Product Description
From one of the world's most respected sailors-the knowledge and secrets every sailor needs

Peter Isler, two-time America's Cup winner, has sailed in and won hundreds of races over the last forty years. In that time, he has acquired a vast array of knowledge about sailing techniques and tactics, not to mention a boatload or two of entertaining stories along the way. In this book, he brings them all together into a single guide to help you make the most of your time on the water, whether you're going for a leisurely sail with friends or competing to win.

• Filled with tips and secrets every sailor craves, from the international competitor to the weekend dinghy sailor
• Includes wisdom and advice gleaned from Peter's time spent sailing with top international sailors, from America's Cup veterans Ted Turner, Dennis Conner and Russell Coutts to and three-time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie
• Covers a range of important sailing topics, including understanding the inner game, leading a team, reading the wind, preparing your boat (and yourself), and much more

Filled with information that will help you become a better sailor, Peter Isler's Little Blue Book of Sailing Secrets, Tactics, Tips, and Observations is an invaluable source of guidance you'll rely on every time you set sail. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Sailing by Peter Heaton
Sailing offers everything a sport should offer - fun, excitement and satisfaction.
This handbook caters to the beginner. It describes the technique of choosing, buying, fitting out, sailing, and storing a yacht, in detail and in simple language. In addition there are shanties, salty stories, sea-lore, instructions on subjects ranging from weather forecasting to the cure of sea-sickness, and the whole is profusely illustrated with line drawings and photographs.

Quick Review Sailing Peter Heaton
Great book to learn sailing fundamentals. Old classic, should be on every sailers bookshelf. ... Read more

Product Description
Publication measures 8 x 11 in. Lists the names of American merchant and recreational vessels documented in the Marine Safety Information System (MSIS) on June 30, 1994. V. 1 provides for each listing its tonnage, dimensions in feet, if it's self-propelled, if it's designed for sail, material of hull, year and place of build, type of service, the use it's licensed for, name of managing owner, and its home port. V. 2 contains an index of managing owners. 3 books ... Read more

Product Description
Shows a girl learning the fundamentals of sailing with the help of an adult friend. Identifies and explains the parts of a sailboat and mentions various professional sailing competitions. ... Read more

Product Description
Publication measures 8 x 11 in. Lists the names of American merchant and recreational vessels documented in the Marine Safety Information System (MSIS) on June 30, 1994. V. 1 provides for each listing its tonnage, dimensions in feet, if it's self-propelled, if it's designed for sail, material of hull, year and place of build, type of service, the use it's licensed for, name of managing owner, and its home port. V. 2 contains an index of managing owners. 3 books ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Seamanship textbook
Since i started sailing 10 years ago, I've read every book on seamanship I could get my hands on. The majority of books are introductions or aimed at super tanker Captains. This is an in depth look at seamanship skills, and the science behind them. A bit dated now, mainly in the electronics and radio section, it is still a marvel. Available for under $2.00, it is the bargain of a lifetime. it is a wonderful book, worth a lot more, but available now for less than a set of tell tales.

A must have for sailors!
This book is packed with very good info. If you are a sailing family like us, or just like boating you will find something that interests you in this book.It's so good we keep it on our sailboat for quick reference.

Authoritative
Don Dodds explains in a very readable no-nonsense manner the science behind anchoring, weather, navigation and just about everything else for the serious mariner. At first the science was a little daunting but understanding proved utterly rewarding.

This is an invaluable reference book by a very experienced sailor that will remain permanently in the boat library. ... Read more

Product Description
"An excellent and practical step-by-step manual to help prepare you for the cruising lifestyle and to entertain you as you learn." --Cruising World

More than two decades ago, Tom and Mel Neale moved onto a boat full-time with their two daughters. Now their neighborhood is anywhere they choose to anchor. Here's all the information needed to follow in their footsteps, including choosing a boat, earning a living, raising and educating kids, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Not for beginners
This is a comprehensive book about boat living that is for readers who already know boats and want to transition to living full time and cruising. Its focus is on cruising the east coast.

I picked up the book because I have always been interested in living aboard a boat, but it is not for beginners. I don't have the boat experience to make what I read meaningful. It does give you a sense of what boat living is like, and it's interesting to read. The information is gathered from many years living aboard a boat and would be of great use to those who are ready for it.

better books out there
I have read a few books on the subject, mostly addressed to living on a sailboat, and this is like most of them,ignoring the differences from the costs and realities of living aboard a power or sailboat.Amazon sells an e-book that is actually as it gives a step by step review of both types(sail and power) and the costs, expectations and other things to consider before and after making the decision.

