Reviews (10)

Take the hint(s).
It would be foolish to think about seriously sailing or cruising without taking Bill Seifert's learned counsel!!

Get this one
I rarely bother to write reviews, but I have to add my kudos to the others given here. There is a down-to-earth pragmatism in these pages that I haven't found anywhere else. The authors have condensed an extraordinary amount of experience into 200 very succincttips that cover a broad range of subjects.Many of their suggestions are low tech and can be easily implemented yourself. They have been there, done that and it shows. I am putting this one right next to Dashew, Calder, Sutphen and Leonard to fill in the blanks.

Personal experience with Bill Seifert
Having a copy of this book is the next best thing to actually having Bill aboard.I have had the privilege of knowing and sailing with Bill for over 12 years. While I had sailed all my life, I had never done any offshore work until after I met Bill. His teaching prepared me and my family for the satisfying challenges of offshore sailing. He has sailed with me on 4 Marion-Bermuda races including the 2001 race in which we were first in Class A, and 2nd(by one minute) on elapsed time. He is an excllent teacher and a resourceful boat keeper.He is also an outstanding offshore gourmet cook.(That is another story, maybe even a book.)Many of the tips in this book were generated by his experiences on my Alden 50 cutter, Despedida and on her successor, a new Alden 54 cutter.I would not go offshore without having read this book and having it aboard. With this book, all aspiring to sail offshore, can have Bill aboard. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Sailing    3. Sailing - General    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Subjects:  1. Fish    2. Marine Life    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Scuba & Snorkeling   

Reviews (2)

A beautiful display of yacht decoration and craftsmanship
This is a gem of book, more devoted to the art of designing beautiful details and accomodations in yachts, than to aspects of naval design. It deals mostly with relatively large sailing boats. Offers very interesting insights into what is appropriate in interior design and decoration of a sailing yacht and what is not, i.e. the type of textile designs used in furniture that would make you sick with movement while underway. Full of photos the book covers details in almost every area of the deck and accomodations of top-of-the-line yachts. An interesting and artful addition to a design and decoration library. Full of beautiful ideas. Well worth the price.

Needs Something
The book text to me is rather boring explaining the obvious in thewonderful pictures it does include.However, I feel the book could havemade even more use of photographs.The book does have wonderful pictures,but really didn't leave me with any ideas I could use.My partially biasedopinion is based on the fact that I was looking for remodeling ideas forpowerboats, and this book does tend to focus more on sailing yachts.Myboating library could do with or without this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Transportation    6. Boating    7. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    8. Ships & shipping: general interest    9. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (7)

Good Start
Great information that is helping plan a schedule for our trip to the BVI.

The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands:A Complete Guide for Yachtsmen, Divers and Watersports Enthusiasts
I purchased this book prior to a sailing trip through the British Virgin Islands.My family has bareboat chartered in other locations before, but was our first trip to the BVI.This guide was outstanding - gave thorough information about anchoring, mooring and also activities and amenities to enjoy on the various islands.I would highly recommend purchasing this book prior to boating in the Virgin Islands.There is so much to do - we plan to go back next year - we couldn't get to all of the great places this year on a 9 day trip.

An easy guide for some the worlds easiest sailing waters
The spiral binder is a simple solution to using the book aboard. While it is true that you'll get a lot of ads it's a fair trade off since you'll only pay about half of what other cruising guides cost and it will show you the services you're likely to use. I find the technical aspects of this guide (anchoring, mooring, customs, etc.) to be clear and accurate. I've used some well respected guides for other areas that were not so. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Sailing    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Virgin Islands    6. Water sports & recreations   

Reviews (1)

A solid introduction to Strapdown INS
A good introduction from the ground up.Concepts were easily conveyed to the reader.I'm much more comfortable with strapdown systems after reading this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Science/Mathematics    3. Technology    4. Technology & Industrial Arts    5. Electronics & Communications Engineering    6. Navigation   

Reviews (3)

