Boating Books

I would suggest it for anyone intending to build a boat, or anyone interested in the history of boats in any way means or form.

This is the classic book about classic boats. I bought it because of my interest in one particular boat and ended up reading it cover to cover. The author put together a large part of the Smithsonian's collection of boat plans and definitely knew his stuff. This is a great book if you are interested in a particular type of historic boat. It is also worth reading just to compare the relative merits of different designs. The lines and offsets given for the many of boats are enough to build from.

For anyone interested in small American sailing craft this is the definite volume. As a small boat builder and model builder there is no more comprehensive source of information.

Each section on the boat type is both too short and long enough. I wanted more text on dories, and Whitehalls, my favorite boats but there was enough about Bermuda fishing boats and Jersey Shore boats to pique my interest to go google them and see if I could find a modern version to look at. If you are considering buying or building a 19th century style boat this is a great guide to what you are getting. It's original purpose and design guidelines. It is not a how to build a boat unless you already know what you are doing and can read micro drawings of lines. To a master boat builder this book would be enough to a garage shop guy, only a taste.

I bought it to research Jersey Shore boats and ended up reading it all. A boat nuts bible.

Howard Chapelle lived and wrote at a time when the fleets of working small sailing craft rapidly vanished. His life's work was to preserve a lowly, humble part of American maritime heritage, and his efforts are without peer.

In American Small Sailing Craft, Chapelle shows us a number of the plain work-a-day craft of the watermen of old. Although people of those times took little notice of such common, plain, ordinary vessels, we modern readers are left to marvel at their seaworthiness, sturdiness, simplicity--in short, their consummate practicality.

Any maritime heritage enthusiast will love this classic book.

This book is a wonderful introduction and reference work on the art of boatbuilding. Although I would love to see Mr. Steward do an online version of the book so that the techniques and materials would remain up-to-date, his methods and materials are time-tested and proven to work as is. There is no better work for beginners.

This book is (or should be) truly mandatory for anyone constructing a boat or rebuilding a boat (sail or power) made of wood. It is an invaluable reference, and has a wealth of information and tips for the most experienced boatbuilder. Most importantly however, is that it paints a remarkably accuate portrait of what is involved in working with the media of wood and water. It will either encourage the motivated amateur, or discourage him or her with its no-nonsense explanation of the nature of such an undertaking.

In short, it makes life easier for *anyone* who works with wooden boats, sail or power.

I'm actually building a boat and will tell you that this book is a good overview on the topic, but when it comes to finding specifics for a particular project it will usually fall short. I have had much better luck with a specific research topic referring to the likes of Fred Bingham, Howard Chappelle, Bud Mcintosh, and Larry Pardey. Having said that, your library is not complete without this classic. It is another valued tool in the toolbox

The Boatbuilding Manual is essentially a text book, in all sense of the word, of boatbuilding. It's a great introduction to boatbuilding for beginners and amateurs. If you're looking for a quick, purely instructional guide to building a seacraft, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you are looking for an in-depth, well-researched and well-presented book building a boat, then you have the right book.

This is a beautifully illustrated book, easy to read, and simple to understand. It is really all you need to build your own wooden book. It is inspirational and important at the same time. This would make a wonderful textbook for those whom wish to study the craft in a more rigorous academic environment. While it is a great book, I found some other books better as far as being more complete and up to date. I rated this book a four star rating for this, and only this, reason. I recommend it, and suggest that it would make a great addition to any library of book construction techniques.

I have enjoyed reading this book very much. When I was a girl, I grew up in Plymouth, where the author lives, and is writing about. My brother went to school with one of the sons of Frank. We also lived about two blocks from the subject and the author.
I also remember a lot of the details about the waterfront in Plymouth and enjoyed the "beach" by the Mayflower.
It is very interesting and I think that a lot of people will enjoy reading this book.
The story is very interesting, especially the details of the fishing industry.

Informative & well-written; I couldn't put it down!

This is a beautifully written book with just the right mix of adventure and descriptive writing of interesting places and times-gone by. The lessons learned from Frank alone are worth the read! Skip sure had some fascinating experiences. Michael Tougias, author of Ten Hours Until Dawn: The True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do.

Anyone who has a love of the sea and enjoys true adventure stories will want to check this out.Well written,full of unusual incidents with a most unusual sea captain.

Ever find a book that completely draws you in, and you keep saying, "I'm going to just read one more chapter..." and yet you keep reading, chapter after chapter? That's what Codfish, Dogfish, Mermaids and Frank is like... gripping, exciting, poignant, surprising, and humorous. A fascinating account of the gritty business of deep sea fishing and a sweet, comical coming of age story. All thumbs are UP.