Excellent resource for anyone contemplating the liveaboard or cruising lifestyle.
I found this book to be an excellent source of information.My wife and I plan on joining the liveaboard community in the next couple of years.The Neale family's experience provided a great perspective for us as we get closer to entering a new lifestyle.

Tom Rocks
Tom Neale tells it like it is. Cruising( repairing your boat in nice places)great book.

This book effectively cured my desire to be a live aboard cruiser
You use the saying "all in the same boat" when you're with at least one other person and you find yourself in a not-so-good situation, but you're stuck there, so you grit your teeth and say, "We're all in the same boat here, so let's make the best of it."That pretty much sums up the feeling I got about living aboard a boat full time, i.e. cruising.It sucks, but if you're really determined, you'll probably survive it.

The perfect example of the way this book is written is the "Dollars and Sense" chapter (chapter 5).The back cover of the book proclaims that it will show you how to "Earn a living, and hold onto the money" while cruising.Out of over 350 pages, the money chapter is a meager 13 pages long.And as an added bonus, most of those pages are all about your expenses:marinas, insurance (both boat and health), clothes, etc.Then the author tells you how it almost never works to keep your old job ashore, so just forget about that.After starting the chapter by saying that 2-4 people cruising need $20-35k per year, he literally spends 1.5 pages on how you might make some money.Even this 1.5 pages wastes paragraphs on how other cruisers have no money either, so don't expect them to pay you for any services.The best bet, according to the author, is to get odd jobs ashore, like waitering, fast food and secretarial work!I'm sure I don't need to tell you that these are not high-paying jobs.In fact, you'll probably find yourself hovering somewhere around $8/hour, and at that rate, you'd need to work over 40 hours/week to make the $20k per year he says you'll need!How does that fit into the idea of a life, living aboard your boat, anchored in the Bahamas?

Now, making money seems to me to be a rather important subject that deserved more time.As much as it sucks, money is a requirement of life these days.But the author decides to go into much more detail on other topics.For instance, while only 13 pages were spent on how to make money, he spends 25 pages on how to anchor your boat.All I could think while reading this chapter was, "How will I ever have the money to afford a boat, let alone an anchor, let alone getting the chain galvanized every three years?"Of course, I only had time to wonder about affording my anchor rode when I wasn't reading the extended sections on the fact that your rode will get chaffed and break when you least expect it, or another cruiser's anchor will come loose, letting his boat crash into your boat- after which, you won't be able to get ahold of your insurance company to get money for the repair, and even if you do, where will you get your boat repaired in the middle of nowhere?

Chapter after chapter of all the things that can go wrong - and will!Just you wait!Even the chapter on scuba diving and fishing (which the author had lead me to believe that he liked, so I thought it might be a good time) quickly deteriorated into a discussion about what to do when the sharks show up.Oh, and don't eat fish X Y and Z because you'll get ciguatera poisoning.And thinking about a nice walk on an isolated beach, kicking your feet in the surf?Well, watch out for all those little creatures in the sand that can puncture/cut your feet, and if such a wound does get infected, don't expect to find good medical care anywhere around.And did you know that a broken off bit of coral can live and thrive in your wound?Excellent!

There was one - ONE - chapter that made cruising sound at all appealing:the last one, chapter 23, "Our Neighborhood."13 pages of relative happiness where the author tells you about cool things you can see and do.

I'm giving this book 3 stars because it does have a lot of information in it.A lot.Information that I'm sure it would be good to think about, consider, and prepare for in advance.However, I do think that the author could have written the information in such a way that everything didn't seem, well, unappealing.Isn't cruising supposed to be fun - at least on some level?Otherwise, why do it?On the other hand, perhaps it's good that he writes it this way, because now I can cross that idea off my list. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed for sailors who know the basics, Sail Better will help you master your general skills, operate and protect your boat more efficiently, learn the fundamentals of racing, and much more, you'll find detailed sections on:

-Cruising: sailing with children, dropping anchor, dinghies, sails and sail control, techniques, working the boat, maintenance and storage

-Performance Sailing: turning a boat, planning a race

-Emergency Procedures: signals and equipment to summon help, rescue techniques, and a first aid checklist
... Read more

Product Description
The position of First Mate is often less than glamorous, especially when serving with a strong-willed captain who has more boyish enthusiasm than organizational skills. After 20 years of sailing with 'Captain My Way', Joy Smith shares the hard-won secrets of keeping both boat and crew in shipshape.