Semi-Narrative History
After you've read a few dozen books on pirates and piracy, you start to notice that they, mostly, repeat the same stuff over and over again. There IS material in here that I have not seen in other books; however, a good portion is rewritten from Captain Charles Johnson's A General History of Pirates. A Classic on Piracy of all Times, and in the Seven Seas...
"The Pirates Own Book" is written in old, Nineteenth Century English, which provides the reader with an archaic atmosphere that allows a better undestanding of the characters and their times. Its illustrations are worth mentioning because they are beautiful and imaginative engravings that have been reproduced in some of the most important works on Piracy. The book covers a wide period in History: from the Medieval Norman and Danish Sea Robbers to the cases of piracy in the first half of the Nineteenth Century. Even though, it lacks to mention the ancient Mediterranean Piracy in the times of Alexander and, later on, in the Roman Times.Something really interesting of this book is that it includes narrations of pirates from all five continents, demonstrating that piracy has existed in all the seas since Maritime Commerce was applied. The lives of some of the least known pirates, such as the Chilean Vincent Benavides and the Spanish Benito de Soto are covered in this volume. "The Pirates Own Book" is highly recommendable for all readers interested in piracy, for it is mentioned as first hand source in many works.

A good book...but beware!
This is a good read, but you better be ready for the original 18th and 19th century language. It is authentic, and is often more disturbing than romantic (as we've come to expect of pirate books). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. History: American    3. Military - General    4. Pirates    5. Sailing - Narratives    6. World - General    7. Aquatic creatures    8. Travel / Adventure    9. Travel writing    10. USA   

Reviews (7)

What can you say... they're the best!
World class advice from world class cruising sailors.

Concerns on Safety Equipment
I liked this book a lot and would highly recommend it apart from their attitude towards safety. Their advice on self-sufficiency is valid, but I feel their attitude on safety equipment is irresponsible. In particular their suggestion to do without an EPIRB.With their experience they may get away with it but most of the readers will be relatively inexperienced. Concerns on Safety Equipment
I liked this book a lot and would highly recommend it apart from their attitude towards safety. Their advice on self-sufficiency is valid, but I feel their attitude on safety equipment is irresponsible. In particular their suggestion to do without an EPIRB.With their experience they may get away with it but most of the readers will be relatively inexperienced.Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks & Manuals    2. Personal & Practical Guides    3. Reference    4. Sailing - General    5. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Naval forces & warfare    8. Sailing    9. Seamanship   

Reviews (1)

A complete history.Full of stats and photos
This book is a good read on a chapter by chapter basis.Each chapter is devoted to a specific event, plane or pilot.Each chapter took me about an hour to read, so there are many hours of enjoyable reading to behad.Read more

Subjects:  1. Air Sports    2. Airplane racing    3. Airplanes, Racing    4. Aviation - General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Transportation    8. United States    9. Air sports & recreations   

Reviews (5)

The woods are lovely, dark and deep ...
Easy to get Lost in this Gripping Narrative....
Gripping Account
This fascinating book tells two stories, of two men who lost their way on separate journeys into the north woods. Its structure is engaging: it tells the two stories side by side in alternating chapters. It details their peril, their survival efforts, and the search and rescue operations.
I loved this book!
My title says it all, but it bears repeating: I really did love this book. It's interesting, well written, and utterly riveting.I am a sleep-deprived mom to a toddler and a baby, but this book kept me up at night reading well past the hour when I should have been asleep.I read about this book in my alumni magazine (like the author, I am a graduate of the U of MN).When I read that the book chronicles not just one man lost in the wilderness, but two, each in different years and circumstances, I wondered how the author would manage to tell both stories without confusing the reader.He does it masterfully.The stories of the two men are woven seamlessly together, in alternating chapters, and the structure adds beautifully to the suspense.This is a terrific book.I highly recommend that you buy it right now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boundary Waters Canoe Area    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Minnesota    4. Search and rescue operations    5. Special Interest - Adventure    6. Travel    7. Travel - General    8. United States - Midwest - West North Central (General)    9. Wilderness survival    10. Travel / Adventure    11. True stories of endurance & survival   

Reviews (3)

Very Good Manual
Except for having to jump around to find things, I was able to rebuild my Johnson 110 hp motor with it and it runs great. This is the first time I ever tried to do this and without the manual, I would have been lost. There were a few things that I had to figure out myself, but all in all this manual helped a great deal. I would recomment it to those wishing to try it as I did.

erinrude/johnson outboard shop manual 48-235 hp, 1973 1990
Typical of Clymer outboard manuals-I have found this manual very useful.I'm not that mechanical and I appreciate the manual's attention to detail and for the numerous pictures and diagrams.