My grandkids loved this book when they borrowed it from the library and they wanted me to buy it for them so they can read it over and over again. Sure to be a classic.

This is a great book to use to introduce children to the concept of food chains and food webs...And the pictures are gorgeous!

I checked this book out of our local library when I was teaching a unit on "oceans" to my preschool class. The children listened closely as the suspense built in this story and the surprise ending was wonderful. The children understood the food chain concept and have asked me several times to "Read it again!" It has also triggered a renewed interest in the children for using their own imaginations to create stories of their own creation. I am ordering a copy for our own personal library. This one is a keeper!

I bought this book for my six year old son.He and his brother have always loved Jerry Pallotta's alphabet books, so I thought we'd give this book a try! Boy, are we glad that I did! The illustrations are beautiful, and as always Mr. Pallotta gives children information in a way that they can understand - but without talking down to them. My son really loved the twist at the end of the story. He was relieved that Danny wasn't out there in the ocean all by himself!

This beauty of a book has so many quality elements! The pictures are gorgeous, first of all, and easily catch and hold readers' attentions. Perhaps some parents will raise their eyebrows at the seemingly disobedient little boy's adventures, but children will be entranced. The ending, in which it is revealed that Danny's adventures are really a bath-time story he is telling himself, far from being a cop-out, is reassuring to parents and kids alike. In between, there is much (accurate!) information, gently shared, that will prompt kids to tell their own bath-time stories.

I always knew this type of information was out there somewhere...

The surface of the earth is over 2 million square miles. Using only a pocket watch, and observing the sun and stars, you can determine where you are on the planet to within about 50 miles. If you don't find that fact astounding, you probably won't be interested in reading Burch's book.

I'm no sailor, but have a great interest in naked eye or minimalist navigation. Some of the techniques require little more than the naked eye, your watch, and a piece of string. These techniques can easily be used on dry land.

The book contains a tome of information-as much a reference book as a straight read: several books could have been written from the information contained-for that matter, the two chapters on navigating by the sun and the stars are well worth the price of the book.

The last time I checked the book was out of print. I downloaded it online from elibra books for less than $20. Get it while you still can.

I honestly doubt I will ever be in a situation such as described in this book. For me that is not the real value of it. Rather it presents a number of navigational concepts that are important to understand if you care to do more than rely on electronic navigation.

If you are interested in celestial navigation or polynesian navigation or any other "ancient and obsolete" techniques you should read this book. If you want an overview that will help you get a seat of the pants feel for where you are this is it.

Ok here's the situation, you are in the middle of the atlantic on your sailing boat, a huge wave has just broached you, but the yacht is OK, nothing seriously damaged. However, the electronic navigation equipment is suffering from it's salt water bath and when you dust the cobwebs off your sextant your trusty crewman drops it over the side. You have your almanac, but you can't find a hand compass anywhere. A fog is beginning to come down and you are afraid that you might be drifting into a busy shipping lane. What to do?

Well, if you had read this book, and if you were diligent enough to practice the techniques regularly you would still have some fingernails left and instead of spending the night sounding off your foghorn at three minute intervals you could have been sleeping comfortably below in the knowledge that the sextant dropper owed you a night watch.

This is a highly readable treatise on marine navigation with applicability to all voyages. The topics covered provide real motivation to become a navigator. The techniques developed scream out to be tried as exercises, if only to stay mentally on edge during an otherwise boring watch. Loran, (D)gps, ... even your compass can be zapped by a bolt of lightening. Get mentally prepared. Deep Six the Sunday Times crossword puzzle. Calculate your position with just your ten dollar watch and the Nautical Almanach!

This book covers simple and indepth information of all aspects of emergency navigation. The material includes use of celestial observation tools that are hand made, navigation with and without a time piece and use of surrounding weather conditions. This book is very user friendly and a must have for the serious mariners and student of traditional navigation. It must be remembered that batteries will only last so long in the GPS.

I received this book as a gift from a non-sailor for Christmas. At a quick first glance and once-over I thought 'I already know this stuff' and the book sat on my bookshelf until now.

As a person who has raced dinghies, catamarans and cruised on sailboats up to 80 feet, I thought I had learned enough of the small details that come with time on the water. I knew, of course, that there is a great deal more to know but I never thought it would come in the form of a simple book.

This book has hundreds of nuggets of information that will make your life easier, more fun and help you look like you know what you are doing, even if you are new to boating.

And if you DO know what you are doing, this is still a great book. I guarantee that there will some several nuggets for anyone and well worth the small price.

Buy this book for yourself of for someone else, you will not regret it.

I received this book as a gift from a non-sailor for Christmas. At a quick first glance and once-over I thought 'I already know this stuff' and the book sat on my bookshelf until now.