From packing and planning to enjoying life aboard and ashore, The Perfect First Mate helps boaters streamline tasks and maximize efficiency, safety, and comfort while leaving plenty of time for pleasure. Contents include storage issues, moving and sleeping comfortably below decks, keeping the cabin warm/cool, counteracting boat odor, mold, and mildew, and dealing with trash, laundry, and marine toilets. One entire section is devoted to food: provisioning and storage, equipping the galley, and cooking, with original recipes included. Smith also provides an in-depth discussion of how to protect against the elements, avoid injury, and deal with the logistics of sailing, from planning, navigation, and weather to performing First Mate duties on deck. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

INTERTAINING AND INFORMATION
An intertaining, but informational book, written by a woman with a great sense of humor; someone I'd love to meet.

A waste of money
When I read the title of this book, I had to purchase it for my girlfriend. She loves boating, and wants to be more "hands on", but sometimes my teaching style is not the best! After reading the book, I was embarrassed to give it to her.


I was hoping for a book that would offer a woman's perspective on navigation, docking, assisting in tricky situations, the use and tying of the correct knot, throwing a line...you know, all of the important stuff that a first mate should know. What I found in this book was a cutely written manual on how to pack for a trip, clean the kitchen and head, stow gear, prepare meals and entertain guests. If your "first mate" prefers these mundane tasks over the enjoyment of actually participating in the thrill of boating, this book is for her (Although, I can't imagine anyone who has lived to adulthood without a maid not already knowing these things). The cover photo shows a woman studying a navigational chart on deck. Don't believe it! This book is straight out of the 1950's.

Useful, but more towards weekend yachting.
I brought this book to help me understand how a woman feels about cruising, but found the orientation more towards weekend and holiday sailing.
That said the author offers some real insight into what is important to a woman on a boat.

The Perfect first Mate
Congratulations to the author. Thanks to Joy Smith, I can relax more while packing for our cruising vacations. By sharing her experience in boating it has made preparation decisions more efficient and economical for me. I saw myself in some of her situations and I had a good laugh. I was also surprised to know that there is more than one "Captain Myway"!!!!

The Perfect First Mate is a "perfect" book for all boaters
The " The Perfect First Mate" is an exceptional written guide that benefits new and existing boaters.It is practical, up-to-date, and has great ideas for making boating life enjoyable and easy!I also appreciate the subdued humor throughout the book. I recommened this book to any boater who wants to spend more time enjoying boating, and less time with worrying about the "grunt work". ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive third volume in Jimmy Cornell's acclaimed and successful World Cruising series is the ultimate authority on boats, gear, and techniques for long-distance cruising under sail.

Distilled from surveys of 15,000 sailors by the world's leading promoter of blue-water voyaging, it answers in detail the most frequently asked questions on world cruising, including what boats people are sailing, what navigation and seamanship practices work best, what equipment is really essential, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A statistical report. Name misleading.
I was disappointed buying and reading this book. From its name, I was sure that the book tells you what BEST WORK AT SEA. I found it gives statistics of many boaters most of them amateurs, using this or that equipment. Implying, that what all amateurs and others are doing is the best. I bought the book to know what Jimmy cornell thinks is best. The problem with amateurs, and I am one of them, that we get fludded by info from manufacturers, and "Friends". There is a lack of professional advise in these areas.

Dan

Well worth the money!!!
I am very happy with this book. It is well written and I have confidence in the author.

Zaggats of cruising
I am not a world cruiser and have only ventured a few miles from shore and then not too far from the other side of the sound within which we sail every summer.This book was a disappointment.It is basically a distillation of the periodic surveys the author conducts of people who cruise in small yachts either on their own or as part of an offshore rally such as the ARC.The problem for me is that the book amounts to a collection of advice, not from people who necessarily know that much about cruising, but instead from those it was convenient for Cornell to interview.It's like a Zaggat guide, filled with lots of pepole's opinions but not necessarily people who know anything about food.Frankly, I don't know enough to judge whether this interviewees ideas are right on, or that interviewees ideas are nonsense-- that's not my point.I was looking for a single authoritative voice, not a report on what a collection of people with the funds and gumption to cross oceans happen to believe.This one is going back.