My opinion
I feel the book was written ok...just OK. I feel the biggest problem is that its too broad. Just when you are finally figuring out what your reading... its about the wrong engine size or year. I will have to admitthat its probably as good as its going to get for a repair manual notbought from the dealer. Bottom line good for info, just not for a rebuild ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Maintenance and repair    4. Outboard motors    5. Reference    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Small Boat Maintenance and repair    8. Transportation   

Reviews (2)

From the Simple to the Difficult, It's All Here
Most cruisers are not shipwrights and never will be, but that doesn't mean you can't learn to do some easy woodworking tasks. And even if you can't master the basic rudiments of joinery, because, like me, you have clumsy hands and the artistic ability of a one-eyed fruit fly, you can at least get an idea about how to use the basic hand and electric tools used in cabinetmaking. True, you most likely won't be building a boat, but Mr. Bingham has simple projects in his book that even a simpleton like me can manage, plus if you have a lot of wood on your boat, or you are one of those who is forever changing and improving your floating home, than this is a handy book to have on board.

Very Basic
This book touches on basic woodworking joinery.Its a good reference for novices.The only short commings that i could find were that it wasnt as advanced as i thought it would be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - Boatbuilding    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. Ships & Shipbuilding - General    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation / Boating    6. Woodworking   

Reviews (7)

Racing Skipper's Must Have
This review refers to "Sailing Smart" By Buddy Melges and Charles Mason...
valuable tips
for all that wish to improve the saling skills and achiev better regata performance this book will guide you between the teory and practical. Very good.

Tell it like it is
I enjoyed this book and recommend it.Buddy Melges tells the reader what he is considering all the way around an olympic race course.This is a practitioners style of writting without the fluff.He tells you how and why and then moves on to the next phase of the race course.Learn the secrets and steepen your learning curve. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Sailing - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (1)

Excellent reference for the whitewater enthusiast.
Mssrs. Walbridge and Sundmacher cover the subject of whitewater rescuewell.It is geared toward the recreational boater, but is also a valuabletool for the public safety officer (police, sheriff, fire/rescue,SAR,ranger, etc.). It does not cover reading whitewater, since assumes thereader is already a boater of some sort.It does present the most commonproblems and solutions.In addition it covers use of the tools needed tosafely execute timely rescues.Easy reading, excellent photographs anddrawings illustrate the points well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canoeing    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Kayaking    4. Rafting (Sports)    5. Safety measures    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Water Sports    9. White Water Canoeing And Kayaking    10. White-water canoeing    11. Canoeing & kayaking    12. First aid for the home    13. Sports & Recreation / Kayaking   

Reviews (45)

A great tale - if you can get through the nautical lingo.
This book is a great tale of both adventure and daily life both on land and sea, if you can make it through the sections full of nautical lingo.For example: "We were going along with studding-sails set on both sides, when, as we came round the point, we had to haul our wind, and took in the lee studding-sails.As the brig came more upon the wind, she felt it more, and we doused the sky-sails, but kept the weather studding-sails on her, bracing the yards forward so that the swinging-boom nearly touched the sprit-sail yard." (page 75).
Chronicles Of An 1835 Merchant Sailor
First, Richard Henry Dana was the sole author of Two Years Before the Mast. There are currently a half dozen books in print in which co-authors attempt to share credit for Dana's work. Dana dropped out of Harvard and signed up for a two year voyage as a common deckhand. This class of sailor sleeps in a communal room forward of the main mast called the forecastle, or "focsle," thus the "...before the mast" in the title. Showing the attention to detail which would eventually get him through Harvard and make him a Boston attorney, he kept excruciatingly detailed notes, which he appears to have resisted editing.
THROUGH ANOTHER'S EYES
As recounted by others, this is theself-told history of an American university student who went to sea, around the Horn to California and back, for two years in the late 1830's, spending several months on the California coast collecting hides. In its time, its impact was due to the revelation to the public of the hard life of the common seaman and its description of California when that land was under Mexican rule. My impressions:
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Subjects:  1. 1815-1882    2. 18th And 19th Century Description And Travel    3. Alert (Brig : 1843-1862)    4. Dana, Richard Henry,    5. Earth Sciences - Geography    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: American    10. Maritime History    11. Pilgrim (Brig)    12. Sailing - Narratives    13. Seafaring life    14. United States - 19th Century    15. Voyages and travels    16. Biography: general    17. Dana, Richard Henry    18. History / United States / 19th Century    19. Travel writing    20. USA    21. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