As a person who has raced dinghies, catamarans and cruised on sailboats up to 80 feet, I thought I had learned enough of the small details that come with time on the water. I knew, of course, that there is a great deal more to know but I never thought it would come in the form of a simple book.

This book has hundreds of nuggets of information that will make your life easier, more fun and help you look like you know what you are doing, even if you are new to boating.

And if you DO know what you are doing, this is still a great book. I guarantee that there will some several nuggets for anyone and well worth the small price.

Buy this book for yourself of for someone else, you will not regret it.

I received this book as a gift from a non-sailor for Christmas. At a quick first glance and once-over I thought 'I already know this stuff' and the book sat on my bookshelf until now.

As a person who has raced dinghies, catamarans and cruised on sailboats up to 80 feet, I thought I had learned enough of the small details that come with time on the water. I knew, of course, that there is a great deal more to know but I never thought it would come in the form of a simple book.

This book has hundreds of nuggets of information that will make your life easier, more fun and help you look like you know what you are doing, even if you are new to boating.

And if you DO know what you are doing, this is still a great book. I guarantee that there will some several nuggets for anyone and well worth the small price.

Buy this book for yourself of for someone else, you will not regret it.

I received this book as a gift from a non-sailor for Christmas. At a quick first glance and once-over I thought 'I already know this stuff' and the book sat on my bookshelf until now.

As a person who has raced dinghies, catamarans and cruised on sailboats up to 80 feet, I thought I had learned enough of the small details that come with time on the water. I knew, of course, that there is a great deal more to know but I never thought it would come in the form of a simple book.

This book has hundreds of nuggets of information that will make your life easier, more fun and help you look like you know what you are doing, even if you are new to boating.

And if you DO know what you are doing, this is still a great book. I guarantee that there will some several nuggets for anyone and well worth the small price.

Buy this book for yourself of for someone else, you will not regret it.

Regardless if you are a sail-boater or power boater, Zora and David Aiken have written a must read, must own book for evry boater. Be it day sailing, cruising, travel, vacation, Good Boatkeeping has tip upon tip that actually makes all phases of boating more fun. The easy to read, well thought out book has helpful hints ranging from mechanics, to cooking, storage, on board entertainment...you think of it, they've thought it through and then some! It's a great gift for every boater.

This book has been such a gift! We travel the intracoastal waterways in Jacksonville/St.Augustine Florida all year long and found this book to be so helpful.

The charts are well organized and very reliable. Only a minimum number of aids were missing or changed in number. Some of the bridge info is a little dated but generally did not cause any navigational problems.

Very usable in it's small page spiral format. Flipping pages as one cruises north or south is easy, and takes very little space at the helm. The annotations indicating marina locations save looking in separate guides when a stopping point is desired. Some obvious side trips (e.g. Banana River) are omitted and would have helped increase usefulness if included.

Great book, you have to have them to run the intracoastal and it's MUCH cheaper at Amazon then in the bookstores - or boat stores!!

A must for traveling the Intercoastal Waterway. A very detailed illustrative set of information to successfully achieve your trip.

I could not help myself by buying this book and it did not disappoint. This was a fun, albeit short read, that helped me live somewhat vicariously through Mr Baumgartner during his travails of restoration and the joys of sailing the East Coast. I was a little sad that there was not more on the actual restoration given the title- it was more about the experience. It just left me cruising E-Bay 'Sailboats 20-27 feet'.... it's that kind of book.

I'm not a sailor but this book (a gift) has charmed me. Somehow, the boat, the man, his family, his tribulations and the art of navigation are so artfully described that I have become enamoured of all of the above! Anyone who has ever been seasick or obsessed with completing a project will find themselves turning pages here. . .

I enjoyed this book very much because it comes from a person who is clearly both a sailor and a writer. Much like Anthony Baily, author of "The Coast of Summer", Baumgartner writes in a way that lets me know that he is comfortable and knowledgable about being on the water, with a tiller in his hand and his eye on the luff of the main. This is also a good reference, because Baumgartner describes how he solved problems I either have encountered -- or am likely to. I'll dig this out often, to solve a problem or to let Baumgartner take me to sea again.

I've never wished to sail, but London Went To Sea with me aboard for the duration of my read. I found the book rewarding in its detail and in the grandness of its focussed vision. The author's style, with reminescenses of Mark Twain, Hemingway, and even Dickens, was fasinating and seductive.

I still feel no desire to actually participate in the experiences the author so delightly describes, but now can feel justified by having so closely experienced the joys and difficulties of the reality....which strongly suggests the high level of skill of the writer.

Joshua Slocum himself would have been enthalled.