Excellent source of information
Cornell offers his own viewpoints as well as those of others, does a good job of labeling facts vs. options, and answers a lot of questions I had about cruising. Safety equipment, storms, piracy, dangerous areas, firearms, and communications are all covered well. Common equipment failures are given, along with statistics to back them up. For example, how often does the mast of a cuising yacht really fail, and how? ... Read more

Product Description
Exploring inland waterways is one of the most popular forms of activity holiday in Britain. You can drift through miles of glorious countryside, investigate fascinating relics of former industries and, not least, marvel at the feats of engineering - the locks, tunnels and aqueducts - that carry the canals throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Getting onto the water couldn't be simpler: you just hire a boat. But what sort of boat? How do you handle and maintain it, and how do you manoeuvre it through locks, tunnels and swing bridges? If you get really keen how should you go about buying your own boat?

Canal and river cruising answers all these questions and more. Written by an expert, and produced on collaboration with The Inland Waterways Association, it is a concise, authoritative guide to the practical aspects of cruising canals and navigable rivers. It gives you all the information you need to ensure that you and your crew have a great time, wherever you go on the waterway network. ... Read more

Product Description
Publication measures 8 x 11 in. Lists the names of American merchant and recreational vessels documented in the Marine Safety Information System (MSIS) on June 30, 1994. V. 1 provides for each listing its tonnage, dimensions in feet, if it's self-propelled, if it's designed for sail, material of hull, year and place of build, type of service, the use it's licensed for, name of managing owner, and its home port. V. 2 contains an index of managing owners ... Read more

Product Description
This survey on world cruising compares the trends and changes that have taken place in the world cruising scene and provides practical advice and information for long-distance cruisers. It examines the sizes and types of boat cruisers now in use, the routes chosen and why, electrical and electronic gear installed, communications with the shore, formalities worldwide and the human aspects of cruising. There is also a section of answers to frequently-asked questions. ... Read more

Product Description

Spark a passion for sailng and the outdoors in your child

Ever since humankind began seafaring, boats and shoreline adventures have produced sturdy, independent, creative, self-reliant kids. From the author of the bestselling Complete Sailor and proud father of a boy mariner, here is the book for all parents who want to introduce their kids to the world of boats, boating, sailing, the shore, and the sea. It provides dozens of adventures and activities for kids, and a plethora of projects for you and your kids to do together.

Topics range from how-to to fanciful, in random organization so that each excursion into the book turns up unrelated gems on facing pages. The Anti-Pirate Potato Cannon encourages your kid to get outdoors and on the water, to build things, to try things, to cultivate their curiosity, to learn self-reliance, and to get a giant dose of the magic of seaside adventure.

• Loaded with things for kids to do--build a rope ladder; build a Huck Finn raft from PVC pipe; catch and fillet a fish; go crabbing; skip a stone; body surf; waterski on bare feet; chart a cove; learn the great sea battles; build a sandcastle; navigate; win a sailboat race; paddle a sea kayak; and a whole lot more.
• Designed to cultivate a kid's curiosity about the natural world.

Topics include:
Where's the wind coming from; How high is that wave; An anti-pirate potato cannon; Brew your own biofuel;Make a dugout canoe; Build a Huck Finn raft from PVC pipe; Skip a stone; Build a sandcastle; Carve a paddle; Row a boat Escape a rip current; Go kite sailing; Navigate by the stars; Carve a half-hull model; What's on the bottom; A journey to the abyss; Don't wrestle an alligator; A dinghy camper; How to dive with mask and snorkel; Build a motorboat from cardboard tubes; Body surf; Recognize ships; Discipline in the Age of Sail: cat-o-nine tails, hanging from the yardarms; Steer without a rudder; Chapter 25. Tie up to a dock; Reading a lines drawing; Whatever floats your boat; Play nautical capture the flag;Paddle a sea kayas; Build a rowboat; Signal across the water; Capture plankton in a net; Tie knots and splices; Make a rope ladder; Make a chart of your favorite cove; Throw your own beach clam bake; Make a catboat-race weather vane; Fight off a shark; Heave a monkey's fist; Ski on your own bare feet; Fillet a fish... and cook it on your engine; Your own ditty bag; A proper sailor's knife; How to stand up on a PWC; How to get up on a wakeboard; Go clamming; Build a human pyramid on water skis; How to poop in a boat: How marine heads work; Diver's tube raft; Submarine a PWC; Survive a sinking; Finding east or west All you need is the north star; The bosun's pipe; Ships in a bottle; Five sea battles that changed history; Use the five secrets of winning a sailboat race; Make a viewing bucket to see underwater; Cast a fly; Survive a hurricane; The Eskimo roll; Stow that chart; Goggles from a soda bottle; Find fish fast; Repair a sail; Whalewatching; Go on a plastics hunt; Don't be left in the dark; Pets at sea: how to train your cat or dog for boating; The green and clean boat; Ride the disk; Go crabbing; Careers at sea; Pass your boating license exam; Origins of sea terms; The best way to coil rope; Carve a slalom turn; Keeping watch; Throwing a cast net; Keep what you catch - start an aquarium; Heroes of the Sea: Shackleton, Slocum, Day, Knox-Johnston, Heyerdahl, etc.; Books & Stories (Three Men in a Boat, Crunch and Des, Riddle of the Sands, Swallows and Amazons); Stage paintball sea battles; Read the messages in clouds; Get unlost in the fog: sager forecaster; Know how to handle waves; Semaphore signals; Glacier surfing; Great voyages by young mariners;Make a weather station