When your marriage fails and life in England gives no solace, the solution, thought Peter Nichols, is to take his beloved boat Toad and sail across the Atlantic to Maine. Nichols, who has spent years sailing small boats but who is far from a wealthy yachtsman, had lovingly restored his 27-foot boat with his former wife. At sea, he reflects upon the busted marriage and upon the odd turns his life has taken. He also engages in some fascinating thoughts detailing the rigors of sailing single-handedly across an ocean. This book is very well written, and as Nichols slowly realizes that Toad has a flaw below the waterline making her less than seaworthy, it turns into a poignant battle for survival on the open ocean. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A book about love
Peter writes about his love for boats that he developed early in life from his teacher Mr. Earl; his love for his wife J; for Toad, his little wooden boat that he rebuilt and sailed for so many miles, often alone; his love for the sea; the Hiscocks; even for the Captain that rescues him (without telling the end of the story).His is a very entertaining and inspiring story, which also teaches a whole lot about sailing offshore.This is a true story with all the elements of an intense life, as real as it gets.I definitively recommend reading this book. At one point Peter is thousands of miles offshore, alone in his small boat, and taking on water at an increasing rate.Hard to put down.

Excellent Read
A story that weaves the threads of life is found in this book.I first read it when it came out, and recently re-read it. I found it more enjoyable the second-time around.The stories within the story are filled with great tales, danger, introspection, teak, and global adventures.The reward of getting through this book will stay with you long after it has been put away.It is true that this is a story of sailing, but it is really so much more.It contains much more than other books in the same genre.
A good sailing or break-up book
Peter Nichols book interweaves two stories quite well- his emotions as his marriage declines, and the story of trying to get a wooden boat across the Atlantic.Both stories are told in a very honest manner, reminding the reader that even the best sailors and partners can hit troubled waters.The sailing lore is impressive, and will give a day-sailor a new respect for long distance sailing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Sailing - General    6. Sports - General    7. Biography & Autobiography / General    8. Biography: general    9. Sailing   

Reviews (10)

Or how to BUILD a Cruising Sailboat?
I eagerly added this book to my wish list based on it's title and found that what was inside the book was less about selecting your ideal cruising sailboat than it was about selecting a custom design, or perhaps directing the construction of your custom dream boat.
A good book about sailboat design
I was looking for a book that would help me select a cruising sailboat, as the title suggested. This is really a book about sailboat design and design features that must be considered for different types of cruising. The book was very interesting in terms of boat design, as it lays out the "design thinking" and use-specific features in the design of five different boat types. Because we already know exactly what sort of cruising we intend to do, this book didn't get us very much further down the "choosing a boat" path. It is, however, useful in terms of helping evaluate used boats and their design features based on the important features of his "model" designs. This book will educate, but won't necessarily help you choose from the wide range of used boats that are out there. The Used Boat Guide "from the pages of Sailing Magazine" is an excellent choice if that's the sort of help you're looking for. I give it three stars only because the title is a bit misleading - a better title might be "Choosing the Right Cruising Sailboat DESIGN".

Choosing a Cruising Sailboat???
My review is simply that this book was mis-titled. It should have read Designing a Cruising Sailboat not Choosing. It speaks less of real boats and more about 4-5 mythical boats of which the author walks you through the design process of.If you've got lots of cash and want to see your custom design come to life this book may be for you.The author even goes so far as to say that proper boat maintenance starts when you visit your boat builder while your boat is being built and blah blah...at this point I considered the book a loss. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Design and construction    3. Sail Boating    4. Sailboats    5. Sailing - General    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - General    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Transportation    10. Yachts    11. Sailing    12. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    13. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (9)

Author Comment
Mr. Zohar is correct that The Waterproof Coach is more helpful to the beginning swimmer or triathlete than to the competitive swimmer.The workouts are mostly freestyle because most fitness swimmers are not proficient in the other strokes.The book is a bit pricey at $29.95 but that is because it is printed on completely waterproof paper. The paper costs three times as much as regular paper.In addition, the workout pages are cut into thirds so that the swimmer can mix and match workouts.This is an expensive part of the manufacturing process.Most of the fitness swimmers and triathletes who have purchased the book since 1997 have been happy with it.

