets u take and review practice tests may even better. I was surprised at the effectiveness of the text. All the material was presented in sufficient detail to answer your questions, but no not so detailed as to be burdensome as a college degree. The end result for me was a perfect score on all four sections of the test, but I took a LOT of practice tests. YOU NEED THIS BOOK & CD!

Get Your Captain's License, Third Edition
This new 3rd edition is better than the fist two. It is not a complete guide to all you need to learn to test for a USCG License, but it is a good base.There are still a few corrections needed in the rules that should have been updated for this 3rd edition and not all the study text agrees with the USCG questions.The CD tests is okay for review and gives a good feel of what needs to be studiedfor the USCG exams. Over all makes a great referance and should help anyone looking for a lower level license.

Get Your Captain's License Ed. 3
I received this volume in the mail about two weeks ago and have been hard at work using it to prepare for my exam.While not yet licensed, I have boated and sailed much of my life and am familiar with most of the material in it already.
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Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Careers - Other Specific Fields    3. Examinations, questions, etc    4. Licenses    5. Navigation    6. Professional - General    7. Seamanship    8. Ship captains    9. Ships & Shipbuilding - General    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Study Guides    13. United States    14. Boating    15. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (8)

Good information from very experienced people
It's wonderful to keep this dream alive for those of us with moderate means. I'd recommend this book, along with FitzGerald's Sea-steading, as basic reference volumes for simple sailing.

modern man is loosing his ability to use his own hands
I read this book fifteen years ago, then bought the new edition because someone borrowed my old one. Yup, as the previous reviewer said, the Pardyes have only updated this edition, adding maybe 30 percent new info. But their message is as modern as today. Only by knowing how to get along without al the fancy gadgets can you be have a chance to feel completely in charge of your cruising life. You may never need to get along without your engine, or without your electronics, but if they do fail you will not feel stuck,if you think through what they say.By the way, I happened to go to their website and am amazed at the wonderful life they have made for themselves, a small but grand cruising boat and a boatyard and home in New Zealand that makes a perfect safe haven that I would love to have for my later years.

Outdated
This book is so old it should not be sold anymore.The so called "updates" are simply token and the whole book is too old to be of help. Also, the people are so spartan they really don,t relate to the modern cruiser..ie.. they spend time on the merits of kerosene lights.When they finally retire to land I sure they will end up in a trailer park. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating And Sailing    2. Sailing - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sailing    6. Ships & shipping: general interest