Customer Reviews (5)

Outside and off the computer-hooray!!
"Dangerous Book For Boys Goes to the Beach," or boating, or fishing, or anything else to do with kids being around the water. Like the other book, this one is a random collection of things to do and know. But unlike "Dangerous" the stuff in this book is a lot cooler and way more fun. At least my son thinks so. There's much more to do and make, and it really seems to be geared to kids--not the parents who buy these kinds of books hoping to get their children away from video games (which I must admit that I'm one and is why I bought the book). It is also written with a kid sense of humor (there are 50 phrases for throwing up when sea sick).
In my 12 year old son's opinion the best parts are the Huck Finn PVC raft, a boat made out of cardboard carpet tubes, turning a jet ski into a submarine, alligator wrestling, and using your cat to predict weather.
When I bought it I was hoping he would put down his Playstation and wasn't expecting much. But with the warm weather now here my son really got into it. Unlike "Dangerous" this book worked.

Dumb title
Would not have bought it as I"m not interested in potato cannons, but a friend had it at his house and my daughter picked it up and is now obsessed with it. So I bought one. She has read and reread a story about kids walking across the ocean floor after the ocean had been drained (not sure why or how) and it describes the terrain. She's into marine biology at school and the book shows how to build a plankton gathering net. Warning to parents: the book is filled with things like this that kids are supposed to build. But you'll probably get roped in to doing them. "We" are also making a barometer from a soda bottle and brewing up bio fuel.

It's the first book she's ever seemed to enjoy. My friend's kids like it too. But it's only worthwhile if you live near water or have a boat.

Much better than Television!
For people living on or near the water, this is a great "Encyclopedia" of projects, that will entice your children to leave the television shows and get outside and PLAY!As a "Senior Citizen", it is wonderful to see authors promoting activities such as these.Every home, cottage or camp on the water should have one of these books available for reference material.We plan to put one in our rental cottage for guests to use and enjoy.Thank you for so many great ideas.We can't wait for our grandchildren to arrive and try them out.

Excellent primer for budding boaters
With the title and Hardy Boys typeface from the 1930s, I expected this book to be kind of hokey and filled with things like how to hoist a pirate's flag or the best video games to play on board your dad's boat. But the writers do a great job in actually filling the pages with useful information about how to get into boating, and how to improve skills once you start. Illustrations, photos and other diagrams add to the text, which is generally very well-written. The writers are longtime boating writers, and experts in their fields.

My wife, who is not a boater, was impressed by the amount of content and the professional, easy-access layout. I think it'd make a good gift for Father's Day, yes, but also for the aspiring mariner who not only wants to build a potato cannon but also maybe even his own rowboat. Good for girls, and even adults as an interesting bite-sized way to get into the sport. Nice hard-cover design. Definitely recommended.

Great Father's Day gift!
First of all this is a very nice looking book. Most important, is the fact that the content is both fun and interesting as many water subjects are covered, including water safety. You can tell the authors' have many years of experience on the water and are willing to share their knowledge for the edification of the average person, or just to remind the reader of things that they/we have forgotten over the years.
If you are looking for a gift, or an up coming Father's Day gift, this mini Tome is perfect!

I really do not have any criticisms, as the Anti-Pirate book surpassed my expectations and surprisingly is not a light weight read, made up of filler, as some books tend to be.
It's chock-full of information.