A Waste of Money
In all fairness, I must begin by stating that I am not a triathlete. I am a swimmer.There's a difference. Maybe that's the reason I expected a book that would supply me with some new training ideas. Nada! This book offers the most basic sessions imaginable. Any swimmer can think up better sessions. In fact, you can freely download better training sessions from various internet sites. No drills to speak of in the book. Also, it is assumed that the reader is only swimming freestyle, so there is no stroke training. Lastly, the price is high - $30!
A must-have poolside companion
Let's preface this review with the fact that I'm a neophyte "fitness swimmer" . . I've swam before, but only recently had begun swimming for fitness.This book is exactly what I was looking for . .an easy-to-use book with a great variety of workouts.Because it is waterproof (as the title suggests), I can take it to the pool with me to instantly refer to its contents.Sure, if you're a Master's swimmer, or have swam competetively with a coach, this book may be superfluous.But for the rest of us, it's wonderful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health/Fitness    2. Sports & Recreation / Swimming    3. Sports & Recreation / Training    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Exercise    6. Health & Fitness    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Swimming    9. Swimming And Diving    10. Training    11. Triathlon    12. Water Sports   

Reviews (127)

Downriver
Would you ride a raft with extreme water or would you climb a very slippery? Would you even any of them? This book is about kinds that think that they are so tough but have so many fears, and not even willing to tell anybody about it. Five kids go on an adventure that will leave them scarred for life. Some books are hard to come by, and this book is one of them. One of the characters on this book that pop out to me was a girl named Star. She is always joking, singing, and all other crazy stuff, but when it comes to helping others she is shy. So like I said before you can be very outgoing but have so many insecurities and not say anything to anybody. The more and more you read you see that star is getting over her shyness. This book is the one to when you feel stressed and insecure I give this book five stars. My recommendation is the best.
Downriver
Would it scare you to run the Grand Canyon with no supervision and only experiencing one whitewater rafting run? It doesn't scare seven kids from Discovery Unlimited, known as Hoods in the Woods by these same kids. When they steal the gear and start downriver, water isn't the only thing that gets rough.
Down River
Down River is probably one of Will Hobbs's best selling books he has written. The story is very exiting. It's about juvenile delinquents going on some hard adventures throughout Nevada and Arizona. I like this book a lot. One reason is the adventures they go on, because their lives are at stake every time, whether it is climbing a huge mountain or white water rafting through dangerous river.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Fiction    4. Outward bound schools    5. Survival    6. White-water canoeing    7. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (1)

The Old Town Canoe Company: Our First Hundred Years
An extraordinary review of the company that truly made the word "canoe" mean somthing.The hundreds of hours of research plus a real-time understanding of canoeing by the author has produced one of the great books on and about canoes.This book belongs in every canoest, kayaker, sportman's library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating industry    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Canoeing    4. Canoes and canoeing    5. Equipment and supplies    6. History    7. History: American    8. Infrastructure    9. Old Town Canoe Company    10. United States    11. United States - State & Local - General   

Reviews (5)

Excellent technical manual
This has tons of great information about the repair and maintenance, though the pictures are dated and not all close enough to see the details of what is being illustrated.I would recommend this for the weekend hobby person to skilled mechanic to assist in any work on this model of outboard.

not good for beginners
I found the text to be very unclear for inexperienved mechanics.The instructions say things like "remove the middle and outer cowlings"without explaining what the cowlings are.The picture associated with the instruction step then just shows a picture of the motor without identifying the part in question.
Too broad
Overall not a bad book, found it to be very general in a few key area; this would be due to such a large range of models covered.Next time I may look at the OEM manual; for a comparission. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. Boating - General    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Maintenance and repair    5. Outboard Motors    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Self-Help    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    9. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    10. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    11. Technology    12. Transportation    13. Transportation / Automotive / General