Then read this book, a practical, thoughtful, honest, and gently humorous guide to the real pleasures and challenges of finding, sailing, and caring for your boat, as well as the delicate balance of man, nature, work, dreams, boat maintenance, friendship, marriage and family.
It's not just a how to book, but a well-written and wonderful reflection by an active and skilled sailor that explores restoration details, costs, safety, mishaps and joys on the water, with a fine, candid, and thoughtful eye.

A wonderful way to relax over a rainy weekend. If you've been to London, it will take you back. If you haven't, the tape will prepare you for when you do go. Powell livens up the tour with interesting, amusing, and startling facts and anecdotes. The contemporary and historical information, the accents, the readers, the mood - all make for a quick trip to the U.K. in one little box. Very much enjoyed it.

Great book. Tours are easy to follow and take you into some really great parts of London that even locals don't know. I got to school our host on Aldephi.

Having read London by Rutherfurd made the tours even better.

The huge and bustling metropolis of London does not reveal itself to the casual visitor. To discover its hidden wonders, you must investigate streets and alleyways on foot. Now with the LONDONWALKS auido guide, visitors to London can put on earphones and slip a LONDONWALKS tape into their portable cassette recorder and start walking, while they listen to the history, scandal, and intrigue of one of the most magnificent cities of Europe. Each of the four audio walking tours in this two-cassette package takes about two hours, or as long as a morning or aternoon. They are narrated by the English actress Jean Marsh.

Self-directed (and very explicit in terms of getting you around) this book is a wonderful find. If I want to re-think all the great times my friend and I had trekking through districts/neighborhoods, I don't go look at my photos... I grab this book. The gentleman who wrote it (at the time we visited) also led guided tours of the areas described in the book ..20 pounds! Do it yourself for the price of the book. Funny, informative, and definitely worth the bucks.

We also bought the New York Walks (Manhattan) and found it equally informative, although written by a bunch of people from the NY "Y". Hester Street, Lower East Side, Upper East Side, etc., etc. GREAT.

LONDONWALKS Audio tours was the high point of our quick trip to London last month. We did two of the four walks and now we must return to do the rest. We will be looking for more Sound Travel Audio Guides. What a great idea!

In a day and age of "bigger is better", Getchell makes the case (and I
must say quite well) for smaller is sweeter.

Oftentimes I will pass on a book because of it's copyright date, assuming
the info in it is now dated and there must be "newer" and better tomes
out there. Yet this one is timeless and shall remain so.

When I bought my first boat roughly 8 years ago, I came across this book in
a bookshop and figured that I could use a little edification on boating. I
couldn't put it down. What I found was a simple large-trade paperback
that gave you enough info on almost any facet of boating as relates to
small (18' or less) outboard boats. Think of it as the Swiss-Army knife
of running/fixing/touring/revamping/etc a small boat. Why aluminum v.
fiberglass? What hull designs work best where? How should I set up my
boat to do boat camping? What are the ins/outs of trailering and boat
launches? How can I tell if that used model is beat to heck? How do I
navigate? What do i do when the weather turns on me? Etc.

I recently purchased an outboard boat again. I also bought this
book, again. There aren't many books I would buy twice.

Buy it, you'll like it!

Plain, outspoken, wonderfully opinionated and varied accounts of the what, how and where of small craft. For this blue water sailor and sea kayaker, Getchell's book is a bible. Even a non motor head could understand, and enjoy the 'how ' of operating, buying, cruising, and sleeping on and with a small outboard under twenty feet. This book has now been through too many hands and is worn.....

We don't have a boat yet, but have a lake nearby so are contemplating it. This book is quite interesting as it describes different types of boats (runabout, bass boat, etc.) and what to consider before purchasing one.
Then it has lots of info on handling a boat, like how to run an inlet or docking and anchoring. It's a little scary seeing how much there is to learn about boats and motors. The info is quite practical on the proper load distribution in the boat and motor angle adjustment and how it affects performance. It covers maintaining, repairing and even towing the boat (selecting a trailer and tow vehicle).

Covers a wide variety of topics (e.g. selecting, powering, equiping, trailering, maintaining, and sailing) a small (12 to 20 foot)power boat. Excellent for boat owners or those considering buying a boat. I could not find anything as sensible and comprehensive in any of the local libraries

Out of all the boating books that I've read over the last few months, nothing comes close to matching Getchell's book.

It is replete with useful information that covers the entire gamut of outboard boating. For example, it was from this book that I learned about the advantages of a portable trailer lightbar. Furthermore, I used the guidelines he presented to make my own.

Experienced boaters may find some of the material a little too basic, but I'd wager that just about everyone will come away with a few pearls of wisdom.

Happy boating.