Did I mention, the cover looks great? ... Read more

Product Description
This cruising guide to the entire French waterway system has probably tempted more people to explore the beautiful waterways of France than any other book. A bestseller for many years, it is the essential planning guide for anyone wanting to cruise through the stunning scenery of the French waterways. It is packed with photographs and updated information and advice on suitable and unsuitable boats, equipment, cost of living, waterway signals, weather advice, stopping points, local facilities, distances, heights and depths, tunnel lengths, and even the local wines of the region. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A thoroughly "user friendly" guide for vacationers
Now in its tenth edition which is revised by David Jefferson, Through The French Canals by Philip Bristow deftly describes and accessibly illustrates 39 scenic routes through waterways ranging from the English Channel to the Mediterranean. Weather information, Hatles and ports de plaisance, waterway signals, recommend-ations for suitable boats, information on locks, the cost of living, cruiser hire, even French vocabularies and conversion tables, fill the pages of this informative and thoroughly "user friendly" guide for vacationers and boaters looking to enjoy a grand ride along the inland waterways of France.

Through the French Canals
Although very detailed, this book is geared more toward those taking frequent or extended trips on the canals of France. It's also aimed at boat owners (primarily those coming from Great Britain)as opposed to vacation boat renters. The detail is more on the navigation end of things. I guess I was looking for something geared more for the casual tourist who rents a boat for a week or so and needs details on towns, shops and services along the canals. ... Read more

Product Description
The Essentials of Living Aboard educates both dreamers and explorers with information about this wonderful and rewarding lifestyle. Mark Nicholas has combined his experience of life aboard with the advice of other liveaboards, marina owners, technicians, boat manufacturers and advocates in order to detail the challenges and offer real advice for success. This lifestyle, typically thought to be out of reach or "for other people," is now available to all who dream.
Essentials explains, among other things how to:
•Figure out your needs •Choose the right boat •Buy your boat •Choose the right marina •Prepare for the lifestyle •Outfit your boat •Plan for all climates •Forecast your costs •and more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

The only book you'll ever need about living aboard a boat
A must read for anyone who is considering purchasing a boat whether they want to live aboard full time or as an occasional sailor.The facts in this book are fascinating...many issues I didn't even realize needed to be considered before making such a purchase.Nicholas has really covered every aspect of boat ownership and choosing this kind of lifestyle.Concise, well written and easy to read, it is everything one needs to know to prepare for and live aboard a boat.

a useful introductory review of the liveaboard lifestyle
I have no experience in boating except for occasionally riding ferries and cruise ships, and I live in a landlocked area with few boats. However, I decided to read this book after several vacations in coastal areas, where I saw a lot of marinas and yachts, and this piqued my interest in this topic. And for me, the book met its intended purpose, in giving a comprehensive overview of the "liveaboard" lifestyle, as well as an introduction to the topic of boat ownership. The information presented is very basic, which of course was fine for me, but I imagine it might seem obvious or already-assumed knowledge for readers with a lot of boating experience. As other reviewers have noted, the book draws heavily on the author's experiences in a Boston marina, meaning there is a lot of information presented on coping with cold weather.

For me, the most interesting part of the book was the estimated costs section about mid-way through. Using five widely disparate examples of boats and liveaboard situations, the author systematically reviews all the categories and subcategories of costs that one could incur with boat ownership, especially buying the boat and owning it for the first year. This was really eye-opening - definitely shows that the purchase price is only the very beginning! Some of the listed expenses are not ones I would have thought of right away, as a person unfamiliar with the topic (e.g. new sails really cost $2000 - $5000?). Only one example of a liveaboard powerboat is included in the cost surveys; I would have preferred to see another in this category included, perhaps a different size or price - if only because I have seen so many powerboats in my coastal travels.

I liked the author's sections on safety, particularly the hazards that snow and ice present for docks, getting on boats, etc. I'm sure this focus stems from his Boston location.

Overall, a good survey of the topic, and one I would be willing to recommend, especially for someone with little or no previous experience with boating.

I'm moving back to land
What a lousy book.This is nothing but
babbling. The writer offers nothing
of substance.I realized I was taken
at about page three or four.Then I
read that the writer is a lawyer!A
lying cheating lawyer?And his book
sucks!Don't buy this book, save yourself
from another lawyer joke.

Excellent resource for dockside liveaboards
I bought this book with some others on the topic of liveaboard cruising.This book actually focuses on living aboard at a marina so it is a little different than the cruising focus that I am researching.That being said, this is a well written, logically organized book with lots of great information, useful dockside and underway.The author is a lawyer and he devotes an entire chapter to "Government Oversight."I learned a lot about the rights (or lack of rights) the authorities grant to liveaboards.

As much about buying a boat...
It's a good book but it's as much about buying the right boat, as it is about living on one. Overall a good read but leaves the practicality out a little. Covers living in the colder Northeast and not in warmer climes such as Florida or San Diego. ... Read more